Assistant Attorney General (Labor & Employment Section)

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General Counsel Division, Labor and Employment Section

The Oregon Department of Justice is seeking applicants for an attorney position in the Labor and Employment Section of the General Counsel Division. The Department of Justice promotes diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging among our employees and seeks an applicant with awareness and commitment to these values.  As we advise our clients and engage with one another, these values motivate and guide our interactions.

The State of Oregon is the largest public employer in Oregon, providing the attorneys in the Labor and Employment Section with opportunities to work on varied, interesting, and often cutting-edge legal issues.  This newly added position expands the section’s capacity to accommodate increased demand for legal services.  The successful applicant will join the team of attorneys in the Labor and Employment Section who advise the state in its role as an employer on labor and employment matters.  The Labor and Employment Section attorneys also represent the state in labor arbitrations and before the Oregon Employment Relations Board.  Duties will include:

• Advice on state and federal employment laws including ADA, Pay Equity, Title VII, FMLA/OFLA, Veteran’s preference, and USERRA.

• Advice on labor issues under collective bargaining agreements and the Public Employee Collective Bargaining Act (PECBA).

• Representation at administrative hearings and labor arbitrations involving disciplinary or other personnel actions, Unfair Labor Practice complaints, and contract interpretation issues.

• Advice on and supervision of a broad range of investigations related to the workplace, including discrimination and harassment complaints, whistleblower complaints, and investigations regarding workplace conduct.

• Conducting trainings for clients covering a range of employment law subjects.

Attributes of a successful candidate will include:

• Excellent written and oral advocacy that includes application of equity-based principles.

• 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.

This 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.

Office Location/Remote Work:

This position is Salem-based with opportunities for working remotely on a hybrid schedule.  Section attorneys may live outside Salem and commute for in-office days.

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 labor and employment law experience; or a combination of career and legal experience relevant to the position duties.

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

Applicants are asked to provide details in their cover letter and resume that explain how their education, training, and experience meet the minimum 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 Tessa Sugahara, Attorney-in-Charge, Labor and Employment Section, at 503-931-8048, or Sylvia Cramond, Assistant Attorney-in-Charge, at 971-707-8329.

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.

• Attach a writing sample (not to exceed seven pages) 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.

ALL APPLICANTS: You will have only one opportunity to upload the required material. Please drag and drop all of your material into our applicant program called Workday when prompted to upload your resume. If you are concerned that any of the required documents didn't attach to your application, if you need an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), have questions, or need assistance with the application process, please contact doj.recruitment@doj.oregon.gov. Any materials emailed will be associated on your behalf if received before the posting deadline.

CURRENT STATE EMPLOYEES: Login 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.  The Department 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 the Department 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 ten 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 ten 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;

• 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 benefits 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