Special Counsel to the Board of Regents

Thank you for your interest in employment with Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE), System Administration and System Computing Services. We want your application process to go smoothly and quickly. We ask that you keep in mind the following when completing your application:

• Draft applications are saved automatically and can be accessed through your candidate home account.

• Final applications must be submitted prior to the close of the recruitment. Once a recruitment has closed, applications will no longer be accepted.

If you need assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please contact our Human Resources department at (775) 784-4901.

Job Description

The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) invites applications and nominations for the position of Special Counsel to the Board. This is a renewable, full-time, non-tenured, administrative position and reports to the Vice Chancellor and Chief General Counsel. The position may be primarily located in either Reno or Las Vegas, Nevada.

The NSHE is comprised of eight institutions: two universities, a state university, four community colleges and a research institute. The public system of higher education in Nevada continues to experience growth with significant opportunities in serving over 105,000 students and 15,000 employees.

This is a position within the NSHE Office of Legal Affairs (the Office).

The duties and responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to, providing confidential legal advice and counsel to the Board of Regents, its leadership, individual members, and staff in the areas of ethics in government law, open meeting law, parliamentary procedure/Roberts Rules of Order and other specified areas; providing legal advice and representation to NSHE System Administration Office and NSHE institutions; and other matters as assigned by the Chief General Counsel.

This position reports to the Chief General Counsel and all duties of this position are performed under the direction and supervision of the Chief General Counsel.

SALARY GRADE: Grade E (starting salary range approximately $180,000.00 to $210,000.00; depending on experience). A benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, life, and retirement.

APPROXIMATE STARTING DATE: March 15, 2024

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: The successful candidate must have earned a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited institution with ten years of substantive legal experience or an equivalent combination thereof. An active license, in good standing, to practice law in the State of Nevada is also required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Successful candidates must possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities. It is recommended that applicants for this position demonstrate their knowledge, skills and abilities in the following areas within their application materials:.

• Open Meeting Law

• Public Records Law

• Ethics in Government law

• Parliamentary Procedure / Roberts Rules of Order

• In-depth knowledge of Board of Regents Bylaws, policies and procedures

• In-depth knowledge of policies, procedures, and organization of NSHE and its institutions

• Employment Law

• Broad knowledge of state and federal law

• Ability to manage conflict, confrontation, and disagreements in a positive manner

• Ability to organize and prioritize competing high priority tasks

• Ability to look at all aspects of a problem, both practical and legal, and arrive at an effective solution

• Ability to interact with a wide range of individuals

• Effective collaboration with other counsel within NSHE

• Effective administrative and management skills, strong computer, written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills

• A high degree of organizational skills for multi-tasking and tracking of multiple projects simultaneously

• Legal practice skills related to serving as counsel for a public entity or Board, particularly including open meeting and ethics in government law compliance

• Legal practice skills relating to contract drafting and interpretation, establishment and enforcement of policies and procedures, administrative law, and internal investigations and employment law issues

RESPONSIBILITIES: The duties of this position will include, but not be limited to, the following areas of responsibility.

• Provide legal advice regarding compliance with the open meeting law, ethics in government law, and parliamentary procedure / Roberts Rules of Order

• Review and approve all Board of Regents meeting agendas, supporting materials, and minutes for legal compliance

• Attend all Board of Regents meetings including, without limitation, regular quarterly meetings, special meetings, and committee meetings

• Respond to and advise on matters relating to the Board of Regents Bylaws

• Respond to and advise on public records requests for records maintained by individual Regents and/or the Board Office in consultation with NSHE Chief General Counsel as well as coordinate with respect to all public records requests for records not maintained by the Board Office or individual Regents that concern the Board of Regents, review responses prepared by NSHE Legal Affairs office prior to release of Regent records, and provide production notices to Regents prior to release of records to the public

• Assist in and/or represent the Board in litigation or other administrative concerns/complaints, including responding to open meeting law complaints

• Provide legal advice and general guidance to the Board of Regents and its members regarding reporting requirements for elected public officers

• Advise the Board of Regents and its members on policies and procedures codified in the Handbook and Procedures and Guidelines Manual as interpreted by and in consultation with NSHE Chief General Counsel

• Prepare and execute open meeting law waivers

• Ensure agendas are posted in accordance with open meeting law regulations and review meeting minutes for legal sufficiency

• Provide legal holds to members of the Board of Regents and Board Office staff, when necessary, in consultation with NSHE Chief General Counsel

• Coordinate, track, and review contracts

• Provide advice and counsel on issues that are typically associated with legal representation of public entities, including but not limited to, employment matters, litigation, regulatory law, preventative law, public records requests and contract review

• Provide production notices to regents prior to release of public records

• Draft legal documents as assigned

• Conduct training for the Board of Regents on Open Meeting Law, Ethics Law, the Boards Bylaws, and the Regents Code of Ethical Conduct

• Staff any committees or hearings related to Board enforcement of its Code of Ethical Conduct

TO APPLY: The application process will be handled through the Workday on-line search process. Application materials must include a current resume, detailed cover letter, and the name, email address and telephone number of four professional references willing to be contacted. Applicants should fully describe qualifications and experience as the initial review evaluates applicants based on documented, relevant qualifications and professional work experience. Applications will be considered incomplete without all requested materials. References will only be contacted for those who advance to the final phase of the search and with prior consent of the applicant. The review of materials will begin immediately. Materials should be addressed to Sherry Olson, Human Resources, and are to be submitted via on-line application at https://nshe.nevada.edu/administration/human-resources/. For assistance with NSHEs on-line applicant portal, contact Sherry Olson at (775) 784-4901.

INTERNAL APPLICANTS: Current employees within the Nevada System of Higher Education MUST use the Find Jobs process within Workday to find and apply for jobs at NSHE institutions. Once you log into Workday and type Find Jobs in the search box which will navigate to the internal job posting site. Locate the specific job posting by typing the requisition number (e.g. R0000000) in the search box.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications may be submitted until the position is filled. The review of materials will begin immediately, however, for full consideration applications should be submitted by February 11, 2024.

For more information about the Nevada System of Higher Education, please visit our website at www.nevada.edu. The Nevada System of Higher Education hires only United States citizens and noncitizens lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. NSHE is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, creed, national origin, veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

Exempt

Yes

Full-Time Equivalent

100.0%

Required Attachment(s)

Application materials must include a current resume, detailed cover letter, and names, addresses, and telephone numbers of four professional references willing to be contacted.

Posting Close Date

Note to Applicant

A background check will be conducted on the candidate(s) selected for hire.

References will be contacted at the appropriate phase of the recruitment process.

As part of the hiring process, applicants for positions in the Nevada System of Higher Education may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform job-related tasks.

All document(s) must be received on or before the closing date of the job announcements. Schedules are subject to change based on organizational needs.

HR will attempt to verify academic credentials upon receipt of hiring documents.