College Counsel

East Central College; Williamsville (IL); On-site; USD 97,000 - 119,000; Full time

Job summary

SUNY Erie Community College seeks an experienced in-house attorney to lead its Legal Affairs Office. The role provides legal counsel on employment, labor relations, contracts, and civil rights compliance, advising college leadership on complex matters.

The incumbent serves as Chief Diversity Officer, oversees Title VI/Title IX and ADA compliance, coordinates investigations, and works with SUNY, outside counsel, staff and unions to maintain equitable college practices.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an ABA‑accredited law school and admission to practice in New York.
• 1–2 years of professional legal experience in labor and employment law or closely related areas.
• Experience with civil rights compliance and higher education law preferred.
• Ability to interpret laws, regulations, and collective bargaining agreements; strong analytical skills.
• Excellent negotiation, written and verbal communication abilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal counsel on employment, labor relations, contracts, and regulatory compliance.
• Advise College leadership on employment law, collective bargaining, and equal opportunity matters.
• Serve as Title VI/Title IX Coordinator and oversee civil rights investigations.
• Coordinate discrimination, harassment, and retaliation matters with stakeholders and outside counsel.
• Draft and review contracts, policies, and legal documents; advise on procurement and risk management.
• Collaborate with SUNY, external agencies, and stakeholders to ensure compliance.

Skills

Labor relations

Civil rights compliance

Employment law

Regulatory compliance

Negotiation

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

New York State bar admission

ABA-accredited law school

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.

JOB DESCRIPTION

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

The work involves responsibility for providing legal counsel and leadership in labor and employee relations, civil rights compliance, and other institutional legal matters for SUNY Erie Community College. The incumbent advises College leadership on employment and labor law, collective bargaining, regulatory compliance, contracts, policies, and equal opportunity matters.

The incumbent serves as the chief diversity officer and provides leadership and oversight for compliance with applicable civil rights and equal opportunity laws and SUNY requirements, including Title VI, Title IX, Section 504, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. The incumbent oversees or coordinates discrimination, harassment, and retaliation matters and supports equitable and consistent College practices.

The position exercises significant independent professional judgment in handling confidential and complex matters and works collaboratively with College leadership, Human Resources, employees, students, union representatives, SUNY, and outside counsel. Supervision may be exercised over professional and support staff. Does related work as required.

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; and 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 26thFloor,

New York, N.Y., 10005-25010;

Tel [phone]; Email: [e-mail].