General Counsel

The City Auditor’s Office is hiring a General Counsel to provide legal and policy advice to the City Auditor, Portland’s elected, independent watchdog.

We are looking for a versatile generalist with an interest in legal matters associated with holding municipal government accountable to the public. Successful candidates will demonstrate an ability to grow into the unique role, learn new areas of law, be comfortable engaging powerful interests and their representatives, and effectively communicate advice to a savvy and principled client.

The General Counsel will advise the City Auditor on issues central to the Auditor’s Office’s administrative independence. The General Counsel will also advise on a variety of legal questions that arise from the work of an accountability office that conducts performance audits of City programs and operations, investigates community member complaints and fraud hotline tips, and enforces lobbying and campaign finance regulations. 

The General Counsel also advises on legal risks, public records requests, and employment and procurement matters; interprets Charter and City Code, engages in substantive and tactical discussions with the City Attorney’s Office and outside counsel, and drafts and updates administrative rules related to the Auditor’s Charter and Code authority.

The General Counsel conducts legal and policy research, prepares written opinions and other documents, consults on litigation, tracks legislation, and serves as the Auditor’s legal representative in meetings with City officials and outside parties.

The City of Portland’s elected Auditor is independent from City Council, the Mayor, and the City’s leadership team. The Auditor’s Office exists to serve the public interest and 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 nearly 50 people across seven divisions. The General Counsel reports to and works at the direction of the City Auditor and is a member of the management team.

Successful candidates will have excellent written and oral advocacy skills; expert research and analytical skills; the ability to learn or knowledge of municipal and administrative law; political acumen; and a demonstrated ability to take initiative, work collaboratively, and the skill to find creative solutions to complex legal and policy issues.

Responsibilities of the General Counsel include:

• Provide legal advice and make recommendations to the City Auditor and staff regarding legal and other risks associated with municipal government; keep current with legal developments nationwide; provide divisions with updates and provide recommendations.
• Assisting in pursuit of the Auditor’s Office’s policy objectives in compliance with the law, including developing strategies for promoting and protecting the independence of the Auditor’s Office.
• Preparing or reviewing legally sound City Code provisions, administrative rules, standard operating procedures, and other documents and guidance. 
• Research, investigate, and analyze case facts to determine legal and factual allegations, circumstances, proper parties, legal basis of claims, and formulate strategy and tactics.
• Reviewing documents drafted by the City Auditor, divisions managers, and Auditor’s Office employees and provide feedback.
• Support and coordinate with the City Attorney in litigation on behalf of and against the City in cases that involve the City Auditor.
• Ensure the City Auditor and Auditor’s Office employees comply with legal and ethical requirements and reduce legal and ethical risks to the City; educate and train employees in ethics, legal duties, and constraints on areas of responsibility, mismanagement, conflicts of interest, and prevention and minimization of legal issues.

The Auditor’s Office values a diverse workforce and a culture of equity and inclusion in delivering public services and everyday interactions in the workplace. The Office encourages candidates with experience working with a broad range of individuals and diverse communities to apply. 

Candidates must have at a minimum any combination of education and experience equivalent to the following:

• A minimum of six years’ legal experience;
• A Juris Doctor from an accredited law school; and,
• Membership in good standing in the Oregon State Bar 

TO APPLY:

Submit three 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) Cover letter

In your cover letter you should specifically address and demonstrate how your education, training and experience meets each of the following minimum qualifications:

• Knowledge of federal, state, and municipal statutes, regulations, and ordinances, and the ability to analyze, interpret, explain, and apply them;
• 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 draft City Code, administrative regulations, contracts, and other legal documents;
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and present information, proposals, and recommendations clearly and persuasively in public settings. 
• Ability to work with a multicultural workforce, promote an equitable workplace environment, and apply equitable program practices to diverse and complex government services.

(3) Legal writing sample

Submit a legal writing sample suitable for assessing your analytical and writing ability. This should be no longer than 5 pages, and may be an excerpt that is extracted from an analysis or argument section of a legal memorandum or brief. If you are not the sole author, please explain your role in its drafting. 

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. Your application materials should not exceed a total of five pages. Please do not include materials not requested.

Recruitment Timeline (subject to change)

Application period: April 14 – May 5, 2025

Applications reviewed: May 6 – 9, 2025

First interviews: May 19 – 23, 2025

Second interviews: June 2 – 6, 2025

Job offer: June 13, 2025

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 at-will position is exempt from Civil Service. It serves at the discretion of the City Auditor, subject to Human Resources Administrative Rules for the Auditor’s Office and 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 position is based in City Hall, 1221 SW 4th Ave. The Auditor’s Office is currently operating in a hybrid schedule of in-person and remote work, with employees expected to work half-time in-person.

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/