What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Attorney General (Business Activities Section) position at Department of Justice?
Initial Posting Date:
03/26/2025
Application Deadline:
04/28/2025
Agency:
Department of Justice
Salary Range:
$8,842 - $17,168
Position Type:
Employee
Position Title:
Assistant Attorney General (Business Activities Section)
Job Description:
General Counsel Division, Business Activities Section
The Oregon Department of Justice (DOJ) is seeking applicants for an attorney position in the Business Activities Section of the General Counsel Division.
The Business Activities Section and Position
BAS attorneys enjoy a diverse and stimulating practice, working closely with over 50 regulatory boards, commissions, and agencies to support their missions of public protection. Our clients include most health professional licensing and regulatory boards, numerous non-health professional licensing and regulatory boards, all of the divisions of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, the Bureau of Labor and Industries, and others.
BAS seeks an experienced lawyer, with a strong interest in public service, as well as excellent research, writing, litigation, and client service skills to join a collaborative, skilled, and experienced team of attorneys. The successful applicant will likely be assigned to serve Oregonians as the primary contact counsel for some of the section’s professional licensing and regulatory boards, which could include the Construction Contractors Board, Landscape Contractors Board, Board of Tax Practitioners, Oregon Mortuary and Cemetery Board, and Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology.
During your representation of assigned client boards or agencies you will conduct research and provide advice on complex state and federal legal questions related to each agency’s regulatory area and governmental authority, handle all of your clients’ contested case litigation, and advise your clients regarding their critical daily business activities.
In this challenging and rewarding position, you will likely:
- Represent clients in contested cases against licensees who have allegedly engaged in serious misconduct or against individuals who have allegedly engaged in unlicensed practice or misrepresented themselves as being licensed practitioners;
- Handle contested cases as the primary attorney responsible for all parts of the hearing process, including discovery, motion practice, protective orders, preparation of exhibits and witnesses, representation at hearing, and any other hearing related legal work;
- Prior to a contested case, you will advise and assist clients with the regulatory investigation process, including assistance with preparation and issuance of subpoenas, training, strategy, conducting interviews, and other investigation related tasks;
- Provide legal advice related to administrative rulemaking and rulemaking procedures under Oregon’s APA, including helping craft rules, drafting of rulemaking documents, and assisting with advisory committees and the rulemaking process;
- Advise clients on statutory and rulemaking authority and interpretation, and assist clients with proposed legislative amendments; you will also act as a legislative bill reviewer for DOJ;
- Confer with and assist colleagues in DOJ Trial, Civil Enforcement, and Appellate Divisions with client related matters pending in state and federal court and on appeal;
- Advise and assist clients with Oregon Public Records Law and Public Meetings Law, including assisting with responding to public records requests and conducting public meetings; and
- During open public meetings, advise gubernatorially appointed boards consisting of some of the state’s most respected members of the profession regulated by that board, and assist the board in making legal and policy decisions that impact Oregonians.
The General Counsel Division
Attorneys in the General Counsel Division of DOJ provide legal advice and other legal services to Oregon’s state agencies, officials, boards, commissions. Collectively our clients are responsible for the administration and operations of state government. These responsibilities include: protecting consumers, patients, students, and workers; regulating design and construction; building roads and bridges; protecting Oregon’s lands and waters; operating correctional facilities and caring for Oregon’s prison population; operating programs to provide critical services to vulnerable citizens; and performing other critical government functions. General Counsel Division attorneys analyze and advise on critical questions of constitutional and statutory interpretation, participate in public meetings, and try complex administrative cases.
Office Location/Remote Work: This position is Salem-based. However, Section attorneys generally work remotely, subject to personal preference, DOJ policies, and client or operational needs.
Professional Development: DOJ supports the professional development of its attorneys. We provide frequent in-house, Oregon State Bar accredited, continuing legal education seminars conducted by DOJ colleagues on topics within their practices and expertise. In addition, DOJ occasionally hosts seminars conducted by outside organizations, including the National Association of Attorneys General. Finally, DOJ attorneys receive membership in a national organization offering accredited, high quality continuing legal education seminars across a variety of subject matter areas.
Questions regarding this position should be directed to Kyle J. Martin, Attorney-in-Charge, Business Activities Section, at (503) 947-4520.
Required
- 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.
- Five years of legal experience that includes three years of litigation experience that involved contested case hearings or trial work or an equivalent combination of education and experience enabling the applicant to perform the job responsibilities.
- Exceptional writing skills and a superior analytical and presentation ability.
- 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.
- Willingness to travel within Oregon as needed.
Desired
- Knowledge and experience with Oregon professional licensing boards; in particular, Construction Contractors Board, Landscape Contractors Board, Board of Tax Practitioners, Oregon Mortuary and Cemetery Board, and Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology.
- Knowledge and experience with the professions and occupations regulated by the above referenced boards.
- Knowledge of administrative law and experience litigating complex contested cases under the Oregon Administrative Procedures Act (APA); in particular, before the Oregon Office of Administrative Hearings.
- Knowledge and experience with Oregon Public Records and Public Meetings Laws.
- Knowledge and experience with APA rulemaking laws and process.
- Excellent in-person and virtual communication and training skills.
- Self-directed ability to prioritize and handle a diverse number of pending matters among multiple competing clients with varied size and cultures.
You may still be considered if you do not have the desired experience, however, you must demonstrate a genuine interest in developing the skills in the above-mentioned areas. 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 $8,842.00 - $17,168.00 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 application materials. Drag and drop both resume, cover letter, and any other materials into Workday when prompted to upload your resume. If you are concerned that one or more 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
doj.recruitment@doj.oregon.gov
. 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.
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.
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 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
1162 Court St NE
Salem OR, 97301
DOJ.recruitment@doj.oregon.gov
Phone: (503) 947-4328
Salary : $8,842 - $17,168
