Associate General Counsel: Office of the General Counsel

The University of Northern Iowa (UNI) is one of Iowa’s three public universities organized under the Iowa Board of Regents. Initially founded as a teacher education school, UNI will be celebrating its sesquicentennial in 2026, reflecting its long history of its commitment to providing an exceptional education to students from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. 
The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) provides strategic legal advice and counsel to the University. Led by the General Counsel who is currently the institution’s sole attorney, the OGC is going through a robust transformation to enhance service, streamline processes, and engage more with its community of UNI colleagues. 
The OGC is seeking a skilled, highly-motivated attorney to serve as Associate General Counsel. Reporting to the General Counsel, the incoming Associate General Counsel will serve primarily as a generalist in multiple legal and policy areas, but also be able to cultivate expertise in specific legal domains. Due to the small size of the office and its large portfolio, the Associate General Counsel will be expected to manage and prioritize a wide range of practice areas and assignments stemming from a broad campus constituency with a great deal of independence and sound judgment.
Primary Function: Manages legal issues for the University related to labor and employment law, export controls, and immigration; provides counsel to the Provost Office on faculty grievances and employee contract issues; provides training for University employees; represents the University on the collective bargaining team with the United Faculty contract; manages legal cases and issues as assigned by University Counsel; provides prompt, accurate, and ongoing legal advice on a broad range of labor and employment matters; participates in University committees and meetings as requested; and completes all other duties assigned.
Required Qualifications: Juris Doctorate from an accredited ABA law school; at least three years of experience as a practicing attorney in higher education law, employment law, or related area; and admission or eligibility for admission to the Iowa Bar within one year of employment or eligibility to be registered in Iowa as In-House Counsel.
Preferred Qualifications: Experience in a higher education setting; thorough knowledge and understanding of legal, academic, and operational issues pertinent to public universities; excellent verbal and written communication skills; demonstrated skill in conducting legal research, problem-solving, conflict resolution, advocacy, sound judgement, and interpersonal skills; ability to perform effectively under pressure of conflicting demands and changing priorities; experience working collegially and collaboratively with individuals and groups from different backgrounds, perspectives, and areas of expertise; high ethical standards, reflecting honesty, integrity, and reliability; and high degree of motivation and willingness to develop expertise in new and unfamiliar areas of law.
Working Environment: The work is expected to be performed in an office on campus at UNI in Cedar Falls, Iowa; some flexibility in work location may be considered. Remote work must be performed within the state of Iowa. Employees who elect remote work must comply with the requirements of our remote work policy and agreement. Occasional travel within Iowa to other institutions, the Office of the Iowa Board or Regents, or the Office of the Iowa Attorney General may be required. Infrequent out-of-state travel, such as to attend conferences, is expected.
Salary:
Salary: $115,000 to Commensurate
Pay Grade: 123
Pay Basis: Salary
 
UNI is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. The University encourages applications from persons of color, women, individuals living with disabilities, and veterans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, political affiliation, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, or any other basis protected by federal and/or state law.
 
The University offers an excellent benefits package including a vacation plan, employer sponsored retirement plans, health and dental insurance, and life and disability insurance. Benefits package details can be viewed at https://careers.uni.edu/benefits. Application materials received by 9/13/2024 will be given first consideration. For more information or to apply, visit https://careers.uni.edu/. Cover letter and resume required when applying. Criminal and other relevant background checks required. UNI is a tobacco free campus.