Department: School of Law
Appointment Type and Duration: Funding Contingent (Faculty, Research OAs), Ongoing
Salary: $65,000 – $76,000 per year
Compensation Band: OS-OA07-Fiscal Year 2023-2024
FTE: 1.0
Application Review Begins
October 9, 2023; position open until filled
Special Instructions to Applicants
Applicants must include a cover letter, resume, and a minimum of three professional references.
Department Summary
The Oregon Law Commission (Commission), created in 1997, is the neutral, nonpartisan law reform body for the State of Oregon, and is charged with conducting a “continuing program of law reform.” Its general goals are to clarify, simplify, and organize Oregon law in a manner that decreases litigation and costs while also increasing efficiency and creating better consistency in legal outcomes across the state. Its specific charge and organization are outlined by statute.
The Commission assists the Legislature, executive agencies, and the judiciary to keep Oregon law up to date by recommending proposed law reform measures, administrative rules, written policy analysis, etc. The Commissions’ Program Committee, with assistance from the Director, identifies appropriate law reform projects via proposals submitted by private Oregon citizens, attorneys, Bar sections, legislators, agencies, and the academic community. The Program Committee makes project recommendations to the full Commission, which ultimately decides the Commission’s projects and legislative agenda. A Commission Work Group is usually formed to fulfill accepted project goals. Work Groups are comprised of many of Oregon’s legal experts in the relevant subject matter. Work Group membership is diverse and represents a broad spectrum of stakeholders. The Director takes the lead in shepherding proposed pieces of legislation and their associated Legislative Reports (legislative history) through the legislative process.
The Oregon Law Commission has been housed within the University of Oregon School of Law since 2017. The University of Oregon School of Law is a dynamic, ABA-accredited law school and Oregon’s only public law school. Degrees offered include Juris Doctor (JD), Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Conflict and Dispute Resolution (CRES), and a minor in undergraduate legal studies. Oregon Law’s mission is to provide a world-class education. We prepare students through excellent classroom teaching paired with a multitude of practical experience opportunities and robust professional development. Our aim is to learn, teach, and practice the principles of equity and justice as critical foundations for our overall effort to achieve excellence as a top-ranked law school. Success in this work requires a diverse group of people in various faculty and staff roles working in one of our two locations, Eugene and Portland. The University of Oregon is located within the traditional homelands of the Southern Kalapuya. Learn more about Oregon Law at law.uoregon.edu, and consider joining our team.
Position Summary
The work of the Director involves performing a wide variety of duties, including the following: direct support to the Commission; managing the Commission’s research and legislative plans; teaching/mentoring students; and working independently to advocate on behalf of the Commission. This position requires superior interpersonal and communication skills. The Director must be able to relate to legislators, judges, agency representatives, attorneys, faculty, legislative staff, the public, and students. This position requires a grasp of the overall objectives of the Commission, creativity in developing strategies to reach those objectives, and superior organizational skills in working with others to achieve the Commission’s strategic objectives. The Director must possess strong legal analysis skills, as well as strong written and verbal communication skills. The Director must be able to create and maintain a highly functional neutral/nonpartisan environment and vigilantly protect the Commission from potential political influences.
This is a 1.0 FTE funding contingent position. Continuation of the position is subject to funding by the Oregon Legislative Assembly each Biennium and continues in two-year increments as funding allows. This position currently reports to the University of Oregon School of Law’s Associate Dean of Faculty Research and Programs and works closely with the Chair, Work Group leaders, the Office of the Legislative Counsel, the legislative committees, as well as key faculty and senior staff within the law school and the University.
The Director will be required to travel independently and regularly to both Salem and Portland, Oregon, and must be able to work occasional nights and/or weekends to fulfill special projects and events. The Director must be committed to always promoting and supporting a diverse and inclusive work environment.
Minimum Requirements
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education or equivalent combination of higher education and relevant experience.
• Three years of experience working in relevant administrative roles which required supervising employees, interns, or students.
• Two years of experience working closely with a state, local, or federal legislative body.
Professional Competencies
• Ability to 1) work effectively with students, staff, and faculty from culturally diverse backgrounds and with multiple intersectional identities; and 2) advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the university community.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and collegiality; ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Confident public speaker; excels at leading discussions, educational sessions, and high-level meetings with public officials.
• Excellent organizational, planning, and project management skills.
• Ability to exercise discretion and maintains confidentiality regarding sensitive issues.
• Ability to work independently as well as establish effective working relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders.
• Ability to exercise excellent judgment and make good decisions independently and in a timely manner, even when information is limited.
• Collaborative problem-solving skills with the ability to develop consensus and move groups to a decision point to meet program goals and deadlines.
• Strong computer skills, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
• Juris Doctorate from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Member of the Oregon State Bar.
• Five years of legislative experience.
• Five years of experience working in a relevant administrative role, including supervising employees, interns, or students.
• Experience training and teaching legal material (CLE’s).
• Experience working with systems and processes in a large, complex organization.
FLSA Exempt: Yes
All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background inquiry.
The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visit http://hr.uoregon.edu/careers/about-benefits .
The University of Oregon is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the ADA. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply, and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process, please contact us at uocareers@uoregon.edu or 541-346-5112.
UO prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by UO policy. Questions may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, Office of Civil Rights Compliance, or to the Office for Civil Rights. Contact information, related policies, and complaint procedures are listed on the statement of non-discrimination .
In compliance with federal law, the University of Oregon prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and services. The Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://clery.uoregon.edu/annual-campus-security-and-fire-safety-report .
Advertised: September 15, 2023 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: