What are the responsibilities and job description for the Deputy General Counsel (Limited Duration) position at City of Portland, OR?
The Position
The City Auditor’s Office is seeking a Deputy General Counsel to provide legal services to the Auditor’s Office. The Deputy General Counsel should be a well-rounded generalist or have significant experience in one or more subject matter areas on which the Auditor’s Office regularly requires legal advice. It is not necessary for candidates to have expertise in all areas where the Deputy General Counsel may be asked to provide legal advice; instead, a successful candidate will have a demonstrated ability to effectively research and quickly learn new areas of the law.
This is a part-time limited duration position for the primary purpose of assisting the Auditor’s Office’s General Counsel as the City prepares for the transition to a new form of government and an historic 2024 election cycle. The duration will be at least one year, with possibility for extending the term to two years; the hours will be 20-26 hours per week.
As the sixth elected official in the City of Portland, the City Auditor is independent of the Mayor, City Council, and City offices and is accountable only to the public. The Auditor’s Office ensures open and accountable government by providing impartial reviews and investigations, access to public information, and services to City government and the public. It employs over 50 people across six divisions. The Auditor’s Office does this primarily through the following functions:
- Audit Services: conducts performance audits of City bureaus, agencies, and programs, and oversees the financial audit of the City. This division also houses the City’s fraud hotline.
- Ombudsman: responds to members of the public to resolve complaints about City services and practices and initiates investigations into systemic problems in the City government.
- Elections: implements the Auditor’s Charter responsibility to supervise City elections, and oversees enforcement of the City’s campaign finance and lobbying regulations.
- Council Clerk: administers City Council business, serves as the central repository for City contracts and Portland Policy Documents, and maintains City Charter and Code.
- Archives & Records Management: operates the City of Portland Archives and Records Center, making City administrative and historical records accessible for research and inspection in accordance with public records laws.
- Operations Management: serves as the City Auditor’s executive office, providing leadership, accountability, and support for all activities of the City Auditor’s Office, including human resources, contracts, and procurements.
- Hearings: conducts impartial administrative hearings and renders decisions in Land Use Hearings, Code Hearings, Appeals of City Decisions, Towing Hearings, and other administrative matters.
Responsibilities of the Deputy General Counsel include:
- Advising on subject matters such as: elections, campaign finance, lobbying/ethics, employment and labor, open meetings and public records laws, contracts and procurement, litigation, constitutional law issues, and general municipal law.
- Assisting the General Counsel with projects related to the transition to a new form of government.
- Assisting in developing legislative concepts and draft language.
- Drafting code and administrative rules.
- Advising on responses to public records.
- Reviewing contracts and preparing contract templates.
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Assisting in policy development.
- A demonstrated ability to quickly learn new areas of the law and an intellectual curiosity to develop subject matter expertise in new areas.
- An interest in holding government accountable to the public.
- Knowledge of relevant federal, state, and municipal statutes, regulations, and ordinances, and the ability to analyze, interpret, explain, and apply them.
- Knowledge of contracts, torts, constitutional law, civil rights, litigation, employment law, civil procedure, elections law, ethics law, campaign finance law, and/or statutes relating to municipalities.
- Ability to draft statutes, City Code, administrative regulations, contracts, and other legal documents.
- Ability to research complex legal questions using digital tools, libraries, professional resources, Oregon Revised Statutes, City Code and Charter, and other legal publications.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and the ability to present information, proposals, and recommendations clearly and persuasively in public settings.
To Qualify
Candidates must have, at a minimum, the following:
- A JD from an accredited law school,
- Membership in good standing in the Oregon State Bar, and
- Three years of increasingly responsible experience in the practice of administrative, civil, and/or criminal law.
Submit two documents:
(1) A resume
List professional and relevant volunteer experience; education and training; and the time periods for each. If you speak more than one language or have specialized skills, please list them.
(2) Responses to Supplemental Questions
Describe how you meet the following qualifications, which are required to be successful in this position. Where possible, connect items in your resume and provide examples to demonstrate how you meet these qualifications. It is advised that you use the numbered list below to ensure that you respond to each item for which you have relevant skills or experience. When uploading this document to your online application, select “other” document.
Question 1: Tell us about your experience researching and quickly learning new areas of the law.
Question 2: Tell us about your experience advising on one or more of these areas of the law: elections, campaign finance, lobbying/ethics, employment and labor, open meetings and public records, contracts and procurement, litigation, constitutional law issues, civil rights, and general municipal law.
Question 3: Describe your ability to communicate clearly and persuasively both orally and in writing, and to prepare memos, briefs, and letters.
Question 4: Describe experiences that would prepare you to be able to draft code, administrative rules and contracts.
Question 5: Tell us about your experience: as a member of a historically underrepresented group participating in government decision-making; ensuring equitable operations or program outcomes; making workplaces and/or public spaces more inclusive; or exposure to racial inequities and actions you took to help resolve them. If your experiences are different from those listed and you have a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, please explain how you will manifest that commitment in this position.
The Recruitment Process
Applicants must submit their resume and responses to supplemental questions through the City of Portland's online application system no later than 11:59 p.m. on the closing date. Emailed, mailed, or faxed applications will not be accepted. Answers to supplemental questions should not exceed a total of five pages. Please do not include materials not requested.
Recruitment Timeline (subject to change)
Application period: April 22, 2024-May 19, 2024
First interviews: Week of June 3, 2024
Second interviews: Week of June 17, 2024
Job offer: Week of June 24, 2024
Additional Information
Salary range/Pay equity: Per the Oregon State Pay Equity Law, individual salaries are determined based on the experience and education listed in a candidate’s resume/application. It is strongly encouraged to include any transferable experience (paid or unpaid regardless of how recent) to ensure an offer is reflective of all directly related and equivalent experience.
Language pay differential: Auditor’s Office employees who speak one or more languages in addition to English, may be eligible to receive additional compensation if they qualify and use their language skills to assist the community.
Employee benefits: The City of Portland is committed to offering medical, dental, vision, basic life, and long-term disability coverage that provides quality care, support and value to eligible employees and their family members. Additional benefits such as flexible spending accounts, supplemental life insurance and employee assistance program coverage are available to ensure employees have the appropriate tools to safeguard themselves and their family. The City of Portland participates in PERS, the Oregon Public Employee Retirement System. Find more information on the City of Portland's benefits here: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bhr/60196
Civil Service: This position is in the Classified Service and subject to Civil Service provisions. It also is subject to the Human Resources Administrative Rules for the Auditor’s Office, City Charter, and Code.
Work status: Non-citizen applicants must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of application.
Work location: The Auditor’s Office is currently operating in a hybrid schedule, with employees working at least 50% of their time in-person. Given the unique nature of this position, it may be possible for candidates outside of the Portland metro area to work primarily remotely, with onboarding taking place at City Hall, 1221 SW 4th Ave. The Deputy General Counsel, however, must perform all work from within the states of Oregon or Washington.
Veteran’s preference: If you are requesting Veteran's Preference, attach a copy of your DD214 and/or Veteran's Administration letter stating your disability to your profile (if applicable), as well as checking the box identifying yourself as a Veteran. You must request Veteran's Preference AND include a copy of your documentation for each recruitment you apply for. Veteran's Preference documentation must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM on the closing date of this recruitment.
Equal employment opportunity: It is the policy of the City of Portland that no person shall be discriminated against based on race, religion, color, sex, marital status, family status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or source of income. The City values diversity and encourages everyone who is interested in employment with the City to apply.
Disability, Pregnancy, and Religious Accommodations: If you identify as a person with a disability, are pregnant or nursing, or observe a religious practice(s) and would like to request a reasonable accommodation when applying for this job, contact Administrative Specialist Arianna Gazca at Arianna.Gazca@portlandoregon.gov.
Technical assistance: If you have questions about how to apply or require any assistance in submitting your application, please contact Administrative Specialist Arianna Gazca at Arianna.Gazca@portlandoregon.gov.
For more information about the Auditor’s Office: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/auditor/
