What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant General Counsel position at Career Center at Portland State University?
Position Announcement
Position Details
Proposed Start Date 06/16/2026 Classification Title Legal and Compliance Rank N - No Rank Working Title Assistant General Counsel Department 100401 - POF University Legal Services Position Number D93694 Representation UU - Unclassified Unrepresented Renewable Renewable End date, if applicable Position FTE 1.0 Tenure Status F - Fixed Term
Position Summary
Brief Description of PSU/School/Dept
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 — in Portland and around the world. The city is our campus, giving students unmatched access to career connections, a vibrant cultural scene and hands-on learning experiences with hundreds of community partners.
More than 20,000 students from all backgrounds bring diverse perspectives to our classrooms and campus life, from the tree-lined Park Blocks to the bustling Urban Plaza and state-of-the-art science labs. We are proud of our world-class faculty, groundbreaking research and international reputation for excellence in sustainability, community engagement and innovation.
Position Summary
The Office of General Counsel (OGC) is seeking an Assistant General Counsel to join our high-performing and collaborative team. OGC provides legal support to a broad range of academic and administrative service areas and to university leadership, including the President and the Board of Trustees. OGC attorneys are expected to function as generalists and support all practice areas as needed. However, this position will focus primarily on the areas of employment, student affairs, and civil rights compliance.
The attorneys of the Office of General Counsel work in a variety of practice areas, including labor and employment, business matters, contract review, litigation, copyright, technology transfer, information technology, property acquisitions and other real estate matters, student and faculty issues, tax, and constitutional law.
The University is a complex and diverse institution, and it generates a wide range of legal issues. Some of these are common to all large institutions; others (such as shared governance with faculty, freedom of speech, faculty tenure, academic freedom, sponsored research, student rights, campus safety, the ADA as it applies to students, and Title IX) are unique to the environment of a public academic institution.
Minimum Qualifications
Contributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long-term sustainability goals.
Work Days/Hours Monday-Friday, 40 hours per week, schedule to be determined Total Compensation Range & Benefits Statement
Salary is dependent on several factors, and new employees will typically start around the Q1 level to allow for later growth within the salary band. PSU has a structured process for determining starting compensation, taking into account years of related experience, applicable skills, knowledge and abilities, market parity, and internal equity.
The starting annual salary for this position will be between $109,956 and $145,716.
An excellent benefits package includes 95% premium paid healthcare; a generous retirement and vacation package; and reduced tuition rates for employee, spouse or dependent at any of the Oregon University System schools.
Please visit our total compensation calculator to see the full value of our benefits package.
Application Instructions
Additional Information Additional Application Instructions (deadlines, etc.)
Please list the names, telephone numbers and email addresses for three professional references.
Does this position require the employee to drive a motor vehicle? No Background Check Required Yes Position End Date (if applicable) If you have questions
Please email the Office of General Counsel at OGC@pdx.edu
Search Details
Posting Close Date Projected Close Date for Posting Open Until Finalists Identified Application screening begins 05/04/2026 Quick Link https://jobs.hrc.pdx.edu/postings/49730
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Required Documents
Position Details
Proposed Start Date 06/16/2026 Classification Title Legal and Compliance Rank N - No Rank Working Title Assistant General Counsel Department 100401 - POF University Legal Services Position Number D93694 Representation UU - Unclassified Unrepresented Renewable Renewable End date, if applicable Position FTE 1.0 Tenure Status F - Fixed Term
Position Summary
Brief Description of PSU/School/Dept
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 — in Portland and around the world. The city is our campus, giving students unmatched access to career connections, a vibrant cultural scene and hands-on learning experiences with hundreds of community partners.
More than 20,000 students from all backgrounds bring diverse perspectives to our classrooms and campus life, from the tree-lined Park Blocks to the bustling Urban Plaza and state-of-the-art science labs. We are proud of our world-class faculty, groundbreaking research and international reputation for excellence in sustainability, community engagement and innovation.
Position Summary
The Office of General Counsel (OGC) is seeking an Assistant General Counsel to join our high-performing and collaborative team. OGC provides legal support to a broad range of academic and administrative service areas and to university leadership, including the President and the Board of Trustees. OGC attorneys are expected to function as generalists and support all practice areas as needed. However, this position will focus primarily on the areas of employment, student affairs, and civil rights compliance.
The attorneys of the Office of General Counsel work in a variety of practice areas, including labor and employment, business matters, contract review, litigation, copyright, technology transfer, information technology, property acquisitions and other real estate matters, student and faculty issues, tax, and constitutional law.
The University is a complex and diverse institution, and it generates a wide range of legal issues. Some of these are common to all large institutions; others (such as shared governance with faculty, freedom of speech, faculty tenure, academic freedom, sponsored research, student rights, campus safety, the ADA as it applies to students, and Title IX) are unique to the environment of a public academic institution.
Minimum Qualifications
- A law degree from an accredited law school and have a minimum of three years’ experience as a practicing attorney.
- Admitted to Oregon bar, or admitted to the bar of another state and prepared to seek immediate admission in Oregon.
- Excellent judgment, impeccable analytical, critical thinking, and written and oral communication skills.
- The capacity to foster constructive outcomes in a complex environment involving an array of distinct stakeholders and faculty, staff, and students from diverse backgrounds and with a wide variety of interpersonal communication styles.
- Superior intellectual capacity, flexibility, and creativity, and the aptitude to be a true “generalist.”
- Ability to work independently and with direction from the General Counsel.
- 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; or
- State and federal civil rights laws, which prohibit discrimination and harassment based on race, color, religion, national origin, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic.
- Experience providing legal advice in one or more of the following substantive areas:
- Contracting and procurement;
- Real estate;
- Intellectual property;
- Immigration;
- Data privacy; or
- 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.
- Create an environment that acknowledges, encourages, and celebrates differences.
- Function and communicate effectively and respectfully within the context of 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 of PSU’s policies including the policies on Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and the Professional Standards of Conduct.
Contributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long-term sustainability goals.
Work Days/Hours Monday-Friday, 40 hours per week, schedule to be determined Total Compensation Range & Benefits Statement
Salary is dependent on several factors, and new employees will typically start around the Q1 level to allow for later growth within the salary band. PSU has a structured process for determining starting compensation, taking into account years of related experience, applicable skills, knowledge and abilities, market parity, and internal equity.
The starting annual salary for this position will be between $109,956 and $145,716.
An excellent benefits package includes 95% premium paid healthcare; a generous retirement and vacation package; and reduced tuition rates for employee, spouse or dependent at any of the Oregon University System schools.
Please visit our total compensation calculator to see the full value of our benefits package.
Application Instructions
Additional Information Additional Application Instructions (deadlines, etc.)
Please list the names, telephone numbers and email addresses for three professional references.
Does this position require the employee to drive a motor vehicle? No Background Check Required Yes Position End Date (if applicable) If you have questions
Please email the Office of General Counsel at OGC@pdx.edu
Search Details
Posting Close Date Projected Close Date for Posting Open Until Finalists Identified Application screening begins 05/04/2026 Quick Link https://jobs.hrc.pdx.edu/postings/49730
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
- * How did you first find out about this position?
- PSU Website
- Indeed.com
- HERCJobs
- Urban League of Portland
- Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber
- Oregon Employment Department
- Social Media
- Person Referral
- Career Builder
- Glass Door
- Other - Please describe in the next Question
- If you selected Other, please describe. (Open Ended Question)
Required Documents
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- Professional References