Job Description:

Job Summary

This posting is for the PA State System of Higher Ed, Office of the Chancellor.


The position is based in Harrisburg, PA with some travel required. While this position is primarily remote, occasional in-office availability in Harrisburg is required. The successful candidate will be a resident of PA.

Under the direction of the Chief Counsel, the Staff Attorney (Transactional) serves primarily as a University Legal Counsel supporting the Procurement Shared Services division for Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education (State System), which is comprised of the Office of the Chancellor and the State System's ten universities. This position is transactional focused and requires a demonstrated capability for legal research, analysis and reasoning, superior oral and written communication skills, an ability to identify and resolve complicated and sensitive problems creatively and with professional discretion, and an ability to interact and function effectively in an academic community. This position requires the exercise of confidentiality and independent judgment. Areas of practice include, but are not limited to: Pennsylvania Procurement Code and its processes; construction law and governmental requirements related to construction; reviewing and managing all types of contractual matters; governmental regulatory compliance; employment law and employee benefits; real estate; sponsored research and technology transfer; student affairs and academic requirements; gifts and estates; litigation management; and general non-profit corporation law and governmental practice.



Major Responsibilities:

• Draft, negotiate, amend, and provide counsel on agency contracts. In this position the Staff Attorney (Transactional) will assist in advising the Procurement Shared Services division of the State System, Chief Counsel, and other State System employees on the proper interpretation of laws and the subsequent appropriate courses of legal action, specifically, although not exclusively, related to procurement matters.


• Assist in preparing and implementing institution-wide strategies for preventing legal problems.


• Provide training on contracting and procurement laws and processes.


• Work with and supervise outside counsel in an effort to control legal costs and ensure proper handling of cases related to matters involving the State System.


• Perform assignments from the Chief Counsel or another supervising attorney as appropriate.


• Perform related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

The successful candidate for this position will have a minimum of three (3) years, with a preference for five (5) or more years, of relevant legal experience handling progressively complex contracting and transactional matters; a demonstrated capability for legal research, analysis and reasoning; superior interpersonal and ommunication skills; an ability to identify and resolve complicated and sensitive problems creatively and with professional discretion; an ability and willingness to handle a wide variety of intricate legal questions both independently and as part of a team; and an ability to interact and function effectively in both an academic community and within a governmental organization. Prior practice in Commonwealth Procurement law preferred. This position frequently requires a thoughtful exercise of confidentiality and independent judgment.

In addition to the aforementioned minimum of 3 years of pertinent experience, the successful applicant must have a Juris Doctor degree from an American Bar Association (ABA)-accredited law school, be a member in good standing with the Pennsylvania Bar, and complete successful interviews and background checks. Higher education, government and/or labor experience is preferred. Candidate must complete successful personal interviews and background checks.

Preferred Qualifications

Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to maintain cordial and responsive relations with client universities and university personnel.


• Ability to advocate a legal position before administrative agencies, municipalities, courts and other relevant forums.


• Ability to conduct thorough and up-to-date research on legal issues, knowledge of principles of law and keep abreast of new developments in law.


• Ability to organize and balance workload, priorities, assignments and maintain commitments in a timely manner.


• Ability to understand and advise client on legal issues; to craft advice in a way that meets with the needs of the client.


• Demonstrate knowledge of ethics as related to the practice of law and as evidenced in daily practice.


• A thorough and up-to-date knowledge of the areas of law relevant to area(s) of concentration.


• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Access, Excel, Teams, and Outlook, and the ability to complete job duties in a variety of software programs utilized by the State System, and ability to use provided computer technology to enhance the quality of work and programs.


• Ability to express ideas clearly, effectively, persuasively, and accurately, both orally and in writing.


• Ability to handle sensitive issues and communications with accuracy, confidentiality and discretion.


• Strong behavioral competencies related to results orientation, customer service, continuous improvement, teamwork and collaboration, and being able to work within a dynamic and diverse environment

Supplemental Information

Applicants must submit an application, resume, three professional references (with contact information) and a writing sample. Application materials will be accepted until position is filled; however, to ensure full consideration, application materials should be received no later than end of day on November 22, 2024.


Applicants interested in this position may apply to this online job board by clicking the "Apply" button above. This position is at the PA State System of Higher Education; Office of the Chancellor, and Kutztown University HR is only providing HR Administration Services, these are
not KU positions.


Alternatively, interested attorneys also may send a cover letter setting forth interest in this position, resume, and writing sample no later than November 22, 2024, to ogchiring@pa.gov, directed to Derek Riker, Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of General Counsel, 333 Market Street, 17th Floor Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17101.


PASSHE is very interested in hiring employees who have had extensive experience with diverse populations.We are an AA/EOE/member of the PA State System of Higher Education and actively solicits applications from women and minority candidates.Non-Discrimination StatementThe Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education prohibits any form of discrimination or harassment on the basis of sex, race, color, age, religion, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, marital or family status, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, or disability in any decision regarding admissions, employment, or participation in a University program or activity in accordance with the letter and spirit of federal, state, and local non-discrimination and equal opportunity laws, such as Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act and ADA Amendments Act, the Equal Pay Act, and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act. For information regarding civil rights or grievance procedures and for inquiries concerning the application of Title IX and its implementing regulation, contact Christa Cobb, State System Title IX Coordinator, 2300 Vartan Way, Suite 207, Harrisburg, PA 17110; Phone: (717)720.4167; Email: CCobb@passhe.edu. Additionally, inquiries concerning Title IX and its implementing regulation can be made to the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights, Region III, The Wanamaker Building, 100 Penn Square East - Suite 505, Philadelphia, PA 19107; Phone: (215) 656-6010; Fax: (215) 656-6020.

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