Legal Counsel (Litigation and Land Use Attorney)

Legal Counsel (Litigation and Land Use Attorney)

Job ID: 106938
Location: Oregon City, Oregon
Full/Part Time: Full Time
Regular/Temporary:Regular

CLACKAMAS COUNTY CORE VALUES

WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO PRINT OR SAVE THIS JOB ANNOUNCEMENT FOR YOUR REFERENCE.

IT WILL NOT BE ACCESSIBLE AFTER THE CLOSE DATE.



Clackamas County employees work to serve the public and enrich our community. In that spirit, we pledge to hold ourselves to these standards at all times in our interactions with customers and one another:

Service Professionalism Integrity Respect Individual accountability Trust

By incorporating these values into our daily routines, we can better serve our customers, ourselves and our projects. We're always looking to improve. That's the Clackamas County SPIRIT.

Clackamas County Core Values

Clackamas County is committed to building a community where people thrive, have a sense of safety, connection, and belonging, so that everyone is honored and celebrated for the richness in diversity they bring.We encourage applicants of diverse backgrounds and lived experience to apply.



CLOSE DATE

This Job Posting closes at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific Time) on Wednesday, June 7, 2023.


PAY AND BENEFITS

Legal Counsel 1

Annual Pay Range: $85,683.13 - $115,672.20

Hourly Pay Range: $41.193813 - $55.611634

Legal Counsel 2

Annual Pay Range: $109,355.56 - $147,630.59

Hourly Pay Range: $52.574787 - $70.976243

Salary offers will be made within the posted pay range and will be based on a candidate's experience (paid or unpaid) that is directly relevant to the position.

Clackamas County proudly offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, including competitive wages, cost-of-living adjustments, merit increases (for eligible employees), and a robust sick and vacation plan for regular status employees.

We encourage and support employee health and wellness by offering, health and wellness classes and events, and alternative care benefits, so you can customize your wellness needs to fit your lifestyle.

Employee benefits become effective the first of the month following an employee's date of hire.

Attractive benefits package and incentives for employees in regular status positions are detailed below.

Generous paid time off package, including:

• 16 hours of vacation accrual per month
• 8 hours of sick accrual per month
• 10 paid holidays and 1 personal day per year

Other Benefits:

• Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP):
  • Employer-paid 6% PERS retirement contribution (The county currently pays the employee's share of the retirement contribution.)
  • OPSRP members get vested after five years of contributions or when they reach age 65
• A Choice of Medical Plans that include chiropractic coverage, alternative care, vision, and prescription drug coverage
• A Choice of Dental Plans
• Robust EAP and wellness programs, including gym discounts and wellness education classes
• Longevity pay
• Other retirement Savings Options that allow for additional retirement funds savings, including an option to contribute a portion of employee earnings on a pre or post-tax basis to a 457b Deferred Compensation Plan
• A variety of additional optional benefits (see links below for additional information)

This is a full time non-represented group 2 County position

Non-Represented Group 2 Full Time Benefits

Learn More About Benefits


JOB DETAILS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Come join a great team and make a difference by the work you would do!

Clackamas County is looking for a driven and public service minded attorney who has a background in litigation and land use to join our Office of County Counsel.

Serving as a Legal Counsel, the selected candidate will assist the County Counsel and Senior Legal Counsel staff in a variety of legal matters and will also provide general legal assistance to county departments. This may include prosecuting, defending, appealing, and negotiating civil lawsuits and other legal proceedings, such as land use, building code enforcement, condemnation, and dog control. This will include researching, negotiating, and ensuring compliance with federal and state regulatory requirements in addition to providing legal advice and guidance to county officials.

The Office of County Counsel provides legal representation and advice to the Board of County Commissioners, county departments, elected officials, and other authorities in relation to their official duties.

As a driven attorney the ideal candidate to join the County Counsel team will:

• Be an analytical thinker
• Bring excellent research and writing skills
• Have the ability to work collaboratively to solve problems by developing practical solutions that combine legal considerations with program and policy objectives.
• Have the ability to think strategically and creatively
• Have strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrate highly effective research, writing, and oral communication skills
• Have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, government agencies, court system personnel, private and public attorneys, County employees and the public.
• Demonstrate highest quality level work and strong work ethic
• Have a strong legal background in land use matters

Clackamas County is considering candidates meeting the Legal Counsel 1 or Legal Counsel 2 classification requirements. The level at which the successful candidate is hired will be determined by the hiring manager.

• The Legal Counsel 1 is an entry level classification utilized for attorneys with no prior experience in the licensed practice of civil law. Incumbents at this level are under close supervision.
• The Legal Counsel 2 is a journey level classification utilized for attorneys with prior experience in the licensed practice of civil law. Incumbents at this level are under general supervisor.

Required Minimum Qualifications/ Transferrable Skills:*

Legal Counsel 1

• Active member of the Oregon State Bar in good standing prior to appointment. If you are currently licensed in another state, for information about the reciprocity process, please visit the Oregon State Bar Admissions website.
• A juris doctor degree from an accredited law school.
• Experience with land use matters.

Legal Counsel 2

• Minimum of three (3) years of professional, civil legal experience as an attorney.
• Active member of the Oregon State Bar in good standing prior to appointment. If you are currently licensed in another state, for information about the reciprocity process, please visit the Oregon State Bar Admissions website.
• A juris doctor degree from an accredited law school.
• Experience with land use matters.

Preferred Special Qualifications/ Transferrable Skills:*

• Direct experience providing legal advice and counsel in a government setting such as a federal, state, city, county, or similar jurisdiction.
• Experience with Federal, State, and local statutes, regulations, rules, and ordinances applicable to county or Oregon municipal activities and functions, including municipal liability, public meetings, contracts, public records, and principles of negotiation.
• Experience with land use matters, including the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals.
• Experience providing legal representation on matters related to building code enforcement.
• Experience providing legal representation on matters related to condemnation.
• Experience providing legal representation on matters related to dog control.
• Civil litigation experience in drafting pleadings, discovery, motion practice, civil bench and jury trials, and appeals.
• Experience in tort, employment, contract, and civil rights litigation.
• Experience in a collaborative team environment of other attorneys and legal staff.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• Must pass a criminal history check which may include national or state fingerprint records check
• Driving is required for County business on a regular basis or to accomplish work. Incumbents must possess a valid driver's license, and possess and maintain an acceptable driving record throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the County's driving policy

*For Veterans qualified for Veteran's Preference: If you believe you have skills that would transfer well to this position and/or special qualifications that relate to this position, please list those skills and/or qualifications in the open-ended question at the end of the application and explain how those skills and/or qualifications relate to this position.


TYPICAL TASKS

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Assists senior legal staff as a legal resource for all County departments and service districts or more legal specialties and serves as a backup to other assigned specialties; advise County departments on appropriate action for a variety of legal problems and issues; interprets Federal, State and local legislation, statutes, rules and regulations; reviews and makes recommendations on proposed policy and procedural changes.

• Researches, studies and interprets the application of law, court decisions and other legal authorities and precedents; prepares legal opinions, memoranda and briefs.

• On behalf of the County, and under the direction of senior legal staff, prosecutes, defends and appeals legal actions, and other proceedings related to land use, building code enforcement, condemnation, and dog control; prepares and presents cases at trials or hearing; investigates facts; interviews and deposes witnesses; prepares case reports and summaries; evaluates and negotiates out of court settlements.

• Assists senior legal staff to provide legal counsel to County officers, assigned County departments and various boards and commissions; attends public meetings and work sessions; advises on legal rights and responsibilities and other legal issues.

• Interacts, confers and negotiates with private attorneys regarding County legal matters.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Please review the classification specifications, which include the knowledge and skills for each position (Legal Counsel 1 and Legal Counsel 2) by clicking on the following links:

• Legal Counsel 1
• Legal Counsel 2.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The Legal Counsel 1 and 2, position is an “at will” position and serves under the County Counsel on an employment Contract.


WORK SCHEDULE

This position is included in the County's alternate workweek program, working 40 hours during a standard workweek of Monday through Thursday (Fridays off).

Specific hours of work will be discussed with the candidate selected for this position at the time an offer of employment is extended. This position is eligible for hybrid on-site/telework subject to the Clackamas County Teleworking Policy and based on the Department's business needs. The exact amount of on-site/telework and schedule will be discussed with the hiring manager during time of offer. Telework locations cannot be located outside of Oregon or Washington. Washington residents must perform 50% of their time on-site at Clackamas County.


EXPLORE CLACKAMAS COUNTY

Clackamas County is in a prime location in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area and is recognized nationally as one of the most livable areas in the United States. Located on the southern edge of the City of Portland and extending to the top of Mt. Hood, Clackamas County is part of a thriving region in the Northwest. It has a population of about 420,000 residents.

Explore Clackamas County

Working for Clackamas County

Recreation, Arts & Heritage

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion


ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The Office of County Counsel provides legal advice and representation to the Board of County Commissioners and other County officials, but not to the general public.

It also assists the Clackamas County Housing Authority and service districts operated by the County, such as the North Clackamas Parks and Recreation District and the Clackamas County Development Agency. The Office handles litigation on the County's behalf, including claims for personal injury and property damage, land use appeals, personnel grievances and other matters.

Learn more about Clackamas County County Counsel


APPLICATION PROCESS

Clackamas County only accepts online applications. As part of the application process, please submit a cover letter addressing how you meet the minimum qualifications and any of the preferred qualifications.

Help With Your Application:

Application Process

Help with the Application

If you have any questions or issues you may contact the Department of Human Resources at 503-655-8459 or e-mail us. Our office hours are Monday - Thursday 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time (closed on Fridays).

HOW TO CLAIM VETERAN'S PREFERENCE

Request Veterans' Preference

Learn more about the County's Veterans' Preference

VISA SPONSORSHIP

Clackamas County does not offer visa sponsorships. Once a job applicant has accepted a position, they will be required to complete an I-9 and confirm authorization to work in the United States prior to their first day.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Clackamas County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the Department of Human Resources prior to the recruitment close date. You may request an accommodation during the online application process.


RECRUITING QUESTIONS?

Jared Haddock, Recruiter
JHaddock@clackamas.us



To apply, visit https://hrapp.clackamas.us/psc/recruit/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&Action=U&JobOpeningId=106938&PostingSeq=1&SiteId=1&languageCd=ENG&FOCUS=Applicant



jeid-bc7892af8cd9654197cd08d8f82a6151