General Summary

Legal Counsel is a senior-level role responsible for overseeing the organization's legal affairs, regulatory compliance, and risk management functions. This position plays a strategic role in minimizing legal exposure, maintaining ethical standards, ensuring regulatory compliance, and proactively identifying and mitigating operational and strategic risks.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

• Provide accurate, timely legal advice to executives, managers, and departments on a wide range of issues including, but not limited to, contracts, employment law, regulatory compliance, and operational matters.
• Oversee and direct staff in the drafting, reviewing, and negotiation of contracts, agreements, MOUs, and other legal documents.
• Assess legal risks associated with business decisions and develop strategies to mitigate them.
• Support executive leadership in managing legal risk and making strategic decisions.
• Represent the organization in negotiations, settlements, or mediations; coordinate with external counsel as appropriate.
• Stay current with laws, regulations, and court decisions affecting the organization and advise leadership accordingly.
• Develop, implement, and monitor the organization's compliance program to ensure adherence to all applicable laws and regulations.
• Conduct risk assessments and audits to evaluate compliance with internal policies and external regulations.
• Develop and deliver compliance training and communication across departments.
• Lead investigations into compliance breaches or complaints and recommend appropriate corrective actions.
• Report on compliance matters to the executive team and/or board of directors, including through written reports and presentations.
• Direct staff who act as the point of contact for regulatory agencies and manage regulatory filings and audits.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• This position is responsible for full managerial responsibility including providing direction to other supervisors/managers regarding the supervision of their staff. Supervisory span will include direct and indirect reports and may cover multiple departments.

Fiscal Responsibility

• This position develops, manages, and reconciles department budget as well as adheres to procurement policies, procedures, and contract compliance.

Minimum Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

Any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job. Education and course work can substitute for years of experience. Typical qualifications would be:

Experience:

• Currently licensed in the State of Oregon or will apply to be licensed in the State of Oregon
• Minimum of 5 years of legal experience, with at least 3 years of experience working in or with government entities (e.g., municipal, state, or federal agencies) or in-house counsel experience.
• A minimum of 3 years of supervisory experience.

Preferred:

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA).
• Federal Transit Administration (FTA) experience

Competencies for Successful Performance of Job Duties

Knowledge of:

• Knowledge of law and practices, specifically in the State of Oregon, as well as, Federal law.
• Legal practices related to public administration, regulatory compliance, procurement, public policy, or legislative affairs.
• Laws and regulations governing public sector operations, including administrative law, open government laws (e.g., FOIA/Sunshine Laws), ethics, and government contracting.
• Strong negotiation, communication, and conflict-resolution skills.

Ability to:

• Manage complex situations and resolve conflicts effectively.
• Navigate complex governmental structures and provide strategic legal guidance to public officials and agencies.
• Provide excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Possess a high level of integrity, professionalism, and discretion.
• Utilize logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Work strategically and collaboratively across multiple departments.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Manage complex legal and compliance matters simultaneously.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

• May work in a normal office environment and/or remote office as approved. Will sometimes be required to work and/or attend meetings or events in public and at all LTD locations.
• Will be required to work and/or attend meetings or events in public and at all LTD locations.
• Typical work hours are Monday through Friday 8am until 5pm, however, occasional abnormal hours are expected for public meetings and hearings.

Travel

• Travel within the metropolitan area is required.
• Occasional travel outside of the region may be required.

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

• May work in a normal office environment and/or remote office as approved.
• This position is generally sedentary. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time and walking and standing are required only occasionally.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Human Collaboration & Job Impact

• Communications and discussions result in decisions regarding policy development and implementation. Interaction with others outside the organization requires exercising participative management skills that support team efforts and quality processes. The impact the job has on LTD is significant in terms of time, money, or public/employee relations.

EEO Statement

• LTD is an equal opportunity employer.