Staff Attorney

Join Our Team at Indian River State College!

Are you an experienced legal professional passionate about making a difference in higher education? Indian River State College seeks a Staff Attorney to provide strategic legal guidance and counsel to support the institution’s mission.

At Indian River State College, you’ll play a vital role in advancing education and supporting our students, faculty, and staff. Join a collaborative, mission-driven environment committed to excellence and innovation.

Ready to Apply?
Take the next step in your career and submit your application today. Be a part of our mission to inspire and educate!

JOB SUMMARY:

Under administrative direction, this position serves as the legal officer of the College.  Duties include: providing advice on legal strategies, direction, and counsel regarding legal matters impacting the College; reviewing and assessing legal risks to the College; coordinating and managing College related legal issues; and providing research and generating legal opinions to the College on legal matters impacting the College including District Board of Trustees (DBOT) policies, personnel actions, contracts and agreements, program proposals and other items.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provides leadership and direction to all areas of responsibility including: developing, reviewing, and recommending the approval of College contracts prior to final execution; providing assistance, advice, and counsel in the collective bargaining process as it relates to federal, state and local regulations; and coordinating responses to subpoenas/ court orders, public records, and other requests.
• Provides for the efficient maintenance of legal records of the College including Board assigned agreements, resolutions, and real estate documents; maintains the official records of College policies and procedures; and assists in the collection, organization, and preparation of legal memoranda, reports and other information as directed by the President.
• Reporting to the President, the Staff Attorney advises the President and the DBOT on issues and recommends changes in policies or procedures to improve the overall operation of the College; assists the Office of the President with matters related to the operation and actions of the DBOT; advises Cabinet on new laws, existing laws, and legal rights that would impact functionality of the College; and provides counsel in support of local, state, and federal legislative matters.
• Crafts and reviews legal strategy in response to litigation; manages all College litigation and coordinates with outside counsel for the College.

• Serves a coordination role of the internal and external affairs of the College relative to legal issues involving students and employees.
• Establishes regulatory compliance framework for College-wide implementation and monitoring; maintains a current knowledge of all legal, policy, and regulatory matters which have or could have an impact on the College.
• Examines issues and items within the College that have legal ramifications; analyzes and interprets scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents as well as responds to technical questions and/or complaints from College leadership, customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the community; interprets and applies relevant federal, state, and local legislative and regulatory laws and regulations pertaining to College initiatives.
• Accomplishes the institutional objectives pertinent to this area of responsibility as articulated by the President and the DBOT; develops standards, policies, and procedures for all functions under charge; and recommends for appointment, supervises, and evaluates assigned personnel.
• Provides training and counsel to the DBOT, Cabinet, and College community on legal, procedural, and compliance inquiries.
• Responsible for assigned legal budget and contract legal support.
• Completes all other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

• Juris Doctor; three (3) years of related legal work experience preferably with experience establishing business entities with relevant documentation; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.
• Currently licensed to practice law in Florida.
• Member in good standing with the Florida Bar.
• Valid Florida driver’s license (or the ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire).
• Knowledge of contract law, equal opportunity law, and employment law.
• Knowledge of establishing, LLCs, Direct Support Organizations, Public-Private Partnership (P3s), and other business entities and partnerships including creating the relevant documentation.
• Knowledge of laws and regulations relating to Florida public higher education.
• Skill in organizing, negotiating, resolving conflict, formulating strategies, analyzing and interpreting information, creatively solving problems, reasoning, efficiently using resources, time management, and prioritizing.
• Ability to develop and deliver presentations.
• Skill in working with Microsoft Office and Windows based applications.
• Ability to be accurate, listen, collaborate with others, be confident, use good judgement, show initiative, make sound decisions, multi-task, maintain confidentiality, work independently, and supervise others.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw conclusions.
• Ability to anticipate, identify, diagnose, and consult on problem areas related to legal affairs.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

This position classifies the physical exertion requirements as sedentary work involving lifting no more than 10 pounds at a time and occasionally lifting or carrying articles like docket files, ledgers, and small tools. Although a sedentary job is defined as one which involves sitting, a certain amount of walking and standing is often necessary in carrying out job duties. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required occasionally, and other sedentary criteria are met.

ADDITIONAL EXPECTATIONS:

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Additionally, all employees of the College are expected to maintain professional standards of communication, able to learn and apply new technology, and abide by all policies and procedures. Continued employment remains on an “at-will” basis.

This description is intended to indicate typical kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as declaring every specific duty and responsibility of the particular position.  This job description is not intended to be a contract for employment, and the employer reserves the right to make any necessary revisions to the job description at any time without notice.