Assistant Attorney General (Infrastructure and Transportation Section)

Initial Posting Date:

11/25/2024

Application Deadline:

12/24/2024

Agency:

Department of Justice

Salary Range:

$8,298 - $16,113

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Assistant Attorney General (Infrastructure and Transportation Section)

Job Description:

General Counsel Division, Infrastructure and Transportation Section

The Oregon Department of Justice (DOJ) seeks one or more attorneys to join the Infrastructure and Transportation Section (INS) of the General Counsel Division.  This position will provide general counsel advice and legal services to state agencies, with a focus on transactional support and advice.  DOJ promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging among our employees and seeks an applicant with awareness and commitment to these values. 

The Infrastructure and Transportation Section

INS supports the state’s most critical built infrastructure and transportation services.  For example, INS attorneys advise on the Rose Quarter Improvement Project, Interstate Bridge, tolling, and the use of community workforce agreements.

INS attorneys represent the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and other transportation agencies, providing advice and legal services, supporting administration, operation, and maintenance of the state’s transportation services and infrastructure.  INS attorneys routinely advise ODOT regarding:  its legal authorities; environmental compliance (e.g. National Environmental Protection Act, Clean Water Act, solid and hazardous waste programs, etc.); land use and other issues in planning and permitting; land interest acquisition; maintenance jurisdiction and operation responsibilities for the transportation system; and procurement and contracting to support project development over the lifecycle of the project.

Additionally, INS attorneys provide specialized advice and transactional support to all state agencies involved in design and construction projects, including project planning, procurement, contract development, and contract review.  INS attorneys also provide legal services supporting the state’s efforts to increase equity and accessibility throughout state government.  Our work requires our attorneys to develop a deep understanding of Oregon’s public contracting code and infrastructure needs. 

Position Description:

The successful applicant will have combined practice, providing transactional advice, oral and written advice to agencies regarding their programs and authorities.  Therefore, this recruitment seeks candidates willing and able to work collaboratively with other attorney and client representatives, interested and proficient in procurement, contracting, and advising clients, and driven to provide strategic, quality legal services to state agencies.

Duties of this position may include:

• Advising on agency authority and state law, including funding and program rules;

• Advising on public records and meetings laws;

• Reviewing and drafting agreements;

• Assisting in developing legislation and administrative rules;

• Reviewing, drafting and developing procurement and bid documents;

• Reviewing, drafting and developing design and construction contracts;

• Assisting agencies with conventional design-bid-build transactions, as well as advanced and alternative construction delivery methods; 

• Working cooperatively with other attorneys within INS and across the General Counsel Division to ensure correct and coordinated legal services; and

• Other legal duties as assigned.

Attributes of a successful candidate will include:

• Excellent writer;

• Excellent communicator, including ability to efficiently and successfully explain complex legal concepts to clients;

• Thrives when handling a full workload;

• Accountability for work product and time management skills;

• A growth mind-set and openness to receiving constructive feedback;

• Ability to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with colleagues and clients;

• A commitment to public service; and

• A recognition of the DOJ’s unique role as the single legal representative for the state of Oregon, and the importance of coordinated and consistent representation between AAGs across projects and agencies.

Office Location/Remote Work:

This position is Salem-based with opportunities for working remotely on a hybrid schedule. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Law degree from a fully accredited law school and an active member in good standing with the Oregon State Bar by the time of appointment;

• At least five years of either legal experience or a combination of career and legal experience relevant to the position duties; and

• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and belonging where individual experiences and perspectives are valued and supported.

Preferred Qualifications:

• At least three years’ transactional experience or at least three years’ experience working on procurement and contracting matters;

• Excellent contract drafting skills and familiarity with Oregon’s public contracting code and administrative rules;

• Experience providing legal services to a governmental entity in Oregon;

• A working knowledge of the National Environmental Protection Act;

• A working knowledge of Oregon’s land use laws;

• Experience working with the Federal Highways Administration or the Oregon Department of Transportation; and

• Experience analyzing, applying, and drafting state or local statutes, ordinances, policies, and rules.

Applicants are asked to provide details in their cover letter and resume that explain how their education, training, and experience meet the minimum qualifications.  You may still be considered if you do not have all or some of the “Preferred Qualifications.”  Applicants most closely matching the requirements and needs of the position will be invited to interview.  This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies.

Questions regarding this position may be directed to Andrea Goodwin, Attorney-in-Charge, Infrastructure and Transportation Section, at 971-218-1657 or andrea.goodwin@doj.oregon.gov.

Application Process

• Follow the "Apply" link above.  Current State of Oregon applicants are asked to use their state-issued login to access and apply in Workday.  Using an external account disrupts the hiring process.

• Attach your resume.

• Attach your cover letter.

• Attach your writing sample.

This OAJA-represented position will be filled at either the Assistant Attorney General or Senior Assistant Attorney General level, salary range $8,298.00 - $16,113.00 per month, depending primarily on years of legal practice experience and other factors. Employees who are Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) participating members will have their base salary increased by 6.95% and pay a 6% employee contribution to PERS; the salary range noted reflects base salary only.  For a partial list of our benefits, you can learn here.

ALL APPLICANTS: You will only have one opportunity to upload the required resume, cover letter, and any other required documents.  Drag and drop all into Workday when prompted to upload your resume.  If you are concerned that any of your documents may not have attached to your application, please email a copy to doj.recruitment@doj.oregon.gov.  Material will be associated on your behalf if received before the posting deadline.

CURRENT STATE EMPLOYEES: Log in to Workday using your state-issued login and apply via the Jobs Hub Worklet located on your home page.  Using a private account disrupts the hiring process for all internal candidates.  Prior to clicking "Apply," update your employee profile to reflect your Education, Skills, and Job History (including your current job).

Working for the Department of Justice

Assistant Attorneys General, on behalf of the Attorney General, represent the State of Oregon and state-elected and appointed officials, agencies, boards and commissions in most civil and many criminal proceedings.  DOJ offers a broad range of opportunities for attorneys to work on significant and complex issues that face our state and make a difference to the citizens of Oregon while providing unparalleled career satisfaction and professional prospects.

Conduct Expectations 

The role of the Oregon Department of Justice is to provide justice and uphold the rule of law.  Employees of DOJ are required to meet the highest standards of professional conduct and ethics while on the job, and also to maintain those same high standards when taking actions in their personal lives that could reflect on the Department.

The Department of Justice

The Mission of the Oregon Department of Justice is to serve state government and to support safe and healthy communities throughout Oregon by providing essential justice services.  Its over 1,400 employees in nine divisions, including more than 300 lawyers, are dedicated to the rule of law and serving the people of Oregon and its government. 

The Attorney General and our nine divisions are dedicated to:

• Providing ethical, independent and high-quality legal services to state government;

• Safeguarding consumers from fraud and unfair business practices;

• Fighting crime and helping crime victims; 

• Advocating for vulnerable children;

• Supporting families through the collection of child support;  

• Enforcing environmental protections; 

• Defending the civil rights of all Oregonians; and

• Pursuing justice and upholding the rule of law.  

Diversity is a core value of the Department of Justice and the Department’s General Counsel Division.  We are working to build and maintain a diverse, inclusive and equitable work environment.  Every employee expands our diversity through varied experiences and perspectives, and by contributing to the range of ways to understand and communicate with one another, identify challenges, and work cooperatively.

Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.  The Department of Justice is an equal opportunity employer, does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, veteran, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age or disability, and is committed to workplace diversity.

For additional information regarding working for the Department of Justice and application assistance, click HERE.

Oregon Department of Justice
1162 Court St NE
Salem OR, 97301
DOJ.recruitment@doj.oregon.gov

Phone: (503) 947-4328
Fax: (503) 373-0367

Apply