Associate General Counsel

Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community.

Job Summary

The California Institute of Technology ("Caltech" or the "Institute") is an independent, privately supported research university located in Pasadena, California. Caltech has approximately 2500 students, 300 professorial faculty and 2500 employees. Caltech is dedicated to offering an exceptional work experience and was named Forbes' 2023 Best Mid-Sized Employer.

Caltech's Office of General Counsel ("OGC") provides legal counsel and advice to the entire Institute, including the Campus, Caltech affiliated organizations such as its astronomical observatories, and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory ("JPL"). JPL is a federally funded research and development center ("FFRDC") that Caltech manages on behalf of NASA and that has approximately 6000 Caltech employees.

OGC is seeking an experienced, versatile attorney to advise on a wide range of complex issues and sophisticated legal matters. The successful candidate will embrace Caltech's commitment to collaboration, innovation, diversity, and excellence and, as part of Caltech's OGC, will serve as an integral part of Caltech's community of bright, curious, and passionate professionals. They will be part of a supportive, independent, committed, and collaborative group of professionals in which teamwork and building strong relationships with colleagues and clients is a priority.

This position is for an associate general counsel who will provide legal counsel, support, and advice across the Institute, including at JPL, on a broad range of legal and policy matters that have a significant Institute-wide impact. The attorney selected for this position will have a diverse practice and will also be willing to learn new areas of law and develop new skills.

This is a Campus Critical position. An employee designated as campus critical is expected to be aware of the campus emergency management plan and to report to Campus as soon as possible in the event of an emergency to assist in campus wide response and recovery efforts.

Job Duties

• Provide legal counsel, advice, and support on labor and employment matters, including employee and student benefits programs and ERISA, wage and hour, pay equity, affirmative action, Equal Employment Opportunity, immigration, labor relations, and multistate and international employment legal and tax compliance.
• Advise and provide legal counsel on the Institute's policies and procedures, including such areas as nondiscrimination and unlawful harassment.
• Provide counsel on matters related to research policy, compliance, research integrity, research security, and conflicts of interest.
• Advise on compliance with regulatory and Federal agency requirements applicable to the performance of federally sponsored research at Caltech and JPL, including compliance with NSF, NIH, DOE, DOD, DARPA and NASA policies and regulations.
• Advise and support Caltech's Title IX and Equity Office with respect to policies, investigations, hearings, and training.
• Advise on student and academic affairs matters such as disability access and accommodations; student academic and conduct violations, discipline and leaves; political activity; student privacy and records; admissions and financial aid; diversity initiatives; student organizations; and community safety.
• Review and advise on transactional matters, including tax, procurement, gifts, and other business-related issues.
• Develop and conduct trainings for employees, students, and management across the Institute, including JPL, on matters that cover a broad range of compliance topics.
• Develop and foster impactful relationships with Caltech stakeholders and affiliates to create meaningful partnerships that will contribute to the Institute's mission.
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned by the Deputy General Counsel and General Counsel.

Essential Qualifications

• J.D. degree from an ABA accredited law school.
• 10+ years of legal experience as a practicing attorney.
• Member in good standing with the California Bar.
• Excellent academic credentials, writing, analytical, and communication skills, and a strong sense of ethics.
• Sustained and substantive legal experience in diverse areas of law and policy and a strong interest in having a diverse practice.
• Ability to work collaboratively and establish strong relationships with different constituencies across the entire Institute, including faculty, senior administration, managers, scientists, engineers, and business clients, as well as constituencies that support the complex research and technology activities of Caltech and its facilities.
• Ability to analyze, identify, and provide counsel on a broad range of compliance and legal requirements while at the same time balancing the interests of the Institute and client organizations in a research and educational environment as well as supporting JPL as NASA's FFRDC.
• A strategic thinker who can approach issues and solutions creatively and pragmatically while remaining focused on the particular needs and mission of the Institute.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education, particularly at a research university.
• Experience in employee benefits and ERISA matters.
• Experience in compliance with Federal government laws and regulations.
• Familiarity or experience with FFRDCs, federal laboratories, or federal government contractors.

Required Documents

• Resume.
• Cover Letter.
• References upon request.