Counsel II (Labor/Employment)

Portland General Electric•Portland, OR

57d•Hybrid

About The Position

At PGE, our work involves dreaming about, planning for, and realizing a smarter, cleaner, more enduring Oregon neighborhood. Its core to our DNA and we haven't stopped since we started in 1888. We energize lives, strengthen communities and drive advancements in energy that promote social, economic and environmental progress. We're always on the lookout for people passionate about leading and being a part of teams that are advancing innovative clean energy solutions that are also affordable and accessible to all. The Counsel II role is a key strategic partner to our Human Resources and business leaders, providing expert legal guidance on a wide range of employment and labor issues. This role demands a pragmatic, business-oriented attorney with a deep understanding of federal, state, and labor laws, capable of managing litigation, conducting investigations, training, and developing compliance strategies within the unique context of the energy industry, which includes unionized field employees subject to health and safety regulations (e.g., OR-OSHA). The best candidates for this role are people who enjoy variety in their work and are strong team players with the ability to work through ambiguity to achieve business objectives. They are also able to work independently and demonstrate sound risk assessment capabilities in a fast-paced environment.

Requirements

Requires a Juris Doctor degree.
Typically, eight or more years of experience in employment and labor.
Admitted to the Oregon State Bar or be willing and able to become a member of the Oregon State Bar.
Prior experience in government, in-house or at a law firm in any of the following areas: litigation, investigations, employment, or labor.
Working knowledge of applicable laws, regulations and legal practice in multiple practice areas.
Basic skills for identifying risk, problem solving and strategic thinking in nonroutine operations and ambiguous situations.
Basic skills in distilling complex legal concepts and issues in a manner to make them understandable to nonlegal specialists up and down the corporate reporting chain.
Basic skills in understanding and supporting the technical needs of a regulated utility and advocacy on behalf of the Company to advance its position or interests.
Advanced skills in legal research and writing to analyze, summarize, and draft legal documents.
Basic analytical thinking skills.
Basic decision-making skills.
Basic presentation/facilitation skills.
Basic project management skills.
Basic enterprise/business awareness skills.
Ability to lead positive change.
Ability to engage employees.
Ability to achieve results.
Ability to build capability.
Ability to design work.
Ability to uphold values.
Consulting skills.
Decision-making skills
Enterprise/business awareness skills.
Negotiation skills.
Organization and prioritization skills.
Resource management skills.
Ability to adhere to set response times, deadlines and time-sensitive tasks
Ability to follow accuracy standards
Ability to follow through on decision-making tasks
Ability to interact effectively and collaboratively within a team environment
Ability to communicate and problem solve when under stress
Ability to respond and adapt to frequent change
Ability to accept and demonstrate self-awareness when provided constructive feedback
Ability to discern feedback and acknowledge ownership of areas of improvement
Ability to avoid future mistakes by applying reasonable skills to new but similar work situations or tasks
Ability to successfully collaborate with peers, managers and others within the organization
Demonstrates sound memory
Ability to process new information to be applied consistently to work tasks
Ability to work long hours
Ability to work a variable schedule
Ability to report to work and perform work during periods of severe inclement weather
Ability to consistently meet attendance standards for regular, reliable, predictable, full-time attendance.
Travel - Frequently (at least once a week or more) - in service territory
Computer use (use computer regularly for entire work shift)

Nice To Haves

Litigation and/or experience in labor arbitrations are a plus.

Responsibilities

Providing excellent legal advice and counsel to a broad assortment of internal partners on a variety of topics with a particular emphasis on mitigating litigation risks.
Preparing and reviewing legal documents and providing legal analysis, interpretations, and recommendations in compliance with corporate policies and applicable law.
Overseeing and assisting with document collection and discovery matters.
Overseeing and conducting internal investigations.
Representing the company in labor arbitrations and other legal matters.
Educating and training internal partners on legal topics and risk mitigation.
Implementing best practices and procedures that will mitigate the company's risk.
Collaborating with internal and external stakeholders.
Carrying out other appropriate duties and responsibilities as may be assigned.
Legal Services - Legal Practice Provide timely and practical legal advice to the executive team, Human Resources, and other departments on daily labor and employment matters, including hiring, performance management, terminations, leaves of absence (FMLA, ADA), compensation, benefits, and interpretation of the collective bargaining agreement.
Litigation and Dispute Resolution Manage employment-related litigation, including administrative complaints (EEOC, DOL, state agencies) and demand letters. Develop case strategies, conduct discovery and witness preparation, and manage outside counsel to ensure efficient and favorable resolutions. Represent the company in labor arbitrations and before the National Labor Relations Board.
Policy Development and Compliance Draft, review, and implement company-wide policies, procedures, and employee handbooks to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Proactively monitor issuance of executive orders and changes in legislation and translate them into corporate policy.
Workplace Investigations Oversee and advise on complex internal workplace investigations, ensuring fairness, thoroughness, and legal compliance.
Outside Services Consulting with Senior Managing General Counsel regarding when to engage outside counsel or other outside services; establishing statements of work and objectives; overseeing selection of appropriate external resources; negotiating rates; overseeing performance to established statements of work and monitoring completion.
Risk Mitigation Supporting risk mitigation for areas of engagement, ensuring risks are identified and internal partners have information on potential risk mitigation strategies.