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General Counsel Division, Health and Human Services Section

The (DOJ) is seeking applicants for an Assistant Attorney General position in the Health and Human Services Section (HHS) of the General Counsel Division.

The Position:  The Health and Human Services Section is currently seeking a lawyer with a strong interest in public service and looking for challenging and meaningful work to assist the section’s client agencies, primarily the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS).

HHS Clients:  OHA and ODHS are two of the largest state agencies in Oregon state government and have complex and engaging federal and state regulatory schemes.  OHA is responsible for administering Oregon’s Medicaid program providing medical assistance to Oregonians (including through managed care by Coordinated Care Organizations), the Oregon Prescription Drug Program, addictions and mental health programs, public health programs, health facility licensing, health analytics, and the Oregon State Hospital.  ODHS is responsible for administering programs serving some of Oregon’s most vulnerable citizens including those who are aging, physically disabled, or have an intellectual or developmental disability to ensure people are safe, secure, and living as independently as possible.  ODHS is also responsible for public assistance programs and vocational rehabilitation services for those seeking to better support themselves and their families.  Additionally, ODHS and OHA engage in emergency preparedness and emergency response activities to assist Oregonians during emergencies, including pandemics and natural disasters.

Attorneys in the section also advise the Home Care Commission; the Department of Business and Consumer Services – insurance regulatory programs, Division of Financial Regulation and the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace; the Department of Education, Early Learning Division, Office of Child Care; the Psychiatric Security Review Board; the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission’s cannabis regulation program, and the Oregon Department of Agriculture’s hemp program.

The Section:  HHS includes attorneys who are subject matter experts on public benefit programs including Medicaid, Women, Infants and Children (WIC), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) and others; public health (we were at the center for COVID-19 related work and relief efforts and currently are part of a team of lawyers addressing federal funding cuts impacting a variety of health-related and benefit programs); protected health information; forensic psychiatric care issues for both adults and juveniles, elder abuse and investigations, regulatory compliance as well as vanguard regulated programs such as marijuana and psilocybin use.  Some of the attorneys in the section are recognized as national leaders in their fields.

If selected for one of these challenging positions, you will serve our section’s clients by conducting legal research and providing advice on a broad array of complex state and federal legal questions including:  constitutional law; agency authority; licensing; rulemaking; public meetings and public records; benefit programs; confidentiality; disability law; transactional work including contract review and healthcare business mergers and acquisitions review; and other subjects. In addition to the work described above you may litigate (in front of an administrative law judge) administrative cases involving licensing applications or violations, other regulatory compliance, benefit eligibility, or behavioral health matters. Such cases can include allegations of abuse or neglect of vulnerable adults or children.  Entities that HHS’s client agencies license include long term care facilities, hospitals, behavioral health facilities, adult foster homes, and child care facilities.  

Section attorneys providing legal services must be solution oriented, able to give cutting edge legal advice in both clear and concise oral and written format and bring creative legal approaches and fresh thinking to each new project, all consistent with DOJ policies and legal positions.

Department of Justice:  Working for DOJ, the state’s largest law firm, offers opportunities and benefits often not available in the private sector.  Our work is varied and interesting, and while fast paced, working in the public sector permits attorneys to have a healthy work-life balance. The position is primarily based in Salem with opportunities to work in our Portland office as well as remotely on a hybrid schedule.  Attorneys bill their client agencies for legal services and have a yearly billable expectation.

Professional Development:  DOJ supports the professional development of its attorneys.  We provide frequent in-house, Oregon State Bar accredited, continuing legal education seminars conducted by DOJ colleagues on topics within their practices and expertise.  In addition, DOJ occasionally hosts seminars conducted by outside organizations, including the National Association of Attorneys General.  Finally, DOJ attorneys receive the benefit of DOJ’s membership in Practicing Law Institute, a national organization offering accredited, high quality continuing legal education seminars across a variety of subject matter areas.

Qualifications:  We are primarily interested in an attorney with demonstrated excellent analytical research and writing skills, who can clearly and concisely communicate legal advice to clients, and who can quickly learn new areas of the law given the varied nature of legal issues that arise with our clients.  Preferably, a candidate would also have some experience in administrative law and administrative hearings.  A candidate must demonstrate an ability to focus on the needs of the client and ask the right questions in order to better meet the needs of the client.  In this position, you would participate in policy discussions with the agency to understand its legal needs, and provide written legal advice in short and long form upon request. It is also common for attorneys to draft and review administrative rules, and review and advise on new or proposed legislation.  Work may also include representing the state in administrative hearings and other work as assigned by management.  More specific requirements and desired qualifications are below.

Questions regarding this position should be directed to Jeffrey Wahl, Attorney-in-Charge, Health and Human Services Section, at [redacted].

Required:

• Active membership (in good standing) in the Oregon State Bar, by the time of appointment.

• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and contributing to an inclusive working environment where diverse individual experiences and perspectives are valued and supported.

• Minimum of three (3) years of practical legal experience OR an equivalent combination of education and experience enabling the applicant to perform the job responsibilities.

• Demonstrated exceptional analytical research and advice writing, communication and presentation skills.

• Demonstrated ability to handle a heavy and challenging case and workload.

• Willingness and ability to work collaboratively and productively with colleagues and clients in both a remote and in-person environment.

• Strong work ethic and commitment to public service.

Desired:

• Experience in a general counsel role and advising clients about general government law including public records and public meetings, public contracting law, and administrative law.

• Sophisticated client counseling skills.

You may still be considered if you do not have the desired experience, however, you must demonstrate a genuine interest in developing the skills in the above-mentioned areas.  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.

Application Process

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

• Attach your resume;

• Attach your cover letter (detailing how you meet the job requirements); and

• Attach your writing sample suitable for assessing analytical and writing ability. A writing sample is not needed from attorneys currently working at the Oregon Department of Justice at the time of application. However, a copy may be requested at a later date if needed.

This OAJA-represented position will be filled at either the Assistant Attorney General or Senior Assistant Attorney General level, salary range $9,063.00 - $17,597.00 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.