Paralegal and Executive Assistant

Posting Details

Dickinson College is a premier four-year residential liberal arts institution chartered in 1783 and widely recognized as a leader in global and sustainability education. Dickinson College is located in Carlisle, named a “most livable city” by Forbes and is minutes from the state capital of Harrisburg. The campus is connected to a vibrant downtown that offers eclectic dining, shopping and entertainment options. Within a two-hour drive are Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C.; New York City is three hours away.

Dickinson College offers full-time employees a broad range of benefits, including a comprehensive medical insurance plan, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, generous time off, parental leave, homebuyer assistance, and tuition benefits for eligible employees and dependent children under the age of 24. Upon eligibility, the College contributes 8% of an employee’s base salary to a retirement account with an additional .5% matching contribution; all money paid by the college into the employee’s retirement plan is immediately and fully vested in the employee.

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Position Department

Job Summary/Basic Function

Position Summary

This position encompasses a broad spectrum of responsibilities, reflecting the diverse functions of the Office of the General Counsel and the dynamic nature of the college environment. The position provides basic administrative support to the Office of the General Counsel and the Vice President for Finance and Administration. The role includes both traditional paralegal activities and innovative, creative, and technical tasks. The Office provides counsel to the Board of Trustees on matters of non-profit law and board governance, and advises the President and senior staff on a wide range of legal matters, including contract administration, gifts and development, non-discrimination, conflicts of interest, student affairs, athletics, intellectual property, personnel and employment matters, and academic freedom and tenure issues. Accordingly, the ability to exercise a high degree of professionalism and judgement while handling sensitive information with discretion is imperative.

Essential Functions

• Provides daily administrative support to the Office of the General Counsel and the Vice President for Finance and Administration by managing calendars; preparing reports and correspondence; coordinating meetings; and issuing reminders. Handles incoming and outgoing mail and calls, greets visitors, and schedules Board of Trustees committee meetings and calls. Prepares materials for on-site and remote Board meetings, including arranging travel and event logistics. Maintains departmental files, records, and confidential materials to support effective operations and governance. 30%

• Provides comprehensive paralegal support to the Office of the General Counsel by coordinating litigation-related activities, including discovery, depositions, preparation of briefs and pleadings, and interaction with outside counsel and administrative agencies, while supporting case preparation and institutional legal matters. 30%

• Conducts legal research and information gathering by identifying, reviewing, and summarizing applicable laws, regulations, case law, and public records to support legal analysis, institutional decision-making, and compliance efforts. 10%

• Drafts, reviews, proofreads, revises, and manages contract agreements, settlement documents, correspondence, reports, and related legal materials to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with legal and institutional requirements. 10%

• Maintains legal files, records, and information systems by organizing case files; administering the office’s legal database; tracking matter management and contract reviews; issuing and monitoring litigation holds and bankruptcy actions; supporting responses to administrative complaints (EEOC, PHRC, OCR, DOL, DOE); coordinating with campus departments in maintaining the College Policy Manual for attorney review and institutional use. 10%

• Provides operational and administrative support by scheduling meetings; preparing materials for hearings, trials, and internal meetings; managing correspondence and records; assisting with business transactions; and developing educational and informational materials, including presentations, training resources, and newsletters, to support legal education, compliance training, and institutional communication initiatives. 10%

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Attendance at committee and general meetings.

• Occasional evening and weekend work.

• Other duties as determined or assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Not responsible for supervising others.

Requirements

• Associate's degree, paralegal or related field

• Strong knowledge of legal terminology, principles, and procedures.

• Proficiency in legal research tools and software.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Strong organizational skills.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

• Demonstrated critical thinking, proficiency in problem-solving, sound judgement, and decision-making.

• Ability to maintain discretion and confidential information.

• Prior experience in higher education and law is preferred.

• Notary Public is preferred.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and legal research databases is preferred.

Minimum Work Experience

• Less than 12 months, required.

• 1-3 years, preferred

Independence of Action

• Results are defined; incumbent sets own goals and determines how to accomplish results with few or no guidelines to follow, although precedents may exist; supervisor/manager provides broad guidance and overall direction.

Equipment Used

• Standard office equipment (computer, copier, fax machine, etc.).

Physical/Environmental Demands

• Office environment / no specific or unusual physical or environmental demands.

EEO/Diversity Statement:    

The College is committed to building a representative and diverse faculty, staff, and student body. We encourage applications from all qualified persons.