Legal Assistant

Basic Functions Serve as legal assistant to the Office of the General Counsel while also providing high‑level confidential administrative and operational support for executive‑level institutional initiatives and matters under the direction of the President’s Office. The incumbent will provide a full range of legal and executive administrative services in a fast‑paced environment and will be required to work independently, efficiently, and in a time‑sensitive manner. The incumbent will be exposed to sensitive, confidential, and/or privileged information and communications which must be held in strict confidence. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Assist the General Counsel and President’s Office in carrying out professional, administrative, operational, and institutional responsibilities relating to legal services, executive initiatives, and College operations as required. Process and type legal memoranda using proper legal citations to federal and state statutes, regulations, and case law. Process and type legal documents and instruments of every kind, including contracts and memoranda. Assist General Counsel in the preparation, review, processing, and approval of college contracts, including previewing documents to identify contract language requiring attorney review and contracts previously approved. Assist General Counsel in the review, preparation, revision and approval process of college policies. Coordinate and manage, in consultation with the General Counsel, formal responses to the Rhode Island Access to Public Records (APRA) requests and communications regarding other legal notices. Complete annual Rhode Island Attorney General APRA and Open Meetings Act (OMA) training. Provide confidential administrative services, including arranging and scheduling meetings; preparing, maintaining and typing reports, memoranda and correspondence; drafting and responding to routine correspondence; preparing and maintaining spreadsheets. Maintain a high degree of professionalism and sensitivity, in dealing directly with the public, students, faculty, staff, and officials (both within and outside the College) on behalf of the General Counsel. Prioritize responses to correspondence, phone calls and various issues, thereby minimizing demands on the time of the General Counsel, allowing them to focus on broader and more critical issues. Maintain and manage computer file system; prepare and administer legal file folders and manage record retention and destruction and documentation of destruction of files in consultation with the General Counsel and in accordance with department protocols. Maintain and file state OMA and APRA training certificates and continuing legal education certificates for General Counsel and staff. In consultation with the General Counsel develop and maintain office files and budget records and ensure their confidentiality. Assist with special projects, executive initiatives, institutional communications, and operational matters on behalf of the President’s Office and Executive Team as assigned. Provide confidential administrative and coordination support related to Executive Team meetings, institutional initiatives, strategic planning efforts, and cross‑divisional projects. Prepare, coordinate, track, and maintain sensitive materials, reports, presentations, and correspondence related to executive‑level initiatives and institutional priorities. Coordinate communications and follow‑up activities among senior leadership offices while maintaining appropriate confidentiality and professionalism. Support institutional compliance, governance, policy, and operational functions as assigned by the President’s Office and Office of the General Counsel. Other Duties and Responsibilities Perform other duties as assigned. Licenses, Tools and Equipment Personal computers, printers, word processing, database management, and spreadsheet software. Microsoft Office. Environmental Conditions The incumbent is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions. Required Qualifications Associate’s Degree. Demonstrated experience in a responsible legal support position; demonstrated organizational skills; demonstrated ability to handle multiple assignments concurrently; demonstrated ability to independently resolve issues under tight deadlines; demonstrated strong verbal and interpersonal communication skills; demonstrated proficiency in written communication; demonstrated attention to detail; demonstrated experience in using Microsoft Office platform programs; and demonstrated ability to work with diverse groups/populations. Preferred Qualifications Demonstrated experience in a responsible legal support position within an institution of higher education. Rhode Island College is an equal opportunity employer. The institution does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law. Rhode Island College is committed to maintaining a workplace and educational environment that supports equal opportunity, professionalism and respectful engagement for all community members. #J-18808-Ljbffr