Job Details

Legal Assistant

The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) invites applications for the position of Legal Assistant. This is a renewable, full-time, non-tenured, administrative position and reports to the Executive Legal Assistant. The position is located in 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 challenges and opportunities in serving over 110,500 students and 15,000 employees.

The Legal Assistant will report directly to the Executive Legal Assistant and will provide administrative support to the Office of Legal Affairs.

The major purpose of the Legal Assistant position is to provide administrative assistance and legal support to the Chief General Counsel, Associate General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel and Executive Legal Assistant. The position serves as a confidential representative and liaison with system-wide administration officials and senior management as well as the office of legal affairs' liaison with faculty, staff, and the public. The Legal Assistant is expected to manage the assignment of tasks and is responsible for assisting in the priorities of the Chief General Counsel and staff attorneys and in general, and the legal affairs office's day-to-day operations. Responsibilities of the position include managing daily and long-range activities, a high volume of communications, correspondence, schedules, and records; ensuring timely responses; resolving problems without direct involvement by the Chief General Counsel; and providing legal support to system General Counsel for Truckee Meadow Community College, Desert Research Institute and Western Nevada College.

Salary grade: This position offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with the candidate's education, experience, and certification/training. In addition to base salary, employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: includes health, dental, vision, and life insurance. Additionally, an employer paid long term disability plan is included.
• Outstanding Retirement Plan: professional employees are required to participate in the 401(a) Retirement Plan Alternative (RPA). Employee contributions of 19.25% are matched 100% by the employer and employees experience an immediate vesting in the plan. Employees who currently or previously participated in Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) of Nevada may be eligible to continue in the PERS plan.
• Paid Leave: generous annual leave (accrual of 2 days per month), sick leave (granted 30 days at time of hire), 12 paid holidays, and paid family leave.
• Education Benefit: employees and their qualified dependents may take advantage of a tuition savings benefit. Faculty may take up to six credits per semester at a reduced rate and their dependents may access an unlimited number of credits, if they meet specific criteria.
• Additional Perks: Employee assistance programs and professional development opportunities.

Minimum qualifications: Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution with three years of progressively responsible administrative and legal assistance (or) Associate degree with five years of progressively responsible administrative and legal assistance (or) ten years of progressively responsible administrative and legal assistance experience.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities: Successful candidates must possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities. It is recommended that applicants for this position address each of the following items in the letter of application:

• Knowledge of NSHE organizational structure, and the organizational policies and procedures related to position. Good understanding of higher education organizational and governance structures and state legislative operations.
• Knowledge of objectives of legal, legislative, political, professional, employee, student, business organizations, and community groups related to and/or impacting NSHE.
• Knowledge of legal, administrative, and general research methods and techniques.
• Learn quickly; independently understand, analyze, and interpret complex written material and computer-generated information.
• Organize assigned tasks, multi-task effectively, prioritize heavy workload, develop comprehensive timetables and strategies to meet multiple and constantly changing deadlines.
• Anticipate conditions, plan ahead, establish priorities, and meet deadlines. Analyze situations to determine the effective course of action.
• Make independent decisions appropriately and within the boundaries of assigned authority.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and accuracy. Attention to detail in responding to unexpected job demands and keeping pace with rapidly changing priorities and deadlines.
• Properly handle sensitive issues that arise frequently in the rapidly changing environment of the Office of Legal Affairs, where improper handling may have serious consequences.
• Accurately file and access documents within County, State and Federal court filing systems and administrative tribunals.
• Develop and maintain an effective, productive, and cooperative working, reporting and professional relationship with employees at all levels of the organization and external constituencies.
• Compose comprehensive and concise reports, correspondence, and informational materials on a wide variety of subjects using the full array of written, oral, and visual formats and techniques.
• Interpret and complete projects as assigned by the Chief General Counsel, Associate General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel and Executive Legal Assistant.
• Exercise initiative, discretion, and critical judgment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and communication skills, verbal and written, to communicate effectively with a diverse population at all levels, both internally and externally, using tact and diplomacy.
• Knowledge of court e-filing rules and regulations.
• Skill in resolving conflict situations and in recognizing politically sensitive situations.
• Skill in use of computer, including software such as Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Excel, Adobe), email, and the Internet.
• Ability to develop, enhance, and maintain an efficient system for tracking contracts.
• Strong organizational skills to plan work and meet deadlines.
• Skill to organize and maintain an efficient records management system.
• Skill to work both independently and cooperatively.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent writing and proofreading skills, including proper use of formats as well as knowledge of correct English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and usage.

Responsibilities: The duties of this position will include, but not be limited to:

System Contract Coordination: Manages submissions of system-wide contracts for the Chancellor's signature; which includes receipt, review for routing requirements, and circulation for signatures; preparing for review by the Chief General Counsel and/or staff attorneys for approval and obtaining Chancellor's signature. Maintain electronic records of fully executed contracts, return originals as specified; Maintain electronic master log of all contracts, their approving signatories, and routing status. Continue to develop a tracking system to ensure contract renewal and other contract requirements are met. Manage and track Chief General Counsel and staff attorney legal review of System Administration contracts and agreements.

Executive Staff Support: Provide support for the Chief General Counsel, Associate General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel and Executive Legal Assistant, including, but not limited to, maintaining calendars, coordinating various meetings, community events and presentations. Draft and distribute emails and correspondence for executive staff approval. Communicate with other NSHE divisions and/or state offices to coordinate meetings, requests, and information sharing. Maintain confidential files. Assist with preparation and filing of legal documents, court pleadings or other administrative proceeding documentation. Legal research using Westlaw system. Draft correspondence, schedule appointments, coordinate seminar or other conference/event attendance, travel arrangements and submission of travel claims for reimbursement.

Legal Counsel Support: Assist the General Counsel for TMCC, DRI, and WNC with preparation of court pleadings or other administrative proceeding documentation to be executed, served, and filed. File all court documents electronically, with various courts within the State of Nevada. Legal research using the Westlaw system. Draft correspondence, maintain calendars, schedule of appointments, coordinate seminar or other conference/event attendance, travel arrangements and submission of travel claims for reimbursement. Acceptance of Summons/Complaints (Service) on behalf of the Chancellor

Public Records Request: Manage the intake and tracking of all public records requests made to the NSHE, calendar responsive deadlines. Coordinate handling, review, and response with assigned legal counsel and appropriate responsive unit. Assist, as needed, with gathering and preparation of responsive records and coordinating and/or drafting responses to the requesting party.

General Office Support: Daily handling of phone and conference calls, assisting and/or routing documents and information as necessary; handling incoming and outgoing mail and other correspondence and documentation for the Legal Affairs Office, calendaring deadlines, and events as appropriate, distributing and/or noting for follow up.

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 names, email addresses and telephone numbers of four professional references willing to be contacted. Applicants should fully describe qualifications and experience, since the initial review will serve to evaluate 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