University Counsel - Real Estate, Land Use and Construction

Company: The California State University
Location: Long Beach
Posted on: February 22, 2021

Job Description:

Job Title:
University Counsel - Real Estate, Land Use and Construction Description:
Chancellor's Office Statement
Join our team at the California State University, Office of the Chancellor, and make a difference in providing access to higher education. We are currently seeking experienced candidates for the position of University Counsel - Real Estate, Land Use and Construction. The CSU Chancellor's Office, located on the waterfront adjacent to the Aquarium of the Pacific in downtown Long Beach, is the headquarters for the nation's largest and most diverse system of higher education. The CSU Chancellor's Office offers a premium benefit package that includes outstanding vacation, health, and dental plans; a fee waiver education program; membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS); and 14 paid holidays a year.

Salary
Commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Position Information
University Counsel - Real Estate, Land Use and Construction will be located in the headquarters office in Long Beach, and will be assigned to work on a systemwide basis with all 23 campuses and the Chancellor's Office (C.O.), initially spending 50% time on the SDSU Mission Valley site. In collaboration with campus counsel and all other attorneys in the Office of General Counsel, the incumbent will provide legal advice and counsel to CSU administrators with respect to Real Estate, Land Use and Construction projects throughout the system. The incumbent will be a subject matter expert in all types of real estate transactions, real estate records, public private partnerships, the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), public land use matters, and all phases of construction.

Responsibilities
Under the general direction of the Assistant Vice Chancellor and Chief Counsel - Business & Finance, the University Counsel - Real Estate, Land Use and Construction will:
-Provide and coordinate full spectrum systemwide real estate, land use, and construction (RELUC) legal advice and counsel to the Chancellor's Office and all 23 campuses.
-Collaborate with and advise campus and system clients to negotiate and draft various real estate transaction documents and agreements, including but not limited to option agreements, exclusive negotiation agreements, acquisition agreements (donated, purchased, or transferred to the CSU from other government entities and private individuals and entities), sale agreements, ground leases, easements, licenses, facilities use, right of entry permits, with a specialized focus on complex public-private partnership (P3) projects, environmental and land use planning, public works competitive bidding, public works construction projects, and familiarity with determinations of application of prevailing wage laws on public works and P3 projects.
-Provide legal assistance to system and campus clients in negotiations with P3 developers, contractors, consultants, outside counsel, and other stakeholders on the terms of P3 transactions most favorable to the CSU.
-Create proposed legal strategies and engage in relationship building with internal and external stakeholders to obtain support and approval for complex real estate transactions and construction projects.
-Develop and maintain good communication with systemwide executives and administrators, campus Presidents, and key campus administrators, and have a good understanding of the politics and priorities unique to the CSU and all campuses.
-Communicate directly with Chancellor's Office and campus clients, including systemwide executives, campus presidents, key campus administrators, external counsel and consultants, and colleagues in the Office of General Counsel.
-Provide timely updates to the General Counsel on all significant RELUC matters.
-Maintain expertise in real estate, land use, CEQA, and construction laws to serve as an office and systemwide expert and resource.
-Coordinate with system and campus clients on the adequacy of draft CEQA documents and CEQA compliance related to campus master plans and major capital projects as needed.
-Participate in and provide training and education to CSU clients related to real estate, land use, CEQA, and construction.
-Serve on Chancellor's Office and systemwide real estate, land use/development, and P3 committees and work groups, as assigned.
-Contribute to the mission of the CSU and the Office of General Counsel and may from time to time be asked to assume responsibilities outside of their principal functions.

Qualifications
This position requires:
-Admission to the California State Bar; graduation from an ABA accredited law school.
-Minimum of five years of full-time legal experience is required and at least ten years of legal, real estate transactional, CEQA, and construction experience is preferred.
-Superior verbal and written communication skills; and the ability to develop and implement effective strategies for handling complex University legal issues.
-Statewide travel is required.
-The RELUC University Counsel must be licensed in California and be in good standing with the California State Bar.
-Experience in real estate financing is preferred, especially as it relates to assessing the quality of private developer bid proposals.
-Experience in dealing with local government agencies is also preferred.

Application Period
Resumes will be accepted until job posting is removed. Priority consideration given to candidates who apply by February 18, 2021.

How To Apply
To apply for this posting:
Step 1: Click on the link at the top of the screen.
Step 2: Login or Register (Create Username and Password)
Step 3: Select to apply with resume
Step 4: Upload resume
Step 5: Provide contact information and verify application information
Step 6: Click 'Submit'
Step 7: Send the following documents by e-mail to ogcrecruit@calstate.edu: (1) cover letter highlighting your legal experience; and (2) two recent writing samples.


Equal Employment Opportunity
The university is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, National origin, sex, sexual orientation, covered veteran status, or any other protected status. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting the Senior Human Resources Manager at (562)951-4070.

E-Verify
This position requires new hire employment verification to be processed through the E-Verify program administered by the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (DHSUSCIS)' in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA).

If hired, you will be required to furnish proof that you are legally authorized to work in the United States.

Mandated Reporter Per CANRA
The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Conflict of Interest
The duties of this position will include participation in decisions that may have a material financial benefit to the incumbent. Therefore, the selected candidate will be required to file Conflict of Interest Form 700: Statement of Economic Interest when they first occupy the position, and on an annual basis, complete ethics training within 6 months of appointment, and attend this training every other year thereafter.

Background
The Chancellor's Office policy requires that the selected candidate successfully complete a full background check (including a criminal records check) prior to assuming this position.

Title IX
Please view the Notice of Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Gender or Sex and Contact Information for Title IX Coordinator at: https://www2.calstate.edu/titleix California State University
Office of the Chancellor

Keywords: The California State University, Long Beach , University Counsel - Real Estate, Land Use and Construction, Professions , Long Beach, California