Oregon AFSCME
A Democratically Run Union and Proud of it!

Staff Attorney

Based in Portland, OR

 

Staff Attorney
Professional
Location: Portland, OR, US
Requisition ID: 1005
Salary Range: $123,816.00 To $142,272.00 Annually

This position may operate out of any of our Oregon offices which include Portland, Salem, Pendleton, Eugene, Bend, Grants Pass and Ontario. Travel to Portland and/or Salem will be required on occasion.

DESCRIPTION
This is a professional level position that is responsible for providing a broad array of technical, strategic, and legal services to affiliated bargaining units, staff, local union officers and union members in the process of carrying out the duties of the union. Incumbents may be headquartered in the Salem office or in field offices located throughout the state.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
This position requires a law degree from an accredited law school and the attorney must be admitted to practice law in Oregon, including both state and federal courts, or the person must have the ability to obtain such admissions within a reasonable amount of time from the date of hire.

This position also requires two years experience with labor and employee relations, either in a professional or volunteer capacity.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES
The following knowledge and skills are required:

• A thorough understanding of public and private sector unionism and labor law.
• A thorough understanding of state, federal and local employment laws, including disability laws, family medical leave laws, wage and hour laws, and anti-discrimination laws.
• Familiarity with the rules of evidence and civil procedure.
• Familiarity with alternative dispute resolutions procedures, particularly in mediation and arbitration settings.
• Knowledge of the structure, functions and personnel policies of local government jurisdictions.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• The ability to exercise initiative, prioritize projects and to function effectively under minimal supervision.
• The ability to organize and manage a large volume of information and to operate an office.
• The ability to gather, analyze and interpret complex data and information from a variety of sources.
• The ability to speak clearly, concisely and persuasively to groups of people.
• The ability to prepare clear and concise written correspondence, reports and briefs.
• The ability to bargain using various methods, including traditional and collaborative, with cooperative and anti-Union employers in the public and private sector.
• Proven ability to work harmoniously with others and to maintain satisfactory relationships with others involved in the collective bargaining process and the public.

Personal Attributes

• Personal Integrity. Demonstrated by honesty and candor in dealing with others, and the ability to develop trust with union members and officers, Council administrative staff, employer representatives, neutrals, elected officials and with political and community organizations.
• Self-Confidence. The ability to project a positive self-image through effective written and oral communication.
• Assertiveness. The ability to forthrightly state the union’s position in a variety of emotionally charged forums.
• Decisiveness. The proven ability to make timely decisions based on sound reason and available data.
• Listening Skills. A responsive listener who can understand, accept and work cooperatively with the union and Staff as well as diverse groups involved in collective bargaining and political advocacy.
• Commitment to Empowerment. A belief in the philosophy of rank and file involvement in the union and the empowerment of individual workers through the collective bargaining process.
• Conflict Management. The ability to deal with a variety of personnel problems, including the ability to resolve conflict to communicate openly and to encourage consensus when appropriate.
• Flexibility. The ability to focus on the overall mission of the union in the face of changing external and internal environments.
• Initiative. The ability to be a self-starter, and to effectively manage and prioritize a heavy workload under general supervision.
• Professionalism. Persons in this position will present themselves in a professional manner and appearance at all times.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The duties of this position include, but are not limited to:

• Carry out the programs of the Council and International in assigned locals and work areas.
• Arbitrations. Attorney is responsible for representing the Council and Local Unions in numerous grievance and interest arbitrations matters. This includes initiating and preparing for hearings, as well as conducting the hearings and filing post-hearing briefs when required.
• ERB/NLRB Cases. Attorney is responsible for representing the Council and Local Unions in proceedings before the Oregon Employment Relations Board and the National Labor Relations Board. This includes unit clarifications, unfair labor practice cases, certification and decertification cases, and defense of unfair labor practice charges filed against the Union.
• Litigation in State and Federal Courts. Attorney may be required to represent the Council, Local Unions and individual members or leaders in all phases of state and federal court litigation.
• Appellate Representation. Attorney may be required to represent the Council, Local Unions or members and officers in the state and federal courts of appeals, including the filing of petitions for review, responding to petitions for review, filing briefs, and making oral arguments before the appropriate court. Attorney may also file amicus briefs in cases that may have significant impact on Union members.
• Administrative Law Proceedings. Attorney may be required to represent individual members and officers in administrative law hearings, including, but not limited to: representation of members before certification boards such as the Department of Public Safety, Standards and Training and the Oregon Board of Nursing, and representing of child care providers in administrative proceedings before the Department of Human Services.
• Legal Advice & Strategy. One of the attorney’s primary roles will be the provision of timely and competent legal advice to supervisors, coworkers and member leaders as required to carry out the goals and programs of the Union. This includes but is not limited to providing advice during organizing campaigns, contract negotiation campaigns, grievance proceedings, unfair labor practice proceedings, and all other phases of contract administration.
• Training and Education. The attorney shall work with the Executive Director and/or Associate Director to ensure that Council staff receive timely and informative training concerning labor and employment laws that are essential to the performance of staff duties. The Attorney will update staff on changes to state and federal labor and employment laws.
• Other Duties. The attorney shall engage in organizing and political activities when appropriate and as directed by supervisors.
• Local Assignment. In addition to the duties as the staff attorney, the attorney may provide direct representation to at least one local union where he/she will be responsible for collective bargaining, contract enforcement and assisting in administration of the local union. The attorney will provide the same type and level of service to their local(s) as is expected of a Council Representative. The attorney may be called on to provide similar services to locals to cover for staff absences or in situations where conflicts arise or where legal expertise is needed.
• Miscellaneous. Other duties related to carrying out the mission and/or the policies of Council 75 as assigned by the Director or Field Services Director.

SUPERVISION
This position reports to and receives direction from the Executive Director and Associate Director .

WORKING CONDITIONS
Occasional travel and evening work may be involved in this position. The nature and duties of this position could require the attorney to be away from his/her family on occasion.

Conventions, conferences, Executive Board meetings, organizing and political activity may require occasional work on weekends.

Apply HERE!