75838 – Principal Counsel, Labor and Employment

POSITION SUMMARY

This position requires substantial expertise in the labor and employment practice area, with an emphasis advising on traditional labor matters. All members of the labor and employment practice area provide advice to a diverse client base for the University’s 230,000 person workforce, including systemwide and campus human resources, academic personnel, compliance, and risk management staff. Services include significant responsibility for traditional labor matters such as advice and counseling during labor negotiations, interpretation of collective bargaining agreements, and handling litigation before administrative agencies such as before the Public Employment Relations Board; handling and negotiating pre-litigated employment disputes; drafting, reviewing and revising a variety of documents involving the University’s interest, such as policies, contracts, position statements, and advice memoranda; advising clients on a broad range of issues. Conducts client trainings and prepares legal updates. Provides functional advice, training and/or guidance to less-experienced attorneys and legal support staff. Acts as a liaison with outside counsel, and/or represent the University in regulatory proceedings, including administrative hearings and employment-related government audits and investigations.

This position requires substantial knowledge of federal and state labor and employment laws including the Fair Employment and Housing Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, California Family Rights Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, California public sector labor laws such as the Higher Education Employer-Employee Relations Act or the National Labor Relations Act, as well as privacy, First Amendment and whistleblower issues. This position involves independently handling a full range of legal matters and projects in the labor and employment area, to include the most complex and that of substantial importance and impact, interpreting complex facts and law in areas of high ambiguity; and providing functional advice to clients regarding risk assessment and liability.

By practicing UC Legal’s established Values for Principles of Community, this position contributes to a workplace that is collaborative, supportive, respectful of differences, and committed to fairness and diversity in all interactions, both within and outside the team. It will also support UC Legal’s commitment to increasing and maintaining diversity in the legal profession.

Duties and Responsibilities

65% LEGAL SERVICES:

Provides advice and counsel on highly complex legal matters in labor and employment law.
Independently handles a full range of legal matters and projects, to include those which hold substantial importance and impact.
Represents the University in pre-litigation employment claims including engaging with opposing counsel and participating in alternative dispute resolution.
Advises on traditional labor matters, and handles litigation before administrative agencies such as before the Public Employment Relations Board.
Interprets complex facts and the law in areas of moderate to high ambiguity.
Advises and renders opinions to clients with respect to the legal implications of establishing or changing policy.
Directly negotiates matters on behalf of The Regents.
May act as a liaison with outside counsel, and/or represent the University in administrative or court litigation.
Complies with delegations of authority for committing University funds.

10% CLIENT RELATIONSHIPS AND STRATEGY:

Establishes effective relationships with key internal and external constituencies.
Recognizes strategic needs of organization and proactively builds relationships with appropriate stakeholders to ensure successful outcomes.
Serves as a trusted strategic partner with University business units, providing practical advice and alternative solutions to business issues.

15% LEADERSHIP:

Delegates work effectively to maximize efficiencies.
Provides clear expectations and feedback to help others to meet expected levels of productivity and accuracy.
Provides functional advice, training and/or guidance and effectively mentors less-experienced colleagues.
Supports OGC’s commitment to diversity efforts – ensures equal opportunity in recruitment process by ensuring diverse representation on search committees and outreach efforts. Promotes equity in advancements and encourages participation in career advising or mentoring programs.

10% PROACTIVE ADVICE AND COUNSEL:

Keeps informed on changing legislation and case law developments affecting overall operations of the University as they relate to the area of specialty; i.e., labor and employment law.
Works with colleagues at the Office of the President or campus/medical center locations to develop and modify practices and procedures to conform with changing legal requirements.

Experience and Required Qualifications
Minimum of 8 years of employment and/or labor law experience in a law firm, or in-house counsel for an academic institution, corporation, or other entity.

Skills and Abilities
Excellent abilities in collaboration, facilitation, and strategic and creative thinking with UC Legal colleagues, clients, and outside counsel.
Thorough understanding of highly complex legal issues and ability to foresee implications, even when ambiguous or hidden.
Strong interpersonal communication skills, including proven ability to actively listen, negotiate, persuade, and educate.
Advanced written communication skills and ability to create and deliver effective materials and/or presentations appropriate to a particular audience.
Skills to gain trust and build credibility with a broad group of colleagues and clients, including senior leaders.
Effective research skills; ability to readily identify material and relevant information.
Proven decision-making ability, even when the decision is unpopular, earning credibility and support from colleagues.
Commitment to the highest ethical standards.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion and tact when handling sensitive or potentially sensitive issues.

Preferred Qualifications
Experience in a higher education setting.
Experience in handling traditional labor matters.
Experience evaluating, negotiating and resolving employment claims through settlement negotiations and mediations.
Relevant practice experience for public sector or higher education client.
Skills in project management, and facilitating policy review and changes.
Education
Advanced degree in a related area is required

Licenses and Certifications
Must be a member in good standing of the California Bar. (Out-of-state hire would be afforded time to pass the Bar within a reasonable period.)

Travel Requirements
10% Occasional business travel

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

The person hired will be required to reside within California and report to work on-site at UC’s Office of the President (UCOP) located in Oakland, CA on a regular basis. Current policy requires that a new employee work on-site at least two days a week on Tuesdays and Wednesdays (“anchor days”). In exceptional circumstances, approved by the General Counsel, candidates residing in or willing to relocate to California may be considered for a fully remote work arrangement.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Job Title: Counsel 4
Job Code: 000201
Salary Grade: Grade 29

Payscale: $225,000 – $260,000, commensurate with experience

The University of California, Office of the President, is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

Benefits: For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University visit: Benefits of Belonging

HOW TO APPLY

Please be prepared to attach a cover letter and resume with your application. Please apply through this link.

APPLICATION REVIEW DATE

The first review date for this job is February 7, 2025. The position will be open until filled.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Check Process: Successful completion of a background check is required for this critical position. Background check process at UCOP

Smoke Free Work Environment: The University of California, Office of the President, is smoke & tobacco-free as of January 1, 2014. UC Smoke & Tobacco Free Policy

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

“Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
APM – 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

EEO STATEMENT

The University of California, Office of the President, is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. EEO/AA Employer UC Nondiscrimination Policy

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