Assistant Attorney General - Higher Education

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

Supplemental Information

• A Juris Doctorate is required.
• Risks found in the typical office setting, which is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated, e.g., safe use of office equipment, avoiding trips and falls, observing fire regulations, etc.
• Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to perform the work; however, there may be some walking; standing; bending; carrying light items; driving an automobile, etc. Special physical demands are not required to perform the work.
• A conditional offer of employment will be made pending a satisfactory completion of a background investigation.
• Where statute mandates, active membership in the Utah State Bar.
• Must be able to travel as required.
• Valid driver license required to drive a motor vehicle on a highway in this state per UCA 53-3-202(1)(a).
• Attorneys are hired at a salary consistent with their experience-level-peers in non-supervisory positions. For the purpose of starting salary calculation, experience level is based on initial Bar admittance year, less any years not practicing law. Annual salary ranges for each grade level are outlined below:
  Grade Level

  Bar Year

  Approximate Salary

  
  

  I

  2023-2025

  $121,500

  
  

  II

  2020-2022

  $127,700

  
  

  III

  2016-2019

  $134,300

  
  

  IV

  2015-Prior

  $140,900 - $180,000
  (Depending on Experience)