Legal Policy Advisor (Civil Law Legal Policy Advisor)

State of Oregon • Portland, OR

17h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Oregon Judicial Department is hiring a Civil Law Legal Policy Advisor for the Court Programs Division within the Office of the State Court Administrator. The position serves as a court programs legal expert in civil law, including general civil cases, contracts, torts, small claims, and forcible entry and detainer cases, and acts as the primary analyst for civil-law policy and support. The advisor supports OJD committees, works with committee chairs, and collaborates with the Court Programs Division Director and Civil Programs Manager. The role advises and consults with the State Court Administrator, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, judges, Trial Court Administrators, OJD staff, government agencies, the Oregon State Bar, the public, and other stakeholders. It also provides technical assistance to circuit courts, develops and delivers staff training, and supplies civil-law updates and resources.

As part of OJD’s legislative team, the advisor provides legislative support and analysis; reviews proposed legislation for effects on courts; analyzes laws, rules, policies, and business processes; drafts and reviews fiscal impact statements; may serve on legislative work groups and task forces; and helps implement new legislation. Assigned tasks may change in response to workload and organizational needs.

This is a full-time, limited-duration employee position currently funded through June 30, 2027, with anticipated funding beyond that date subject to availability. The position may be based mostly in Salem or Portland, Oregon, and is eligible for hybrid work with Administrative Authority approval. The regular schedule is 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Some early morning, evening, weekend, and holiday work may be required, particularly during legislative sessions. Overnight travel is required occasionally for meetings, events, conferences, and visits to local courts. In-person meetings and training or office events are required even when remote work has been scheduled.

The position involves managing multiple projects with competing requirements, priorities, and deadlines; frequent contact with people from diverse backgrounds; frequent long periods of sitting or standing; and occasional lifting of equipment weighing up to 10 pounds. The employee must be comfortable using current technology and office software for work, research, and communications. Regular equipment includes a telephone, OJD-assigned computer with multiple monitors and software, copy machine, fax machine, and scanner.

Applicants must submit a cover letter of no more than two pages that addresses all requested skills and attributes, along with an updated resume or completed work-history section. The cover letter and resume filenames must include the applicant’s name. The cover letter must be addressed “To the Hiring Manager.”

Requirements

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
• At least four years of legal and legal research experience, in addition to experience supporting the duties, knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the position.
• Current membership in good standing in the Oregon State Bar.
• Experience practicing civil law, preferably in Oregon.
• Knowledge of case law, Oregon Revised Statutes, and Oregon Administrative Rules.
• Experience accomplishing work through collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience analyzing existing or proposed policies, procedures, or legislation and developing recommendations.
• Skill identifying problems in business processes or other consequences of changes to legal systems, and experience implementing responsive solutions.
• Experience and skill preparing thorough and comprehensive written reports.
• Ability to work with current technology and office software for work, research, and communications.
• Ability to travel overnight occasionally for meetings, events, conferences, and visits to local courts.
• Ability to attend required in-person meetings, training sessions, and office events.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary analyst for civil-law policy and support, covering matters such as general civil cases, contracts, torts, small claims, and forcible entry and detainer cases.
• Staff and support OJD committees and work with committee chairs to advance committee and OJD goals.
• Advise and consult with OJD leadership, judges, court administrators, staff, government agencies, the Oregon State Bar, the public, and other stakeholders.
• Provide technical assistance to circuit courts on civil-law cases.
• Develop and deliver staff training and provide updates and resources related to civil-law matters.
• Provide legislative support and analysis as a member of OJD’s legislative team.
• Review proposed legislation for impacts on the courts.
• Analyze current laws, rules, policies, and business processes.
• Draft and review fiscal impact statements.
• Participate in legislative work groups and task forces as assigned.
• Help implement new legislation.
• Manage multiple projects with competing requirements, priorities, and deadlines.

Benefits

• OJD pays 95% to 99% of medical insurance premiums for full-time employees, including mental health coverage.
• 10 paid holidays, 2 floating holidays, and 3 personal business days.
• Separate sick and vacation paid leaves; leave is prorated for part-time employees.
• Optional insurances and flexible spending plans.
• A 5% allowance for bilingual skills, including ASL, when the employee passes a skills test and is assigned to use those skills on the job.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness-eligible employer.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree