Description

Position Information

Posting Detail Information

Working Position Title
Director of Students' Legal Assistance #4255

Classification
Director

Position Number
00004255

Open Date
07/15/2025

Close Date

Priority Review Date
08/15/2025

Employee Class
Staff

Full-Time/Part Time
Full-Time

FTE
1.00

Position Status
Regular

FLSA
Exempt

Job code
1330SPS04

Union Representation
Non-Union

Union Code
N/A

Unit/Department
Student Legal Assistance

College/Unit
Stud Affairs Dean of Students

Division
Student Affairs

Location
CL 120

Link to Department Website or Custom Search Page
Students' Legal Assistance

Position Summary, Requirements, and Qualifications

Position Summary, Requirements, and Qualifications

Overview

Northern Illinois University is seeking a dedicated and experienced attorney to serve as Director of Students' Legal Assistance ( SLA ). The Director will lead the operation and strategic direction of the SLA office as a unit within the Division of Student Affairs.

Northern Illinois University is a student-centered, nationally recognized public research university, with expertise that benefits its region and spans the globe in a wide variety of fields, including the sciences, humanities, arts, business, engineering, education, health and law. The Wall Street Journal and CollegeNET recognize NIU as a leading institution for social mobility or helping its students climb the socioeconomic ladder. Through its main campus in DeKalb, Illinois, and education centers for students and working professionals in Chicago, Naperville and Rockford, NIU offers more than 100 areas of study while serving a diverse and international student body.

Position Summary

The Director of Students' Legal Assistance is responsible for overseeing the services the office provides including proactive education and outreach, consultation, legal advice, and court representation for eligible NIU students. Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, the Director supervises three graduate assistants from the College of Law who assist in fulfilling the objectives of the office, including court representation. The Director serves on the Student Affairs Leadership Team and works collaboratively with other units across campus to further the mission, vision, and goals of the University.

As a licensed attorney, the Director will provide legal counsel to NIU students, focusing on consultation and advice and providing court representation in appropriate situations. This role requires the development of the office's mission and vision while collaborating with various departments across campus to further the SLA's strategic goals. The Director will supervise three Graduate Assistants from the NIU College of Law, guiding their professional development and fostering strong relationships with the College of Law. Additionally, the Director will execute a comprehensive outreach plan to engage the student body, prioritize educational opportunities, and build strong campus relationships. In addition to direct legal services, the Director will provide policy advice and training to the Student Government Association, other student leaders, playing a key role in shaping the student experience at NIU .

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Management & Leadership - 40%

1. Manage operational and administrative direction of Students' Legal Assistance
2. Develop a mission and vision for the office, working collaboratively with departments across campus to further the department's goals
3. Report aggregate data regarding office activities, including types of cases and amount of time spent on case activities

Legal Counsel - 30%

1. Develop guidelines for the appropriateness of representing students in court
2. Act as legal counsel for eligible NIU undergraduate and graduate (domestic and international) students by providing consultation/advice and, when appropriate, court representation in Dekalb County
3. Supervise College of Law graduate assistants, acting as supervising attorney for their 711 licenses, if applicable

Outreach - 30%

1. Develop and execute a comprehensive campus outreach plan, prioritizing proactive educational opportunities and relationship-building
2. Develop a suite of educational materials that will help students navigate issues commonly seen by the Students' Legal Assistance staff

Minimum Required Qualifications (Civil Service)

N/A

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) (Civil Service)

N/A

Specialty Factors (Civil Service)

N/A

Preferred Qualifications (Civil Service)

N/A

Minimum Required Qualifications (SPS)

1. Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD) degree
2. Minimum three (3) years of practice and litigation experience in a variety of legal concerns
3. Able to practice law independently and represent individuals in court

Additional Requirements (SPS)

None

Preferred Qualifications (SPS)

• Fully licensed attorney in the state of Illinois, qualified to practice independently
• Experience in at least one of the following areas of law:
  • Landlord/Tenant issues
  • Expungements
  • Traffic
  • Domestic
• Experience working in a legal services department within a large, mission-driven organization, supporting individuals and the organization as a whole

Physical demands/requirements

• General office requirements
• Long periods of time seated/stationary

Appointment and Compensation Details

Appointment and Compensation Details

Anticipated Appointment Start Date
09/01/2025

Anticipated Appointment End Date

Percent of Staff Year
1.00

Standard Hours Per Week
37.50

Working Hours
Mon-Fri, 8:00am - 4:30pm; Varies, day, nights, weekends as needed.

Salary
$95,000.16 - $100,000.08 annually; NIU offers a robust benefits package.

Hourly or Semi-monthly Pay Rate/Range
$3,958.34 - $4,166.67/semi-monthly

Earn Type
Salary

Application Procedure

Application Procedure

Application Procedure

For full consideration, please visit https://employment.niu.edu/postings/83854 to submit the following materials by August 15, 2025:

Required Documents:

• Cover Letter - Please include your interest in employment with NIU and how your previous experiences position you for success in the role for which you are applying.
• Current Resume
• Unofficial Transcripts (official transcripts will be required within 30 days of start date)
• List of three current professional references

Applications submitted after August 15, 2025, are welcomed but will be considered as needed.

Special Instructions

Quick Link to Applicant
https://employment.niu.edu/postings/83854

Is Background Check Required?
Yes

EEO Statement Summary

In accordance with applicable statutes and regulations, NIU is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, age, disability (physical and mental), marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender (identity and expression), political affiliation, or any other factor unrelated to professional qualifications, and will comply with all applicable federal and state statutes, regulations and orders pertaining to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Ethics and Compliance Officer, Title IX Coordinator
Health Services Building Room 230
[email protected]
815-753-5560

Visa Policy

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

ADA Accommodation

NIU remains committed to ensuring that its recruitment and application procedures include full opportunities for applicants with disabilities. Employment opportunities will not be denied to anyone because of the need to make accommodations for a person's disability during either the application or interview process. An applicant who believes they require an accommodation to participate in the employment process due to a disability may request that accommodation through the Accommodation Request Form . For further assistance, please contact the office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity ( AAEO ) at [email protected] .

Safety Information

NIU provides annual reports on campus security and fire safety.
Read the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report .
Contact the Ethics and Compliance Office at 815-753-9364 for a hard copy.

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

1. Cover Letter
2. Resume/Curriculum Vitae
3. List of at least 3 Professional References
4. Transcripts (unofficial with official required at hire)

Optional Documents

1. Transcripts #2 (unofficial with official required at hire)
2. Certifications/Licensure #1
3. Certifications/Licensure #2

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).