General Description of Position:

The College Counsel serves as legal counsel for College representatives in the course of employment and assists the Vice President for Legal and Public Affairs and outside counsel in advising the President, Board of Trustees, Chancellors, and other executive officers of the College. The College Counsel attends the meetings of the President’s Extended Cabinet, Executive Council, State Board of Trustee Meetings, as invited, and provides legal guidance for all aspects of College operations.

Major Responsibilities:

In addition to the Vice President of Legal and Public Affairs and outside counsel, represents the College, President, and Board of Trustees on legal matters.

Manages College responses to litigation, legal investigations, and other legal proceedings.

Advises the President, Board of Trustees, Vice Presidents, and senior administrators on matters pertaining to applicable litigation, laws, regulations, and other duties under the law.

Maintains expertise and provides legal guidance, updates, reviews, and recommendations on existing and evolving laws (including statutes and regulations) and legal trends involving all aspects of College academic and non-academic operations. Such areas include, but are not limited to, labor and employment law, administrative and constitutional law, contracts, privacy, academic and research regulations, construction and real property regulations, intellectual property, and applicability of state and federal laws.

Along with the Vice President of Legal and Public Affairs, coordinates the engagement and work product of outside counsel and designated legal representatives and insurers, where applicable.

Manages and conducts factual investigations related to threatened, potential or pending litigation.

Handles real estate transactions for the College.

Manages and responds to Access to Public Records Act Requests.

Performs review of contracts.

Serves as a member of the College’s Tax Intercept Committee.

Reviews, coordinates, and responds to notices of tort claims filed against the College.

Represents the College, when appropriate, in small claims cases and in non-complicated litigation in state and federal court.

Represents the College, when appropriate, in administrative proceedings, including but not limited to internal grievance hearings.

Assists with management, review, investigation and responses to complaints filed with the College’s anonymous whistleblower system, Ethicspoint, and make periodic reports to the State Board of Trustees on matters raised through the system; manages outside counsel with EthicsPoint reports are investigated externally.

Assists in management, investigations, and responses to complaints (or manages outside counsel who respond on the behalf of the College) filed with external agencies, including but not limited to the EEOC, the United States Department of Education, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, the Higher Learning Commission, the Indiana Civil Rights Commission, local municipal or county offices for Civil Rights, IOSHA, OSHA, and the United States Department of Labor.

This is not to be construed as an exhaustive list. Other duties logically associated with this position may be assigned. All responsibilities will be conducted within the parameters of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), other applicable regulatory requirements, and professional standards.

Supervision Received: Vice President of Legal and Public Affairs
Supervision Given: Assigned staff

Minimum Qualifications:

Law degree from an American Bar Association-accredited law school.

License to practice in the State of Indiana, with admission to practice in the United States District Courts located within Indiana.

A minimum of three (3) years of law practice experience.

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills necessary to effectively represent the College, President, and Board of Trustees in legal matters.

Ability to communicate complex issues and legal concepts to non-lawyers.

Demonstrated ability to navigate effectively through and successfully work with different departments and constituencies.

Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and work under deadlines.

Excellent presentation and project management skills.

Excellent leadership and managerial skills, including the ability to effectively lead and manage the staff and activities of the office.

Excellent judgment and interpersonal skills.

Commitment to the highest standards of quality, integrity, ethics, fairness and public responsibility.

Superior knowledge and experience with the broad spectrum of statutes, regulations, and legal procedures relevant to college operations.

Expertise necessary to manage the full range of legal services.

Superior managerial skills demonstrating leadership, creativity, negotiation skills, as well as the ability to adapt and continuously improve the effectiveness of College legal services.

Must demonstrate ability to promote an inclusive environment that reflects the broad diversity and backgrounds represented by our students and employees and which every individual feels respected and valued.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience working in higher education.

Other Requirements:

Work Hours:

Hiring Range:

Team Ivy Referral:

N/A

Special Instructions to Applicants:

How to apply:

The Center for Leadership Excellence is assisting Ivy Tech Community College in this search. Applications and nominations are now being accepted. All correspondence (including your application) relating to the position of College Counsel should be directed in confidence to the College’s executive search consultant:

Dick Butz

The Center for Leadership Excellence

rbutz@cciindy.com

The full and complete application should contain the following information:

1. A cover letter, not to exceed 2 pages in length, outlining your experience and interest in this position;

2. A complete resume, not to exceed 4 pages in length.

This search will remain open until the position is filled.