Assistant Attorney General (Tax & Finance, Finance Position)

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General Counsel Division, Tax and Finance Section (Transactional/Finance Assistant Attorney General)

Apply now to join the Oregon Department of Justice as an Assistant Attorney General. The General Counsel Division’s Tax and Finance Section seeks a transactional attorney to work as an integral member of our finance team. As a member of the finance team, you will act as general counsel to one or more of the various state agencies that manage and distribute the state’s finances. This position is Salem-based with opportunities for working remotely on a hybrid schedule.

Our Assistant Attorneys General advise state agencies on a variety of legal matters arising from the distribution of state and federal funds, including state banking, bonds, investment, grants, and borrowing activities. Our work is exceptionally diverse, challenging and rewarding. As an example, we recently completed work for Business Oregon on the Research and Development Tax Credit for Semiconductor Companies, which will bring $250 million into local businesses over the next four years. Our Assistant Attorneys General advise the Oregon Housing and Community Services Department in its growing work helping provide affordable housing to Oregonians in need. During the last legislative session, Oregon Housing and Community Services received approximately $600 million in additional funding to increase affordable housing in the state.

The agreements governing all the state’s grant money passes through the finance team. Our team of expert finance attorneys assist the Oregon Health Authority to distribute grant funds to entities to reach a broad range of needs, from the treatment of mental illness to the distribution of COVID vaccines. We also advise the Oregon Lottery, the Oregon Department of Revenue, the Oregon Department of Education, the Oregon Department of Human Services, the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs, as well as the Oregon Treasury, Oregon’s Public Employees Retirement System, and all of the agencies dealing with the state’s natural resources.

Each Assistant Attorney General may be assigned one or more clients depending on workload, experience, and needs of the department. Our Assistant Attorneys General are expected to develop close client relationships and client specific expertise over time. This role includes work negotiating, drafting, reviewing, and approving complex funding agreements for legal sufficiency. Legal sufficiency review is guided by the Public Contracting Code and regulation. You will draft legal advice to your client agencies analyzing the extent of an agency’s legal authority. You will be responsible for anticipating legal issues and working with agencies to manage risk. Finally, you will guide agencies through the rulemaking process. This is primarily a non-litigation position.

Questions regarding this position may be directed to Kristen Gallino, Attorney-in-Charge, Tax and Finance Section, at [email protected].

Required:

• Active membership and in good standing with the Oregon State Bar by the time of appointment.

• Two (2) years’ experience in transactional practice (including reviewing and providing legal advice on contracts and grant agreements), or a combination of career and legal experience relevant to the position duties.

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with lawyers, non-lawyers, policy makers, clients, and stakeholders.

• Demonstrated ability to work with clients effectively and on tight timelines.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage a busy and ever-changing list of assignments, while keeping managers and clients informed of the status of projects.

• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and contributing to an inclusive working environment where diverse individual experiences and perspectives are valued and supported.

Desired Experience:

• At least three years of transactional practice experience.

• At least three years of experience in finance or working with government-supported grants, loans or tax credit finance programs, or experience with other government financing transactions.

• Familiarity with general government law, public contracting law, and administrative law.

• Experience reviewing and providing legal advice on public contracts and grant agreements and interagency agreements.

• Demonstrated commitment to public service.

Applicants most closely matching the requirements and needs of the position will be invited to interview. This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies.

Application Process

• Follow the "Apply" link above.  Current State of Oregon applicants are asked to use their state-issued log-in to access and apply in Workday.  Using an external account disrupts the hiring process. 

• Attach your resume.

• Attach your cover letter.

• Attach your writing sample.

This OAJA-represented position will be filled at either the Assistant Attorney General or Senior Assistant Attorney General level, salary range $8,298.00 - $16,113.00 per month, depending primarily on years of legal practice experience and other factors. Employees who are Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) participating members will have their base salary increased by 6.95% and pay a 6% employee contribution to PERS; the salary range noted reflects base salary only. For a partial list of our benefits, you can learn here.

ALL APPLICANTS: You will only have one opportunity to upload the required resume, cover letter, and any other required documents. Drag and drop all into Workday when prompted to upload your resume. If you are concerned that one or both requested documents didn't attach to your application, if you need an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), have questions, or need assistance with the application process, please contact [email protected]. Any materials emailed will be associated on your behalf if received before the posting deadline.

CURRENT STATE EMPLOYEES: Login to Workday using your state-issued login and apply via the Jobs Hub Worklet located on your home page. Using a private account disrupts the hiring process for all internal candidates. Prior to clicking "Apply", update your employee profile to reflect your Education, Skills, and Job History (including your current job).

Working for the Department of Justice

Assistant Attorneys General, on behalf of the Attorney General, represent the State of Oregon and state-elected and appointed officials, agencies, boards and commissions in most civil and many criminal proceedings. The Department offers a broad range of opportunities for attorneys to work on significant and complex issues that face our state and make a difference to the citizens of Oregon while providing unparalleled career satisfaction and professional prospects.

Conduct Expectations 

The role of the Oregon Department of Justice is to provide justice and uphold the rule of law. Employees of the Department are required to meet the highest standards of professional conduct and ethics while on the job, and also to maintain those same high standards when taking actions in their personal lives that could reflect on the Department.

The Oregon Department of Justice

The Mission of the Oregon Department of Justice is to serve state government and to support safe and healthy communities throughout Oregon by providing essential justice services. Its over 1,400 employees in ten divisions, including over 300 lawyers, are dedicated to the rule of law and serving the people of Oregon and its government.

The Attorney General and our ten divisions are dedicated to:

• Providing ethical, independent and high quality legal services to state government;

• Safeguarding consumers from fraud and unfair business practices;

• Fighting crime and helping crime victims;

• Advocating for vulnerable children;

• Supporting families through the collection of child support;

• Enforcing environmental protections;

• Defending the civil rights of all Oregonians;

• Pursuing justice and upholding the rule of law.

Diversity is a core value of the Department of Justice and the department’s General Counsel Division.  We are working to build and maintain a diverse, inclusive and equitable work environment. Every employee expands our diversity through varied experiences and perspectives, and by contributing to the range of ways to understand and communicate with one another, identify challenges, and work cooperatively.

Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. The Department of Justice is an equal opportunity employer, does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, veteran, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age or disability, and is committed to workplace diversity.

For additional information regarding working for the Department of Justice and application assistance, click HERE.

Oregon Department of Justice

1162 Court St NE

Salem OR, 97301

[email protected]

Phone: (503) 947-4328

Fax: (503) 373-0367