General Counsel/Director of Government Affairs - Fort Valley State University

FORT VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY (FVSU), a state and land-grant institution of the University System of Georgia, invites applications for the position of General Counsel/Director of Government Affairs.

FVSU, the only 1890 land-grant university in Georgia, is a comprehensive institution that provides an education to over 2,800 students including graduate students. The university is located in the town of Fort Valley in Peach County, the original site of the state's peach industry. Its 1,365-acre (5.52 km2) campus is Georgia's second-largest public university in area.

Fort Valley State University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate against applicants, students, or employees on the basis of race, gender, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, or marital or veteran status.

JOB SUMMARY

This position assesses university legal liability and regulatory compliance, manages the employee grievance process, and manages external disputes. The General Counsel/Director of Government Affairs is the principal liaison to local, state, and federal government and seeks to develop strong, collaborative relationships with policymakers including members and staff of the Georgia General Assembly and the University System of Georgia Legal Affairs staff. The General Counsel also provides legal counsel and guidance to the President, the executive leadership team, and other members of the University community on a broad range of legal matters relevant to the institution including compliance, contracts and grant management, employment, general business law policies and procedures, laws pertaining to students, real estate transactions and other laws and regulations. In addition to working with the senior leadership team of the university, this position reports directly to the President.

MAJOR DUTIES

• Drafts and reviews legal documents, policies, and procedures.
• Reviews Board of Regents policies to ensure university compliance.
• Consults with faculty, staff, and administrators regarding administrative and legal matters.
• Responds to external inquiries, including open records requests.
• Assesses and makes recommendations regarding legal liability and regulatory compliance issues.
• Manages the employee grievance process.
• Manages university strategy for strengthening relationships with elected officials and government agencies, and increasing their understanding of and support for FVSU.
• Review and monitor bills introduced by the Georgia General Assembly.
• Meet regularly throughout the year with legislators to maintain productive working relationships between the FVSU and state government.
• Manages University System of GA (USG) FVSU Ethics Line
• Performs related duties.

KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED BY THE POSITION

• Knowledge of Board of Regents policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of substantive and procedural law related to legal relationships and governmental compliance.
• Knowledge of Open Record Act and Freedom of Information Act requirements.
• Knowledge of procedural processes and procedures.
• Knowledge of institutional practices.
• Knowledge of major areas of law and issues impacting higher education organizations including Title IX of the Education Amendments Act, the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), contract administration, construction and real estate law, licensing, compliance and regulatory issues, privacy and data protection, intellectual property, employment, and athletics.
• Knowledge of Georgia governmental advocacy rules and requirements.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal legislative and executive process, including budget and appropriations processes working knowledge of higher education bill tracking systems.
• Skilled in legal research and writing.
• Skilled in persuasive oral and written communication.
• Skilled in the operation of computers and job-related software programs.
• Skilled in decision making and problem solving.
• Skilled in interpersonal relations and in dealing with the public.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

The President assigns work in terms of department goals and objectives. The supervisor reviews work through conferences, reports, and observation of department activities.

GUIDELINES

Guidelines include federal and state law as well as Board of Regents and university policies and procedures. These guidelines require judgment, selection, and interpretation in application.

COMPLEXITY/SCOPE OF WORK

• The work consists of varied duties related to the provision of legal services in support of university operations. The diverse needs of constituents contribute to the complexity of the position.
• The purpose of this position is to provide legal advice and services in support of the work of the university. Success in this position ensures university compliance with state and federal regulations.
• The work consists of developing strategies for strengthening relationships with elected officials and government agencies,and increasing their understanding of and support for FVSU.

CONTACTS

• Contacts are typically with co-workers, other university employees, peers at other colleges and universities, University System of Georgia representatives, the Georgia Attorney General and Assistant Attorney Generals, District Attorneys and other external legal counsel; federal, state, and local elected officials, vendors, representatives of federal agencies, and members of the public.
• Contacts are typically to provide services, to give or exchange information, to resolve problems, to motivate or influence persons, or to justify, defend or negotiate matters.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/ WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The work is typically performed while sitting at a desk or table. The employee occasionally lifts light objects.
• The work is typically performed in an office.

SUPERVISORY AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY

Supervises 2 full-time Compliance Coordinator positions:

1. Compliance Coordinator/ Title IX Coordinator & Contract Administrator
2. Compliance Coordinator/Student Conduct Investigator & FERPA Privacy Officer

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduation from an accredited school of law.
• Five years of related experience required (preferably in higher education).
• Must be a member in good standing of the State Bar of Georgia or obtain membership within one year of date of hire.

USG Core Values Statement

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.