Deputy General Counsel

Assist the General Counsel in providing legal advice and representation to the State Regents and the Chancellor; and provide legal advice and representation, under the direct supervision of the General Counsel, to all divisions of the agency.
Responsibilities and Duties

• Provide legal advice and representation as stated in the Essential Function section of this document.
• Serve as alternate Rules Liaison and Attestation Officer to the Oklahoma Office of Administrative Rules, review and assist agency staff in drafting administrative rules and, as needed, coordinate agency rulemaking and participate in ok.gov electronic filing of agency rules.
• Review and assist agency staff in drafting agency policies and procedures.
• Advise agency staff having responsibility for the Oklahoma College Assistance Program (OCAP).
• Review and ensure that all agency contracts, including contracts for OneNet and OCAP, meet legal requirements. Confer with staff concerning contract language, drafting, negotiation of terms and conditions, and purchasing policy.
• Serve as designated Privacy Officer for all OSRHE divisions, including OCAP and OneNet, to meet security requirements of the U.S. Department of Education including remaining current on relevant privacy laws and attending training, as needed or as required, by the U.S. Department of Education through its office of Federal Student Aid (FSA).
• Cooperate and coordinate with the Purchasing Department to complete the purchasing process including consulting with the Purchasing Department on account compromises, contracting disputes, bid protests, interpreting relevant statutes and regulations and reviewing RFP?s, ITB?s and contract renewals as required.
• Collaborate with OSRHE grant writers, federal entities and state entities to research and advise on grant related contracts, legal issues and compliance. Participate in the grant review and routing process.
• Assist outside counsel in those matters in which outside counsel is representing the agency, as needed.
• Provide counsel, in conjunction with the General Counsel, to and assist the Oklahoma Community Anchor Network (OCAN) and OneNet staff in complying with National Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA) Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) grant requirements, reviewing agreements necessary in the development and management of the network assets including, but not limited to, indefeasible right to use agreements, connectivity service agreements, contracts, and interagency agreements. Provide assistance with sustainability planning to ensure a consistent cash flow to fund network maintenance and future expansion for state economic development and institutional broadband needs.
• Provide counsel, in conjunction with the General Counsel, to management and staff across all OSRHE divisions, including OneNet and OCAP, in its agreements and contracts with other State agencies, private contractors, institutions of higher education, internet service providers, equipment provisioning and purchasing and software purchases, drafting and negotiating statewide purchasing contracts for the benefit of state educational institutions, and others in the expansion and management of the network assets. Provide legal review of uniform license agreements, service agreements and terms of use for hardware and software purchases.
• Provide counsel, in conjunction with the General Counsel, to the State Higher Education Chief Information Officer.
• Provide assistance and counsel to the Oklahoma Free Speech Committee to the OSRHE as assigned by the General Counsel.
• Serve as designated Title VI coordinator for the state system of higher education.
• Other similar duties as assigned.

Minimum QualificationsAttorney licensed to practice in Oklahoma, with minimum of five (5) years of experience. Must be a detail-oriented person with a strong academic record and good research, writing and oral presentation skills. An ability to effectively communicate and professionally interact with agency staff, higher education institutions, and state and federal agencies, is essential. Some travel is required.
Preferred QualificationsGeneral knowledge of information technology and experience working with IT related vendors. Experience working in or with a government agency is preferred. Some supervisory/management experience is desirable.
SupervisionThe employee performs work under the supervision of the General Counsel.
Work Hours Agency offices are open to the public from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. Monday through Friday. These are the normal office hours for Agency employees. Physical DemandsAbility to sit and stand for extended periods of time. Exhibit manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination to operate a computer, keyboard, photocopier, telephone, calculator and other office equipment. Ability to see and read a computer screen and printed material with or without vision aids. Ability to hear and understand speech at normal levels, with or without aids. Ability to communicate clearly. Physical ability to lift up to 25 pounds, to bend, stoop, climb stairs, walk and reach. Must use the proper manual handling equipment including but not limited to dollies, carts and lift team members. Duties are normally performed in an office environment with a moderate noise level.
DisclaimerThe above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

Work Location: In person