Assistant Legal Counsel

Marion County requires on-site work. Remote work is not available.

Marion Countys Office of Legal Counsel values a strong culture that encourages excellence service teamwork initiative and creativity. County legal work and litigation covers a wide variety of legal topics including public safety torts employment civil rights property taxes land use quality of life and pushing back on state/federal regulatory overreach.

Marion County serves over 350000 residents and includes 20 incorporated cities 37 unincorporated communities and nearly 1200 square miles as Oregons leading agricultural producer. Marion County has 17 departments over 1600 employees and a fiscal year 2025-26 total budget around $743 million. Legal Counsel attorneys serve as the exclusive civil lawyers and counselors for Marion County in a wide range of areasincluding board of commissioners sheriff district attorney clerk assessor treasurer justice court health & human services public works contracts litigation land use parks economic development housing authority utilities waste services community services human resources finance etc.

The Office of Legal Counsel supports Marion Countys work to further its strategic plan goals:

1. Public Safety: Pursue a safe and secure community by protecting people property and the economy of Marion County.
2. Transportation Infrastructure and Emergency Management: Provide leadership that addresses the continual growth and increasing diversity of Marion Countys population and focuses resources on best meeting the needs of residents and supporting business.
3. Health & Community Services: Promote the overall health of people in Marion County by improving the delivery of quality health services and supporting community-based prevention efforts.
4. Economic and Community Development: Support employers businesses and property owners that promotes economic development and high standards of livability in Marion County.

1. Civil and Government Services: Provide efficient effective and responsive government through stewardship and accountability.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES
Act as legal counsel to Marion County departments and provides support in the area of litigation and counsel to county departments.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Work under the close supervision of the Marion County Counsel who determines goals assigns work and reviews work for effectiveness and conformance to policy through reports observation and conferences.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED
Supervision of other employees is not a responsibility of positions in this classification.

Assistant Legal Counsel acts as legal counsel to Marion County departments and undertakes civil litigation and counsel to county departments. One hundred percent of this positions time is devoted to being a lawyer and legal counselor. The job functions may include the following:

• Prepare and conduct trial court litigation e.g. tort claims lien foreclosure defending county actions challenging state/federal actions. Represent Marion County before various administrative tribunals in mediations and arbitrations.
• Provide legal advice to department managers the Board of Commissioners and county employees. This includes telephone conferences electronic mail office visits meetings on-site visits written opinions seminars and training sessions.
• Undertake research and draft legal documents such as memoranda legal opinions complaints answers options interrogatories orders pretrial orders settlement releases jury instructions contracts deeds Board of Commissioners orders and resolutions and others.
• Prepare and present ordinance enforcement cases respond to and/or object to public records requests and subpoenas.
• Court appearances witness preparation legal research viewing the scene of the incident and dealing with opposing counsel and parties by telephone electronic mail letter and conference.
• Provide legal advice and representation to the Board of Commissioners elected officials department heads supervisors and employees of county government on all issues relating to county operations.
• Provide advice to County departments; respond to inquiries of other government bodies and private citizens regarding County regulations complaints and cooperative efforts.
• Cross train in various areas of law to provide legal advice and representation to entities served by this office as necessary.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

1. Graduation from an accredited school of law; AND
2. Must be a member in good standing of the Oregon State Bar prior to the time of appointment OR possess the character and qualifications to be eligible for admission to the Oregon State Bar through reciprocity/comity or out-of-state bar examination score.

• Must possess a current drivers license in the applicants state of residence and an acceptable driving history. Marion County will obtain a copy of the driving record for all qualified applicants from Driver and Motor Vehicle Services and review the driving record according to the Marion County policy and procedure for Driving on County Business. The policy can be found at: finalist for this position will be required to pass a criminal history background check; however conviction of a crime may not necessarily disqualify an individual for this position.
• This is a full-time position which is not eligible for overtime.
• This assignment is not represented by a union.
• Typical work schedule: Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. with flexibility depending upon the needs of the department and program.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Good knowledge of legal terminology; State and Federal civil practice and procedures; local government and administrative practices; courtroom procedures. Ability to analyze facts evidence and precedents to arrive at logical conclusions; set forth facts legal argument and opinions in concise written form; effectively communicate in both oral and written form; appear effectively before a trial court or administrative body; establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public courts co-workers and other agencies. Skill in drafting legal documents; operating a computer to input retrieve and access information.

PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS
Marion County is a qualifying public employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program full-time employees working at the County may qualify for forgiveness of the remaining balance on Direct Student Loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan. Questions about your student loan eligibility should be directed to your loan servicer or the US Department of Education.

VISA SPONSORSHIP
Marion County does not offer VISA sponsorship. Within three days of hireyou will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Securitys I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. Marion County is an E-Verify employer and will use E-Verify to confirm that hires are authorized to work in the United States.

VETERANS PREFERENCE
Applicants are eligible to use Veterans Preference when applying with Marion County in accordance with ORS 408.225 408.230 and 408.235 and OAR and . Preference will be awarded only if the applicant meets the minimum requirements of the position and attaches the required documentation at the time of application.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR VETERANS PREFERENCE

• One of the following:
  • MEMBER COPY 4 of the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214 or 215); OR
  • Letter from the US Department of Veterans Affairs indicating receipt of a non-service connected pension; OR
  • Certification that discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions will take place not later than 120 days after the submission of the certificate.

• In addition to one of the above documents Disabled Veterans must also submit one of the following:
  • A copy of their Veterans disability preference letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs; OR
  • Certification that medical separation from active duty under honorable conditions will take place not later than 120 days after the submission of the certificate.

You can request copies of your military service record through the National Archives website at County is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Veteran and Disability employer committed to increasing the diversity of its workforce.

Applicants with a disability may request reasonable accommodation through Human Resources in any step of the process to assist them in demonstrating their qualifications to perform the duties of the position for which they are applying. Please e-mailHuman Resourcesif you wish to request an accommodation.