The Office of the Utah Attorney General, Education Division, is seeking an attorney to assist in providing legal services to the Utah Board of Higher Education and Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education (“Office”) and engaging in other responsibilities as assigned by the Office of the Utah Attorney General. The position is located in Salt Lake City, Utah. A hybrid telework arrangement may be allowed upon request by the employee and authorization of the Attorney General’s Office.
Higher education legal work is diverse in subject matter and allows for expertise in many topic areas. The successful candidate should have exceptional legal research, written and advocacy skills, outstanding legal acumen, a willingness to learn diverse areas of law, the ability to effectively communicate information and ideas, and excellent interpersonal skills.
A minimum of five years of legal experience is required (state or federal clerkships may help satisfy this requirement). All education and/or employment law or related experience will be considered and counts towards the minimum requirements. Litigation, compliance, or other in-house experience will also be considered. Membership in the Utah State Bar and qualification for admission to the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah are required. This position is a career service position upon successful completion of a one-year probationary period. The salary is commensurate with experience in conjunction with the career service matrix.
Responsibilities
The responsibilities of this position may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Provide written and oral legal advice to the Office of the Commissioner on legal issues related to institutions of higher education, which may include, but are not limited to data privacy issues, personnel issues, contracts, state/federal law compliance, and associated litigation.
Litigate matters not covered by State Risk Management.
Conduct or represent the Office at formal and informal hearings and/or trials, as well as in grievances, negotiations, and/or other matters.
Conduct legal research and analysis, gather evidence, respond to incoming questions or complaints, explain policy and procedures, and/or facilitate resolution as requested by the Office’s administration or general counsel.
Advise the Office on data privacy issues.
Conduct legal review of Board policies considered for adoption by the Board.
Draft and negotiate contracts on behalf of the Office and Board.
Oversee the amendment, development, and implementation of Utah administrative rules and the administrative rulemaking process.
Review GRAMA requests and provide legal guidance in response and coordination.
Provide hearing officer or investigation services if necessary.
Provide legal review, analysis, best practice advice and counsel for a wide range of issues to minimize risks typically associated with institutions and systems of higher education.
Provide other legal services as directed by the Board’s Counsel.
Qualifications
(Includes knowledge, skills, and abilities required upon entry into position and trainable after entry into position)
Ability to communicate information and ideas clearly, and concisely, in writing; read and understand information presented in writing
Knowledgeable access to, understanding, interpretation and application of case and statutory laws, rules, regulations, policies and/or procedures
Speak clearly, concisely and effectively; listen to, and understand, information and ideas as presented verbally
Possess and maintain a working knowledge of pertinent legal processes and procedures
Ability to evaluate information against a set of standards
Use logic to analyze or identify underlying principles, reasons, or facts associated with information or data to draw conclusions regarding laws, legal codes, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, the democratic political process, and legislative history
Perform legal research using case law and appropriate techniques
Familiarity with laws governing access to public and private records (Government Records Access and Management Act)
Skilled decision making and problem solving by using logic to identify key facts, explore alternatives, and propose quality solutions
Address client matters and client representatives in a manner which shows sensitivity, tact, and professionalism
Provide consultation and/or expert advice or testimony
Working knowledge of rules of evidence and civil and/or criminal procedure
Ability to interpret and apply legal decisions and identify current and emerging trends in interpretation
Skilled in the principles, theories, and practices of judicial or administrative law
Application Process
Applications must be submitted online through the Government Jobs website. For more information and to apply, visit the following link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/utah/jobs/5119928/assistant-attorney-general-higher-education
