College Counsel

Erie Community College; United States; On-site; USD 97,000 - 119,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Wellness programs

Tuition-free courses for employees and

families

Job summary

SUNY Erie Community College is seeking a Legal Affairs professional to provide comprehensive legal counsel on employment, labor relations, contracts, and compliance matters. The role also acts as the College’s chief diversity officer, overseeing civil rights compliance and investigations.

The candidate will monitor laws impacting public higher education, participate in collective bargaining, and coordinate with outside counsel and SUNY. A NYS-law license and relevant experience are required.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school and admission to practice in New York State.
• 1–2 years of professional legal experience in labor and employment law, employee relations, civil rights compliance, public-sector labor relations, higher education law, or related areas.

Responsibilities

• Provides legal advice and counsel regarding employment, labor relations, contracts, policies, regulatory compliance, and other institutional matters.
• Advises the College regarding applicable federal and New York State laws, SUNY requirements, Civil Service Law, and the Taylor Law.
• Serves as the College's chief diversity officer and provides leadership regarding equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, and civil rights compliance.
• Oversees complaints and investigations involving discrimination, harassment, Title VI/IX/ADA/Section 504 and serves as Title VI/Title IX Coordinator.
• Advises leadership on employee discipline, investigations, due process, termination, performance management, and other employee relations matters.
• Interprets and assists in the administration of collective bargaining agreements.

Skills

Employment law

Labor relations

Civil rights compliance

Investigations

Contract drafting

Negotiation

Policy interpretation

Communication

Professional judgment

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Job description

Department: Legal Affairs Salary/Hourly $108,000.00 Annual Union/Position Status: SES Posting Closing Date: November 23, 2026 Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM the evening before the posting closing date. Please note that the posting will close at midnight (12:00 AM) on the posting closing date.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITES

• Provides legal advice and counsel regarding employment, labor relations, contracts, policies, regulatory compliance, and other institutional matters
• Advises the College regarding applicable federal and New York State laws, SUNY requirements, Civil Service Law, and the Taylor Law
• Serves as the College's chief diversity officer and provides leadership regarding equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, and civil rights compliance
• Oversees and coordinate complaints and investigations involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, Title VI, Title IX, ADA, and Section 504 and serves as Title VI Coordinator and Title IX Coordinator
• Advises College leadership regarding employee discipline, investigations, due process, termination, performance management, and other employee relations matters
• Interprets and assists in the administration of collective bargaining agreements
• Participates in collective bargaining negotiations and assists in developing proposals, responses, and bargaining strategies
• Represents or assists in representing the College in grievances, arbitrations, mediations, fact-finding, PERB proceedings, and related matters
• Reviews and drafts contracts, agreements, memoranda of understanding, policies, procedures, and other legal documents
• Provides legal guidance regarding procurement, competitive bidding, grants, audits, risk management, and general liability matters
• Advises regarding Civil Service requirements, employee classifications, job descriptions, compensation, recruitment, and other employment practices
• Monitors legal and regulatory developments and recommends appropriate changes to College policies and practices
• Develops and provides training regarding labor relations, employment law, civil rights compliance, and related College policies
• Coordinates with outside counsel, SUNY, governmental agencies, and other external resources as appropriate
• Performs related duties as required

KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES

• Thorough knowledge of federal and New York State laws applicable to public higher education and employment
• thorough knowledge of labor and employee relations, collective bargaining, Civil Service Law, and the Taylor Law
• strong knowledge of civil rights and equal opportunity requirements, including Title VI, Title IX, ADA, and Section 504
• ability to interpret laws, regulations, collective bargaining agreements, and policies
• ability to conduct or oversee fair and impartial investigations
• ability to analyze complex legal and employment matters and provide practical guidance
• strong negotiation, written and verbal communication skills
• sound professional judgment
• discretion
• integrity
• and ability to establish effective working relationships with diverse constituencies

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduation from an American Bar Association accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree and admission to practice law in New York State, and one (1) to two (2) years of professional legal experience involving labor and employment law, employee relations, civil rights compliance, public-sector labor relations, higher education law, or a closely related area

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in public-sector and/or higher education labor and employment law
• collective bargaining and grievance administration
• Civil Service Law and the Taylor Law
• civil rights compliance and investigations
• advising organizational leadership on complex legal, employment, or compliance matters
• Management or supervisory experience preferred

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT

Possession and maintenance of a license to practice law in New York State throughout employment. Official transcripts will be required for successful candidates within 30 days of hire.

Contact Human Resources at [phone] with any questions.

Our mission to offer quality education includes exposing our students to a diverse range of cultures, experiences and expertise. At SUNY Erie Community College, we value diversity and encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply.

NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION

SUNY Erie Community College does not discriminate in admission, employment, or in the administration of any of its policies and programs on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, familial status, military status, domestic violence victim status, predisposing genetic characteristics, veteran status, criminal conviction, or any other characteristics protected by law. This applies to all students, applicants or other members of the College community (including, but not limited to, vendors and visitors).

Grievance procedures are available to interested persons by contacting the office listed below. Retaliation against a person who files a complaint, serves as a witness, or assists or participates in the investigation of a complaint in any manner is strictly prohibited.

The following individual has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the College’s non-discrimination policies: Civil Rights Compliance Officer Legal Affairs Office North Campus 6205 Main Street Williamsville, NY 14221 [e-mail] For further information on notice of non-discrimination, please contact: New York Office United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, 32 Old Slip 26th Floor, New York, N.Y., 10005-25010; Tel [phone]; Email: [e-mail].

SUNY Erie Community College is an Equal Opportunity Employment / Aff ...

Ideal employees will be committed to facilitating the College’s student-first experience and career-focused education; and will embrace its mission to enrich its host communities through skill, service and partnership.

• Excellent health and benefits packages are comparable to offerings through similar county and New York State positions
• Employees can take advantage of the College’s expansive Health & Wellness initiatives
• Tuition-free college courses are available for both employees and their families