Description:

Position Information:
Job Type/Hours per Week
Full-time/40 Hours per Week

Salary:
Salary commensurate with education and experience.

Hiring Department
Office of Legal Affairs

Location:
UT Tyler; Tyler, Texas

This position is not eligible for remote work.

Required application materials:
A single PDF or Word document containing a resume, letter of interest, and a list of the names and contact information for three (3) professional references is required to apply.

Important Instructions:
When prompted to upload your “resume”, upload your combined documents as one file.

Please do not upload documents to “Cover Letter” or “References”.

If the required application materials were not uploaded at the “resume” prompt, please withdraw your application, and re-apply to upload your combined documents as one file.

Job Summary:
The Senior Legal Officer is responsible for providing sophisticated, professional legal advice, support, and assistance to the administration of The University of Texas at Tyler, including the medical school, hospital, and health related facilities. This includes the operational, health and academic enterprises on a full array of issues related to higher education.

Major Responsibilities/Duties/Critical Tasks

Provide accurate, knowledgeable, and timely legal advice based on research and analysis on a broad range of issues/areas affecting an institution of higher education and a health care facility, which may include (without limitation) employment matters; faculty and student affairs; constitutional law and civil rights laws (including Title VII, Title IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, and other similar federal or state laws); public information; contracting issues; intellectual-property issues; and tort claims.
May organize, plan, prioritize, and review work product of supervised employee(s); offer guidance to supervised employee(s).
Establish and maintain positive, effective working relationships within the Office of Legal Affairs, UT Tyler, The University of Texas System, the Texas Attorney General's Office (or other outside counsel), and the local community.
Ensure that the Chief Legal Officer and, as necessary, the UT Tyler administration, The UT System Office of General Counsel and/or the Texas Attorney General's Office (or other outside counsel) are made aware of and kept informed of developments in projects and activities.
Effectively prioritize and complete duties within designated time frames.
Maintain awareness of developments in areas of law affecting UT Tyler through review of legislation and related regulations/rules; current legal literature; networking; and attending conferences and seminars.
Promote and ensure privacy and confidentiality of information and records at all times consistent with institutional, ethical, and legal standards.
Prepare legal memoranda, contracts, and other documents; draft and prepare correspondence; review, draft and interpret policies; conduct or supervise investigations and prepare/review investigation reports.
Monitor and manage claims and lawsuits filed against UT Tyler or its employees and manage responses to third-party subpoenas.
Serve either as member or alternate for institutional committees as requested.
Conduct legal presentations and training to faculty and staff on issues regarding ethics, compliance, and other legal matters.
Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Education/Experience:

Juris Doctorate (JD) degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
Five (5) years of experience as a practicing attorney.
Required License
Must be unconditionally licensed to practice in the State of Texas.

Preferred Education/Experience:

Experience practicing law in a higher educational setting.
Experience working within the UT System or one of its campuses.

Accompanying Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Competencies

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with a high degree of professionalism, maturity, discretion, and integrity in dealing with individuals at all levels of the institution and with outside stakeholders.
Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to manage multiple demands.
Ability to respond effectively within tight deadlines.
Ability to adapt to changing priorities and needs.
Ability to maintain a strong commitment to customer service and teamwork.

About The University of Texas at Tyler and UT Tyler Health Science Center
The University of Texas at Tyler is part of the prestigious University of Texas System that includes 14 institutions located throughout the state. Founded in 1971, UT Tyler today enrolls 10,000 students and consists of six colleges.

Designated an R2 research institution by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, UT Tyler supports our surrounding region through innovation intended to uplift communities, spearhead sustainability initiatives, preserve ecosystems and support entrepreneurship. UT Tyler has the highest Carnegie classification in East Texas.

Providing exceptional patient care, comprehensive education and innovative research, The University of Texas at Tyler Health Science Center and UT Health East Texas combine to serve as the university medical center for Northeast Texas and beyond.

For more information, please visit https://www.uttyler.edu/about.

Additional Information:
The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code Section 51.215, which authorizes the employer to obtain criminal history record information. Applicants selected must be able to show proof of eligibility to work in the United States by time of hire.

For more information regarding benefits offered by UT Tyler, please visit https://www.uttyler.edu/offices/human-resources/employees/benefits.

EEO Statement:
The University of Texas at Tyler is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.