County Counsel - Benton County, OR
About The Position
Are you a strategic, solutions -oriented legal professional who can provide legal advice across a wide range of municipal topics and guide a growing legal team? If so, apply to be Benton County’s next County Counsel! We’re looking for an exceptional, collaborative legal leader who is: Experienced in municipal, public entity, and administrative law Skilled in labor, employment, contracts, and land -use advisement A strong communicator who builds trust across departments Perfectly placed in the Willamette Valley—90 miles south of Portland and 40 miles north of Eugene—Benton County, Oregon offers the perfect balance of small -town warmth and world -class amenities. Home to Oregon State University, Corvallis serves as the county seat and anchors a thriving economy rooted in higher education, health care, agriculture, and technology. Benton County operates under a home -rule form of government with a three -member Board of Commissioners elected at large. The Board appoints the County Counsel as well as the County Administrator who oversees County Operations. The Office of County Counsel provides comprehensive legal services to the Board of Commissioners, departments, service districts, advisory boards, and individual employees acting within the scope of their duties. The office manages litigation, advises on policy development, drafts contracts and ordinances, oversees public records and meeting law compliance, and supports countywide risk mitigation. Reporting to the Board of Commissioners, the new County Counsel will provide proactive legal guidance across all County functions; oversee litigation, appeals, and administrative proceedings; draft and review complex contracts, ordinances, and policies; support labor negotiations and employment matters; and lead a growing legal team and strengthen legal service delivery.
Requirements
- Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor degree in law
- Active license to practice law and membership in the Oregon State Bar at the time of appointment and remain in good standing
- Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in a comparable legal environment with at least three (3) years of municipal, local or state government law experience (preference given to municipal or local government law experience)
- Two (2) to three (3) years supervising professional level staff
- Must possess a valid driver’s license and pass criminal background as well as Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) background checks
Responsibilities
- Provide proactive legal guidance across all County functions
- Oversee litigation, appeals, and administrative proceedings
- Draft and review complex contracts, ordinances, and policies
- Support labor negotiations and employment matters
- Lead a growing legal team and strengthen legal service delivery
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
