JOB
This recruitment will remain open until a sufficient number of qualified applications are received. Applications will be reviewed periodically until a decision is made to close the recruitment. The first review will be May 8, 2026. Applicants are encouraged to submit the application as soon as possible as the recruitment may close at any time without further notice.
Marion County’s Office of Legal Counsel values a strong culture that encourages excellence, service, teamwork, initiative, and creativity. . County legal work and litigation covers a wide variety of legal topics, including public safety, torts, employment, civil rights, property taxes, land use, quality of life, and pushing back on state/federal regulatory overreach.
Marion County Legal Counsel is looking for an excellent attorney, preferably with litigation experience or interest. This recruitment may be filled in one of the following ways:
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Senior Assistant Legal Counsel level: seeking an established attorney with significant experience in litigation, plus meeting qualifications below.
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Assistant Legal Counsel level: seeking an attorney (possibly entry-level) with interest in litigation, plus meeting qualifications below.
Marion County will consider candidates meeting the Assistant Legal Counsel or Senior Assistant Legal Counsel classification requirements. The level at which the successful candidate is hired will be determined by the hiring manager.
Marion County serves over 350,000 residents and includes 20 incorporated cities, 37 unincorporated communities, and nearly 1,200 square miles as Oregon’s leading agricultural producer. Marion County has 17 departments, over 1,600 employees, and a fiscal year 2025-26 total budget around $743 million. Legal Counsel attorneys serve as the exclusive civil lawyers and counselors for Marion County in a wide range of areas - including board of commissioners, sheriff, district attorney, clerk, assessor, treasurer, justice court, health & human services, public works, contracts, litigation, land use, parks, economic development, housing authority, utilities, waste services, community services, human resources, finance, etc.
The Office of Legal Counsel supports Marion County’s work to further its strategic plan goals:
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Public Safety: Pursue a safe and secure community by protecting people, property, and the economy of Marion County.
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Transportation, Infrastructure, and Emergency Management: Provide leadership that addresses the continual growth and increasing diversity of Marion County’s population and focuses resources on best meeting the needs of residents and supporting business.
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Health & Community Services: Promote the overall health of people in Marion County by improving the delivery of quality health services and supporting community-based prevention efforts.
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Economic and Community Development: Support employers, businesses, and property owners that promotes economic development and high standards of livability in Marion County.
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Civil and Government Services: Provide efficient, effective, and responsive government through stewardship and accountability.
Salary:
Assistant Legal Counsel: $9,516.00- $12.753.87 Monthly; $114,192.00 - $153,046.40 Annually
Senior Assistant Legal Counsel: $11,022.27 - $14,761.07 Monthly; $132,267.20 - $177,132.80 Annually
Assistant Legal CounselGENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES Act as legal counsel to Marion County departments and provide support in the area of litigation and counsel to county departments.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED Work under the close supervision of the Marion County Counsel, who determines goals, assigns work, and reviews work for effectiveness and conformance to policy through reports, observation, and conferences.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED Supervision of other employees is not a responsibility of positions in this classification.
Senior Assistant Legal CounselGENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES Assists Marion County Legal Counsel in providing legal advice and representation to the Board of Commissioners, elected County officials and County departments.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED Works under the general supervision of the Marion County Legal Counsel, who reviews work for effectiveness and conformance to policy.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED Supervision of other employees is not a responsibility of positions in this class; however, provides lead direction to attorneys, paralegals and other staff assigned to assist with caseload.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
In the Assistant Legal Counsel series, the Senior Assistant Legal Counsel is the advanced, lead level. This class carries a caseload that is complex in nature and of high profile and risk to the County. EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
Assistant Legal Counsel acts as legal counsel to Marion County departments and undertakes civil litigation and counsel to county departments. One hundred percent of this position’s time is devoted to being a lawyer and legal counselor. The job functions may include the following:
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Prepare and conduct trial court litigation, e.g., tort claims, lien foreclosure, defending county actions, challenging state/federal actions. Represent Marion County before various administrative tribunals, in mediations, and arbitrations.
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Provides legal advice to department managers, the Board of Commissioners, and county employees. This includes telephone conferences, electronic mail, office visits, meetings, on-site visits, written opinions, seminars and training sessions.
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Undertakes research and drafts legal documents such as memoranda, legal opinions, complaints, answers, options, interrogatories, orders, pretrial orders, settlement releases, jury instructions, contracts, deeds, Board of Commissioners orders and resolutions, and others.
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Prepare and present ordinance enforcement cases, respond to and/or object to public records requests and subpoenas.
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Court appearances, witness preparation, legal research, viewing the scene of the incident, and dealing with opposing counsel and parties by telephone, electronic mail, letter and conference.
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Provides legal advice and representation to the Board of Commissioners, elected officials, department heads, supervisors and employees of county government on all issues relating to county operations.
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Provides advice to County departments; responds to inquiries of other government bodies and private citizens regarding County regulations, complaints and cooperative efforts.
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Cross train in various areas of law to provide legal advice and representation to entities served by this office as necessary.
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Perform other duties as assigned.
Senior Assistant Legal Counsel job functions may include all of the above Assistant Legal Counsel duties and others but at a higher complexity and risk level, which requires additional skill, initiative, and experience.
