General Counsel
Colorado Mountain College Central Services Glenwood Springs
Under general direction from the President and the Chief Operating Officer & Chief of Staff, the General Counsel will serve as the college’s chief legal advisor for the college. The General Counsel advises the Board of Trustees, Office of the President & CEO, central and campus executives, academic deans, and other employees. Legal affairs at the College cover the full array of issues presented by a dual mission, open access institution with multiple campuses over a broad geographic area. The college, a Hispanic-Serving Institution, is a local government political subdivision governed by a nonpartisan elected board of trustees and funded primarily by local property tax revenues, though the college also receives financial support from the state of Colorado. The General Counsel works across academic and operational divisions and with multiple campus locations. Required areas of expertise include constitutional law, civil rights, education law, contracts, real estate projects and operations, labor and employment, student affairs and conduct issues, faculty rights and responsibilities, legislative developments, regulatory compliance matters, risk management, public finance, intellectual property, and grants management. Legal support staffing is provided by the Colorado Department of Law and by a variety of private law firms, subject to supervision by the General Counsel. The General Counsel is a member of the president’s cabinet (known as the “College Leadership Team”) and the College Council, CMC’s executive-level policy recommending body. The incumbent serves as a counselor for policy and operational decisions in addition to providing substantive legal advice and defends the college against threatened or actual legal claims by employees, students, and third parties. This position will conduct trainings and orientations to different audiences on a regular basis and provides significant assistance with college compliance obligations. The General Counsel also represents the Colorado Mountain College Foundation, an affiliated nonprofit corporation with an independently appointed board of directors. View/download job description including hiring salary range: General Counsel Pre-requisites for Position (Qualifications Standards) Education and experience sufficient for the rigors of the position. Minimum qualifications include a law degree from an ABA-accredited US law school (Required); admission to practice law in and good standing with the State of Colorado or eligibility to secure admission within a mutually agreed upon period following employment (Required), and at least eight years of experience as a practicing attorney with commensurate scope and responsibilities (Required). Required special skills or abilities related to the position: Ability to work with all levels of management and operations, including matters arising before elected board of trustees Interact professionally and knowledgeably with the governing board, college employees, and external constituencies and groups Draft and review legislation, policies and operational procedures Handle multiple unrelated matters concurrently, rapidly, and accurately Provide timely and responsive counsel under varying timelines Select and supervise work conducted by outside counsel Prepare, negotiate, review and administer contracts and other legal documents Assist with training and compliance obligations, including Title IX, Clery Act, and other regulatory matters related to higher education Understand the changing trends, opportunities and challenges within the legal environment impacting the college Coordinate and manage outside counsel and develop strategy for litigation and regulatory proceedings Ability to provide frequent assistance to Department of Human Resources Demonstrated analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills Superb professional judgment High ethical standards and ability to work with a transparent and collaborative leadership style A demonstrated commitment to the college’s inclusivity mission, identifying legally viable avenues to support equitable goals, diversity initiatives, and innovative financial and academic programs. Preferred skills/abilities related to the position: Experience with higher education law at multiple levels of governance and management (Highly preferred) Experience working on behalf of an institution of higher education, a large governmental entity or nonprofit organization, or a highly regulated business Direct or supervisory experience in litigation and administrative proceedings Proficient knowledge of labor and employment law Experience with public law matters and obligations of elected officials and public employees Experience with municipal elections and election coordination Experience with immigration laws as it pertains to employment Equivalent education and experience may be considered that will provide the necessary knowledge, skill and abilities to perform the functions of the position. Welcoming. Innovative. Focused on Student Success. These principles reflect the soul of CMC. They guide us in building our teams, cultivating leaders, and expanding our approaches and mindset. They guide us to be an institution of higher education that’s the right fit for every faculty member, staff, student, and community member in its trust. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to working effectively with students, employees, and community members of all backgrounds. Bilingual (English/Spanish) or conversational language abilities preferred.
CMC is an EOE committed to diversifying its workforce. Review of application material will begin on September 14, 2022.