Job Details

Overview

Portland State University is Oregon's most affordable public research university, located in the heart of one of America's most dynamic cities. Our mission to “let knowledge serve the city” reflects our dedication to turning ideas into action.

Position Summary

The Office of General Counsel (OGC) is seeking an Assistant General Counsel to join our high‑performing, collaborative team. OGC provides legal support across a broad range of academic and administrative service areas, including the President and the Board of Trustees. While OGC attorneys act as generalists, this role will focus primarily on employment, student affairs, and civil‑rights compliance. The position requires a broad legal skill set covering labor and employment, business matters, contract review, litigation, copyright, technology transfer, information technology, real estate, taxation, and constitutional law, among others.

Minimum Qualifications

• A law degree from an accredited law school and a minimum of three years' experience as a practicing attorney.
• Admitted to the Oregon bar, or admitted to another state bar and prepared to seek immediate admission in Oregon.
• Excellent judgment, impeccable analytical, critical thinking, and written and oral communication skills.
• Capacity to foster constructive outcomes in a complex environment involving diverse stakeholders, students, faculty, and staff.
• Superior intellectual capacity, flexibility, and creativity, with the aptitude to be a true “generalist.”
• Ability to work independently and with direction from the General Counsel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Five or more years experience as a practicing attorney.
• Substantial and focused experience providing legal advice to universities, to state or federal agencies, or to other large institutional clients, especially in one or more of the following areas:
  • Employment law and labor relations
  • Higher education legal issues such as student affairs, student conduct, Title IX, FERPA, and the Clery Act
  • State and federal civil rights laws prohibiting discrimination and harassment
• Experience providing legal advice in one or more of the following substantive areas:
  • Contracting and procurement
  • Real estate
  • Intellectual property
  • Immigration
  • Data privacy
  • Federal or state grant funding and compliance
• Familiarity with Oregon public law, including public records, public meetings law, and Oregon government ethics laws.
• Experience reviewing and responding to subpoenas, public records requests, or other document and data requests.
• Relevant experience working for, or closely with, an institution of higher education.

Key Cultural Competencies

• Create an environment that acknowledges, encourages, and celebrates differences.
• Function and communicate effectively and respectfully within varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities, and cultural backgrounds.
• Seek opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings, with a willingness to change for continual improvement.
• Adhere to all PSU policies, including those on prohibited discrimination & harassment and professional standards of conduct.

Work Days/Hours

Monday‑Friday, 40 hours per week; schedule to be determined.

Compensation and Benefits

The starting annual salary for this position will be between $109,956 and $145,716. PSU offers a benefits package that includes 95% premium‑paid health care, a generous retirement plan, vacation benefits, and reduced tuition rates for employees, spouses, or dependents at any Oregon University System school.

Equal Opportunity

Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.