Assistant County Counsel I/II

We highly encourage anyone who meets either set of minimum qualifications to apply to fill our current positions and any future vacancies. Both positions are part of the Assistant County Counsel series meaning we can underfill the Assistant County Counsel II position at the Assistant County Counsel I level.
About the Office of County Counsel
Washington County Counsel’s Office represents the County in civil litigation at local, state and federal levels, in administrative and enforcement proceedings, and provides legal advice and analysis to County departments. We deliver quality legal services, while adhering to the highest ethical standards. Our office represents the Board of County Commissioners, the Sheriff’s Office and all County departments and employees. We also represent the Washington County Housing Authority, Fair Board, Enhanced Sheriff’s Patrol District, Urban Road Maintenance District, Service District for Lighting, and Cooperative Library Services
The Opportunity!
As an Assistant County Counsel I/II, you will provide a full range of legal services to the Department of Housing Services, Housing Authority of Washington County, Office of Community Development and the Office of Emergency Management and other County Departments as assigned.
This position requires representation of the County in many complex legal areas with minimal direction and supervision, the ability to problem solve and use innovative legal skills, and work with clients to provide creative solutions to support their goals. The position requires you to work collaboratively with colleagues and clients. If you have a passion for public service and desire an opportunity to help your community grow and excel with your legal expertise and knowledge, we encourage you to apply.
Our Ideal Candidate:
The ideal candidate has three (3) to five (5) years of legal experience including the ability to provide legal advice and guidance on federal, state and local laws and regulations affecting housing authorities and emergency management; draft, review and negotiate contracts, leases and other legal documents, including documents related to property transactions and related to housing development and homeless services; interpret and ensure compliance with Federal, State and local regulations impacting housing services including US Department of Housing and Urban Development; represent the County and County departments in legal proceedings including coordination of tort claims and grievances; develop and assist in implementation of policy affecting public housing, assisted housing programs and emergency management. This candidate will have strong interpersonal skills and communicate effectively with clients, colleagues and support staff. Stellar legal work, a strong work ethic, and team-oriented approach, as well as intellectual curiosity is desired. The ideal candidate has high standards of professional competence and integrity. The candidate has experience interpreting laws, rulings, and regulations for government agencies, large corporations or other government-adjacent organizations. In addition, this candidate will work well both in a team environment and independently.

**A resume and a writing sample from a brief or legal memo of no more than ten pages is required for this position; applications without the resume and writing sample will not be considered. **

General Counsel Duties Include:

1. Provides legal services to a variety of County departments providing legal advice and counsel.
2. Represents County departments in land use and code enforcement matters.
3. Provides legal advice and assistance for major County departments and/or Service Districts.
4. Attends meetings of Boards and Commissions to give legal advice and counsel.
5. Reviews and approves contracts.

Housing Specific Duties include:

1. Serves as the Department of Housing Services (“Department”) and the Housing Authority of Washington County’s (“Housing Authority”) legal counsel and advisor on all legal matters relating to the Housing Authority’s operations, programs, and activities. This includes, but is not limited to, the Housing Authority’s Public Housing and Section 8 programs, real estate acquisition, disposition and redevelopment activities, asset management, litigation management, contracting and public entity law and governance.
2. Provides legal opinions, legal interpretations, and recommendations to the Department’s and the Housing Authority’s executive staff, senior management, the Board of Directors relating to Housing Authority operations, and the Board of County Commissioners related to Department operations.
3. Reviews and approves staff report and proposed resolutions to the County Commission and the Housing Authority’s Board of Directors.
4. Assumes responsibility for general corporate governance, including but not limited to maintaining, updating, and ensuring compliance with corporate formation documents and other related filings for the Housing Authority and its affiliated agencies; and providing counsel at Board of Commissioner or Board of Directors meetings.
5. Assumes responsibility for ensuring that the programs and activities of the Department and the Housing Authority are conducted in compliance with applicable laws, statutes, codes, and regulations.
6. Provides legal support on a broad variety of real estate and financing transactions.
7. Participates in the development of Department and Housing Authority policies, procedures, and related business documents. Advises the County Board of Commissioners, Housing Authority of Washington County Board of Directors, executive staff, and senior management on legal matters related to governance and the policies, programs, and projects of the Department of Housing Services and the Housing Authority.
8. Develops a clearly understood framework for legal policies and practices within the Department and the Housing Authority.

This position is classified as Assistant County Counsel II or Assistant County Counsel I. Classification descriptions are typically written broadly.

To review the full information of the Assistant County Counsel II position, please use the following link here.

To review the full information of the Assistant County Counsel I position, please use the following link here.

Assistant County Counsel II:

• Bachelor’s degree (BS or BA) AND
• Juris doctor (JD) from an accredited college or university.

AND

• Five (5) years of demonstrated experience as general counsel or similar role

Assistant County Counsel I:

• Bachelor’s degree (BS or BA) AND
• Juris Doctor (JD) graduate from an accredited college or university

AND

• Three (3) years of professional-level legal experience.

Additional Qualifications for Litigation positions:

• Membership in the Oregon State Bar Association within 30 days of hire.
• Must pass a background investigation.

Please be clear and specific in the applicable sections of the employment Application about how your background is relevant. This information must also be consistent with your supplemental question responses. Please note: Answers to the supplemental questions are typically evaluated separately from your application.

Next Steps

1. Apply today! Complete and submit an online application to include a resume and a writing sample from a brief or legal memo. Your application will be used to screen for minimum qualifications (MQs) and to determine starting pay in accordance with the provision of the Oregon Equal Pay Act. This positions closing date may be extended at any time.
2. MQ Review: HR will screen applications for MQs after the posting closes.
3. Panel Interview(s): Our goal is to schedule panel interviews with candidates who successfully pass the SME Review as soon as possible.
4. Conditional Offer of Appointment: Human Resources will conduct a salary analysis for the successful candidate(s) and extend an offer of appointment.
5. Post-Offer Check: The successful candidate must pass a background check and licensure check.
6. Start Date: A start date will be determined after all conditions of employment have been met.

Our Commitment to You
We are committed to using a merit-based system in which recruiting, selecting, and advancing employees is based on their relative knowledge, skills, and abilities. Our organization embraces innovation, collaboration and work-life harmony. We offer job stability, a comprehensive benefits package, and an opportunity to serve and support our diverse community. We are an equal opportunity employer.
Veterans’ Preference
If you are a Veteran and would like to be considered for a Veterans’ preference for this recruitment, please review instructions using this link: Veterans’ Preference Points.

Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act – Reasonable accommodation is available to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in the selection process for this recruitment. To obtain confidential assistance please contact Human Resources 503-846-8606, or e-mail: Careers@washingtoncountyor.gov at least 48 hours before any step in the recruitment and selection process for which you feel you need accommodation.

Status of Your Application- You will be advised by e-mail of your status at each step in the application process, from initial application to final employment disposition. If you “opt out” or “unsubscribe” from email notifications from NEOGOV it will impact our ability to communicate with you about this and other recruitments.

Additional Resources:

• New to GovernmentJobs.com? Visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/home/applicationguide for a comprehensive, step-by-step guide on the application process.
• For technical support, contact Government Job’s Live Application Support at 855-524-5627.

Questions (??’s) Regarding This Recruitment: Laura Aranda, Talent Acquisition Business Partner Email: Laura_Aranda@washingtoncountyor.gov