General Counsel
JOB SUMMARY
The General Counsel reports directly to the Chancellor and has accountability to the Board of Trustees.
Provide legal advice and counsel to the Governing Board and College System.
Has responsibilities in areas of actual and potential legal liability, including but not limited to, managing litigation, reviewing, and drafting contracts, advising on personnel matters, providing representation in internal administrative proceedings, interpreting federal and state laws and regulations, interpreting system policies, regulations and rules, developing and drafting policies and procedures, and drafting legislation.
This position provides leadership and supervision of the Records Management, Governmental and External Affairs, Risk Management, Compliance, and OIE Divisions.
Executive level staff at HCC are system-wide leaders that share the responsibility to collaboratively support the one-college vision articulated in our strategic plan – Embracing Houston’s Future – with college strategic priorities as measurable manifestations of our shared Mission, Vision, and Values.
Responsible for the design, execution, and effectiveness of a system of internal controls, which provides reasonable assurance that operations are effective and efficient, assets, are safeguarded; financial information is reliable and compliant with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
Manages Talent Engagement with respect to activities of direct reports including recruiting and selection, hiring and termination, training, development, mentoring, counseling, and performance evaluations.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Provide legal support and services to the Chancellor and Administration by:•Providing legal support on employment matters including applicable laws and regulations.
•Providing legal support, and/or interpretations on labor law, discrimination complaints, grievance processes, faculty, and student issues.
•Ensuring compliance with legal standards applicable to the implementation of affirmative action plans and programs.
•Keeping abreast of emerging legal issues that may have an impact on the district, programs, curriculum, or any of HCC colleges.
•Monitoring fund-raising activities at the college or district level including foundation programs that may have legal ramifications for HCC.
•Writing, reviewing and/or evaluating business contracts and building leasing/acquisition agreements.
•Reviewing and approving contracts generated by programs in the academic, workforce and contract training/continuing education areas.
Assist the Administration in the development, preparation, implementation, review and revision of board policies, by-laws, administrative procedures, and other guidelines as necessary.
Develop, coordinate, and conduct in-service training on legal topics for administrators and support staff and provide support and legal guidance on legislative activities that affect HCC.
Assist the Administration with the development, review, and preparation of board agendas, posting notices, responses to request for public information/open records via the office of general counsel or the Office of Public Information in accordance with the Texas Public Information Act.
Monitor and assist the local filing authority in providing filing and deadline information to trustees/candidates for required filings.
Attend all board meetings including special meetings and board retreats to support the Chancellor, Deputy chancellor or Administrators.
Confer with citizens seeking to speak before the Board.
Manage Trustee Election (including application, election deadline schedule, ballot order drawing, placing candidate names on ballot, agreement with Harris and Fort Bend for costs associated with election, canvassing of votes and public postings)Review, monitor and validate all legal charges submitted to HCC from outside legal firms.
Represent HCC in administrative and legal proceedings and make recommendations to the chancellor or designee regarding the need for outside counsel and coordinate the services between firms.
Serve as liaison to regulatory and legislative bodies, courts and Office of the Attorney General.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education & Experience
General Office. Must be able to perform all job requirements with or without reasonable accommodations; remain in a stationary position during shift; move items weighing up to 25 pounds; position self to operate job equipment; apply established protocols in a timely manner. Must access, input and retrieve information from technology devices; communicate with others to accomplish job requirements. May be required to work after hours to include weekends and holidays.
SECURITY SENSITIVE:
This job class may contain positions that are security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of Texas Education Code § 51.215
The General Counsel reports directly to the Chancellor and has accountability to the Board of Trustees.
Provide legal advice and counsel to the Governing Board and College System.
Has responsibilities in areas of actual and potential legal liability, including but not limited to, managing litigation, reviewing, and drafting contracts, advising on personnel matters, providing representation in internal administrative proceedings, interpreting federal and state laws and regulations, interpreting system policies, regulations and rules, developing and drafting policies and procedures, and drafting legislation.
This position provides leadership and supervision of the Records Management, Governmental and External Affairs, Risk Management, Compliance, and OIE Divisions.
Executive level staff at HCC are system-wide leaders that share the responsibility to collaboratively support the one-college vision articulated in our strategic plan – Embracing Houston’s Future – with college strategic priorities as measurable manifestations of our shared Mission, Vision, and Values.
Responsible for the design, execution, and effectiveness of a system of internal controls, which provides reasonable assurance that operations are effective and efficient, assets, are safeguarded; financial information is reliable and compliant with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
Manages Talent Engagement with respect to activities of direct reports including recruiting and selection, hiring and termination, training, development, mentoring, counseling, and performance evaluations.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Provide legal support and services to the Chancellor and Administration by:•Providing legal support on employment matters including applicable laws and regulations.
•Providing legal support, and/or interpretations on labor law, discrimination complaints, grievance processes, faculty, and student issues.
•Ensuring compliance with legal standards applicable to the implementation of affirmative action plans and programs.
•Keeping abreast of emerging legal issues that may have an impact on the district, programs, curriculum, or any of HCC colleges.
•Monitoring fund-raising activities at the college or district level including foundation programs that may have legal ramifications for HCC.
•Writing, reviewing and/or evaluating business contracts and building leasing/acquisition agreements.
•Reviewing and approving contracts generated by programs in the academic, workforce and contract training/continuing education areas.
Assist the Administration in the development, preparation, implementation, review and revision of board policies, by-laws, administrative procedures, and other guidelines as necessary.
Develop, coordinate, and conduct in-service training on legal topics for administrators and support staff and provide support and legal guidance on legislative activities that affect HCC.
Assist the Administration with the development, review, and preparation of board agendas, posting notices, responses to request for public information/open records via the office of general counsel or the Office of Public Information in accordance with the Texas Public Information Act.
Monitor and assist the local filing authority in providing filing and deadline information to trustees/candidates for required filings.
Attend all board meetings including special meetings and board retreats to support the Chancellor, Deputy chancellor or Administrators.
Confer with citizens seeking to speak before the Board.
Manage Trustee Election (including application, election deadline schedule, ballot order drawing, placing candidate names on ballot, agreement with Harris and Fort Bend for costs associated with election, canvassing of votes and public postings)Review, monitor and validate all legal charges submitted to HCC from outside legal firms.
Represent HCC in administrative and legal proceedings and make recommendations to the chancellor or designee regarding the need for outside counsel and coordinate the services between firms.
Serve as liaison to regulatory and legislative bodies, courts and Office of the Attorney General.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education & Experience
- J. D. degree from an accredited law school required
- 12 years combined experience of education law, Texas Education Code, labor relations, employment contract, and employment law experience required
- Valid Texas Driver License
- Member, State Bar of Texas required; admission to Federal courts preferred
- Understand and commit to the College’s mission and student success
- Able to effectively lead complex organizational change
- Take strategic action with a sense of urgency
- Strong communications skills with direct reports and staff members, senior team-level colleagues, the Chancellor, and board members
- Acting as a Champion for Change
- Thinking like an Entrepreneur
- Driving for Results
- Leveraging Opportunities
- Setting a Strategic Vision
- Attracting & Developing Talent
- Inspiring & Motivating Others
- Acting Strategically
- Demonstrating Beliefs & Principals
- Managing Resources
General Office. Must be able to perform all job requirements with or without reasonable accommodations; remain in a stationary position during shift; move items weighing up to 25 pounds; position self to operate job equipment; apply established protocols in a timely manner. Must access, input and retrieve information from technology devices; communicate with others to accomplish job requirements. May be required to work after hours to include weekends and holidays.
SECURITY SENSITIVE:
This job class may contain positions that are security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of Texas Education Code § 51.215
The Organization
Houston Community College (HCC) is composed of 14 Centers of Excellence and numerous satellite centers that serve the diverse communities in the Greater Houston area by preparing individuals to live and work in an increasingly international and technological society. HCC is one of the country’s largest singly-accredited, open-admission, community colleges offering associate degrees, certificates, workforce training, and lifelong learning opportunities.
The Team
Play a central role at HCC as you keep our everyday operations running like clockwork. You’ll get the chance to make things happen and work closely with inspiring leaders across different parts of the institution. Whether your role is supportive, administrative, financial or something else, you’ll be part of a dynamic team that not only provides HCC students with cutting-edge academic and career tools, it also takes care of its people.
Location
Houston is a city with limitless possibilities:
EEO Statement
Houston Community College does not discriminate on the bases of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity and expression, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation or veteran’s status. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:
Individuals with disabilities, who require special accommodations to interview, should contact (713) 718-8565.
Houston Community College (HCC) is composed of 14 Centers of Excellence and numerous satellite centers that serve the diverse communities in the Greater Houston area by preparing individuals to live and work in an increasingly international and technological society. HCC is one of the country’s largest singly-accredited, open-admission, community colleges offering associate degrees, certificates, workforce training, and lifelong learning opportunities.
The Team
Play a central role at HCC as you keep our everyday operations running like clockwork. You’ll get the chance to make things happen and work closely with inspiring leaders across different parts of the institution. Whether your role is supportive, administrative, financial or something else, you’ll be part of a dynamic team that not only provides HCC students with cutting-edge academic and career tools, it also takes care of its people.
Location
Houston is a city with limitless possibilities:
- Fourth-largest city in the U.S. and home to 54 Fortune 500 companies, second only to New York City’s 55.
- Approximately 145 languages are spoken here.
- Overall after-taxes living costs are 5.6 percent below the average for all 308 urban areas recently surveyed.
- Houston is a major-league sports town, and don’t forget the annual Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo.
- The weather is great! Mild winters ensure that outdoor activities can be enjoyed year-round.
- World-renowned medical care. The Houston metro area has long been known for its first-rate health care system, with many Houston area hospitals consistently ranking among the nation’s top institutions.
- With over 150 museums and cultural institutions in the Greater Houston area, museums are a large part of Houston’s cultural scene.
- Houston is the Culture & Culinary Capital of Texas with more than 7,500 restaurants and eating establishments covering 60+ cuisines.
EEO Statement
Houston Community College does not discriminate on the bases of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity and expression, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation or veteran’s status. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:
- Sandra B. Jacobson, J.D., M.Ed., SHRM-SCP, Interim Director of EEO and Compliance & Title IX Coordinator
- Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX
- PO Box 667517
- Houston, TX 77266
- 713.718.8271 or hcc.oeotix@hccs.edu
Individuals with disabilities, who require special accommodations to interview, should contact (713) 718-8565.