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TriMet provides bus, light rail and commuter rail service in the Portland, Oregon region. Our transportation options connect people with their community, while easing traffic congestion and reducing air pollution — making our region a better place to live.

We are looking for an experienced attorney who is inspired by helping TriMet perform its mission-driven work. The Senior Deputy General Counsel (Governance) role prepares memoranda, resolutions, and ordinances that come before the TriMet Board of Directors, assists on a wide variety of municipal, regulatory, and contractual issues, and negotiates with jurisdictional partners in drafting intergovernmental agreements, memoranda of understanding, and other legal documents. Because this attorney regularly provides legal advice, counsel and services for complicated and sophisticated matters, the successful candidate must possess exemplary writing, legal research, and analytical skills as well as be thorough, careful, and attentive to detail.

This role requires being onsite a minimum of three (3) days per week.

Reliable in-person attendance is an essential function of all positions. TriMet is an in-person first organization, with a strong emphasis on in-person collaboration, customer service, and safe and efficient operations. Some positions may be able to work up to two days remotely depending on department policy, business needs, and manager discretion.

Ensure a commitment to safety and regulatory compliance through effective leadership, training, role modeling and implementing practices that demonstrate safety is a fundamental value and a priority in all aspects of work.

Forbes Magazine recently ranked TriMet as one of the top five places to work in Oregon! TriMet is ranked the number one Oregon-based employer in the state, as well as the top “Transportation and Logistics” employer in the state.

Essential Functions:

1. Applies legal analysis, research and investigation to provide legal counsel and advice; drafts clear, concise, organized and accurate materials, including legal arguments; evaluates cases, claims, or complex contracts for recommendation; prepares administrative agency and/or jurisdictional communications and responses.

2. Ensure compliance with pertinent federal and state law, regulations, rulings, interpretations, and court decisions that may affect the subgroup. Ensure adherence to all applicable procedural rules and deadlines.

3. Increase the effectiveness of the delivery of legal services through preventative action, including proactive involvement, early identification, and resolution of potential issues and disputes.

4. Work closely with executive directors, directors, managers, and other stakeholders in developing strategies to address legal issues related to the subgroup, including updates and developments in the applicable law.

5. Work with outside counsel as applicable on managing specialized matters by acting as the client contact and participant in key decisions with outside counsel.

6. Prepare, review, revise, maintain, and interpret various materials and documentation. May collaborate with local governmental entities on negotiating and drafting intergovernmental agreements and memoranda of understanding.

7. Governance Subgroup: Work closely with the General Counsel and subject matter experts to prepare resolutions, ordinances, and board memoranda for TriMet board meetings. Maintain and update the TriMet Code, TriMet's administrative rules, and various Board and Governance-related documents. Build and maintain positive relationships with internal stakeholders and jurisdictional partners to accomplish Agency goals.

Position Requirements:

• A Juris Doctorate is required.

• Four (4) years of total credited experience.*

• Four (4) years of responsible, significant, relevant and successful experience with a law firm, public agency, or private corporation as legal counsel are required.

• Two (2) years of substantial, direct and effective experience as lead counsel in cases involving tort, employment/labor, or contract law are required.

• Active member in good standing with the Oregon State Bar Association.

• Or any equivalent combination of experience and training.*

The amount of credit a candidate receives for prior years of experience is based on the relevancy of that experience to the required or preferred prerequisites of the job description. Experience is prorated based on hours worked. LRHR assigns and validates the "credited experience".

Selection Criteria

Type of Position / Grade / FLSA
Grade 20, Exempt, Non-Union, Full-Time

Salary Range:
Minimum: $141,996.00
Maximum: $212,993.00

Salary offers will be determined by a candidate’s education, training and relevant experience. Any final offer of employment will fall within the range stated above. For transparency, we choose to list the full available grade range, however, TriMet’s salary administration process will ultimately determine the final salary offered.

Selection Process:
Candidates will be selected based at a minimum on the result of:

1. Application Review (please include: Cover Letter and Resume)

2. Panel Interviews

3. Reference Check