Assistant Attorney General (Health and Human Services Section)
About The Position
The Oregon Department of Justice (DOJ) is seeking applicants for an Assistant Attorney General position in the Health and Human Services Section (HHS) of the General Counsel Division. This role involves assisting the section’s client agencies, primarily the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), which are two of the largest state agencies in Oregon. These agencies manage complex regulatory schemes related to Medicaid, public health, services for vulnerable citizens, public assistance programs, and emergency preparedness. Attorneys in the section also advise other entities such as the Home Care Commission, Department of Business and Consumer Services, Department of Education, Psychiatric Security Review Board, Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission, and Oregon Department of Agriculture. The HHS section focuses on public benefit programs, public health, protected health information, forensic psychiatric care, elder abuse, regulatory compliance, and regulated programs like marijuana and psilocybin. Selected candidates will conduct legal research and provide advice on state and federal legal questions including constitutional law, agency authority, licensing, rulemaking, public meetings, public records, benefit programs, confidentiality, disability law, and transactional work. Litigation in administrative cases involving licensing, regulatory compliance, benefit eligibility, or behavioral health matters may also be required. Attorneys are expected to be solution-oriented, provide clear and concise legal advice, and bring creative legal approaches.
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.
- 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.
- Experience in administrative law and administrative hearings.
- Ability to focus on the needs of the client and ask the right questions in order to better meet the needs of the client.
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.
- Draft and review administrative rules.
- Review and advise on new or proposed legislation.
- Participate in policy discussions with the agency to understand its legal needs.
- Provide written legal advice in short and long form upon request.
- Serve client agencies by conducting legal research and providing advice.
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.
- Membership in Practicing Law Institute, a national organization offering accredited, high quality continuing legal education seminars across a variety of subject matter areas.
- PERS participating members will have their base salary increased by 6.95% and pay a 6% employee contribution to PERS.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
No Education Listed
