Assistant Attorney General (Health and Human Services Section)

State of Oregon • Portland, OR

18h • Hybrid

About 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). 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. 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.

Requirements

• 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.

Nice To Haves

• 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.
• Experience in administrative law and administrative hearings.

Responsibilities

• Conduct legal research and provide 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.
• Litigate administrative cases involving licensing applications or violations, other regulatory compliance, benefit eligibility, or behavioral health matters.
• Represent the state in administrative hearings and other work as assigned by management.
• Participate in policy discussions with the agency to understand its legal needs.
• Provide written legal advice in short and long form upon request.
• Draft and review administrative rules.
• Review and advise on new or proposed legislation.

Benefits

• Opportunities and benefits often not available in the private sector.
• Healthy work-life balance.
• Frequent in-house, Oregon State Bar accredited, continuing legal education seminars conducted by DOJ colleagues on topics within their practices and expertise.
• Occasional seminars conducted by outside organizations, including the National Association of Attorneys General.
• 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.
• Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) participating members will have their base salary increased by 6.95% and pay a 6% employee contribution to PERS.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed