The Talent Acquisition department hires qualified candidates to fill positions which contribute to the overall strategic success of Howard University. Hiring staff “for fit” makes significant contributions to Howard University’s overall mission.
At Howard University, we prioritize well-being and professional growth.
Here is what we offer:
-
Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus mental health support
-
Work-Life Balance: PTO, paid holidays, flexible work arrangements
-
Financial Wellness: Competitive salary, 403(b) with company match
-
Professional Development: Ongoing training, tuition reimbursement, and career advancement paths
-
Additional Perks: Wellness programs, commuter benefits, and a vibrant company culture
Join Howard University and thrive with us!
https://hr.howard.edu/benefits-wellness
We are recruiting an Associate General Counsel for Faculty Affairs and Employment or a Senior Associate General Counsel, Faculty Affairs, Employment & Labor Relations. The selected incumbent provides in-house legal counsel and strategic collaboration with Howard University and Howard University Hospital executives, academic administrators and Office of Human Resources professionals regarding a comprehensive range of employment and labor relations matters. Advises and represents the University and Hospital on employment matters including but not limited to wrongful termination, discrimination, workers' compensation and wage and hour claims brought by University and Hospital employees, including providing advice and counseling to University executives, academic administrators and Office of Human Resources professionals to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations as well as advising on such matters in litigation.
Provides counsel and legal sufficiency review of legal documents, settlement agreements, discipline, suspensions, terminations, workplace policies, handbooks and other documents concerning employees. Supervises and manages outside counsel in employment and labor relations matters.
A candidate for the Senior Associate General Counsel will have substantial labor experience, in addition to a strong foundation in an employment related practice. The Senior Associate General Counsel will provide in-house legal counsel services and represents Howard University as the supervisor of the primary in-house labor attorney handling all matters involving the bargaining units of the University and Hospital and related collective bargaining agreements.
Supervisory Accountability:
A candidate for the Associate General Counsel position will not have any direct supervisory accountability, but is expected to be primarily responsible for all employment and faculty related matters with a high level of autonomy.
The Senior Associate General Counsel will supervise all employment-related and labor-related work of other staff attorneys. Serves as supervisor of other in-house counsel who will be first chair on labor, collective bargaining and union matters.
Nature and Scope:
Internal contacts include administrators, faculty, and staff of the University. External contacts include federal and local courts and administrative agencies including EEOC, OHR, DOL and OWH.
Principal Accountabilities:
A candidate for the Associate General Counsel position will have primary responsibilities to provide in-house legal advice, interpretation, and representation in a broad range of legal issues with employment related matters with knowledge of the labor process. In addition, a candidate for the Senior Associate General Counsel position will have supervisory responsibility for labor matters, including but not limited to representation in government agency investigations, grievances, arbitrations, and in cases before the National Labor Relations Board.
Responsibilities include reviewing and drafting workplace handbooks, policies and guidelines for legal sufficiency; providing review and recommendations regarding various regulatory and compliance matters.
Other responsibilities include conducting formal training on EEO, wage & hour, mandated leave benefits, union representation, whistleblower, and other pertinent employment and labor law topics for new hires, current employees, and leadership.
The incumbent also prepares legal documents such as offer letters, academic appointment contracts, settlement agreements, termination agreements, collective-bargaining agreements, employment agreements. Also responsible for overseeing preparation of responses to information requests directed at Howard University or Hospital, advisory memoranda and documents relating to collective bargaining agreements, litigation matters or agency proceedings.
Represents the University in legal and quasi-legal proceedings, including the District of Columbia and Federal courts and before government agencies on employment and labor relations matters and on other legal matters. Represents the University in hearings, meetings and in other forums related to University legal matters, as needed.
Drafts and negotiates commitments involving University resources; principally contracts, settlements, other agreements and statements of University policy for subsequent approval by the General Counsel and University Officers.
Reviews documents for other University offices for legal implications and possible legal policy questions.
Responds to University officials' request for advice in areas of assigned responsibility.
Serves as office resource on updates and developments in employment and labor law.
Provides legal expertise and otherwise represents the office in meetings with University officials and individuals outside of the University.
Provides counseling, advice, and guidance to academic administrators, supervisors and other management officials on faculty and staff conduct and performance problems.
Provides assistance with conflict resolution, as requested. Furnishes recommendations to academic administrators, department heads, managers, and supervisors concerning possible courses of action in handling employee problems and concerns. Reviews employee discipline and discharge matters and makes recommendation for appropriate course of action.
Reviews statistics and surveys and prepares analyses for review by the General Counsel. Reviews periodic utilization reports and develops appropriate management responses. Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
Core Competencies:
Detailed knowledge of federal and local laws applicable to employment and labor relations, and judicial and administrative agency systems and procedures.
Ability to conduct and manage adversarial proceedings on behalf of the University and Hospital before courts and administrative agencies.
Ability to plan, direct and conduct independent legal research and related analyses on a variety of labor and employment law topics.
Ability to participate effectively in fact-finding investigations, present findings and develop related recommendations.
Ability to articulate the University's position, listen and negotiate effectively.
Superior verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to draft, review, revise and edit documents in Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Ability to identify possible need for action and to plan, supervise, and execute appropriate assignments with minimal guidance or supervision.
Ability to work productively under pressure, to adhere to and enforce deadlines, and to project need for and effectuate team efforts required to meet deadlines.
Ability to follow guidance and direction and to provide effective guidance and direction.
Ability to establish and maintain effective and harmonious work relations with faculty, staff, students, University officials, union representatives and the general public.
Minimum Requirements:
A candidate for the Associate General Counsel position will have a Juris Doctor from an accredited law school and six years of post J.D. legal experience which includes at least four years of substantial employment experience, with additional knowledge of the labor process.
A candidate for the Senior Associate General Counsel will have a Juris Doctor from an accredited law school and eight years of substantial labor and employment experience.
All candidates must have a strong academic record; excellent oral and written communication skills. Membership or eligibility for membership in the District of Columbia Bar is required.
Compliance Salary Range Disclosure
Salary Range:
The anticipated salary for the Associate General Counsel position is $172,800.
The anticipated salary for the Senior Associate General Counsel position is $207,800.
