Associate General Counsel (Fairbanks)

The University of Alaska invites applications from experienced and highly productive licensed attorneys to serve as an Associate General Counsel within the Office of the General Counsel. The Office of the General Counsel offers a challenging environment and a unique opportunity to play a critical role in the life and success of an institution serving the needs of the people of Alaska. The AGCs work in a complex yet collaborative environment analyzing and advising on a wide variety of legal issues (e.g., employment, collective bargaining, constitutional issues, contractual, law enforcement, environmental, finance, immigration, intellectual property, labor, litigation, and a unique regulatory environment). An AGC must have the ability to establish and maintain cooperative relationships, including with client representatives, colleagues, and outside counsel; and must be able to quickly gain a working knowledge of federal and state regulatory schemes, policies, programs, procedures and problems unique to the academic community and particularly to public higher education.

The Office of the General Counsel alternates between independent and collaborative working environments. The successful applicant will be able to function and thrive in both settings and will be able to establish and maintain cooperative relationships with a wide variety of constituencies and colleagues while maintaining a full professional level of skill as an attorney and advocate. In providing direct and indirect legal support to senior leadership and system-wide administrators tasked with managing institutional operations, the successful applicant should be able to approach and respond to any legal concerns which are raised with an eye to both the fiscal and operational impacts that such concerns may create.

As an AGC, you will need the ability to: analyze complex legal problems and apply legal principles, facts and precedents to a broad range of issues; effectively conduct complex legal research; present factual statements and legal arguments clearly and logically in written and oral form; draft rules, regulations and proposed legislation; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; plan, organize and coordinate with the work of others; analyze trends in legal interpretations; and effectively represent the University of Alaska in various legal forums including court, grievance proceedings and negotiations.

Minimum Qualifications

A J.D. or LL.B. from an accredited law school with the ability to practice in Alaska or eligibility for and successful immediate admission by reciprocity. Five or more years of experience as a practicing attorney with the ability to practice in Alaska or eligibility for and successful immediate admission by reciprocity. The practicing experience requirement may also be met through three years of experience as a practicing attorney combined with additional specialized experience within higher education or in closely related regulatory compliance areas. A demonstrated record of achievement handling complex legal undertakings and serving in positions requiring a high level of legal skill, judgment, interpersonal relations and planning, as well as a demonstrated interest in living in a sub-Arctic environment is required.

Position Details

At the president's discretion, this position has been designated as an officer/senior administrator of the university and is therefore at-will as defined in University Regulation 04.01.050.C. This position is located at the University of Alaska system office in Fairbanks, AK. It is a full‑time, exempt executive officer position with both a competitive salary and a full employee benefits package. UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental, and vision care coverage. Compensation is commensurate with the experience required for the job.

Please submit a cover letter, resume, professional writing sample, and three professional references.

We review applications on a rolling basis. Because we may close the posting once a sufficient pool of qualified candidates is established, we encourage early submission. Please note that once a viable pool is identified, further applications may not be reviewed.

The University of Alaska reserves the right to require employees to work on‑site at the UA facilities. Hybrid and remote work may be approved for employees based in Alaska at the University's discretion. Remote work for employees based outside the State of Alaska may be approved only in exceptional circumstances or when required by the position's job duties.

To view the full list of job responsibilities, please click HERE.

If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Sarah Randazzo, Signer's Business Office HR Coordinator, at View email address on apply.placed-app.com.

*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction. Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

The University of Alaska is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact the ADA team at View email address on apply.placed-app.com.

The University of Alaska (UA) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution. The University is committed to a policy of non‑discrimination against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.