What are the responsibilities and job description for the Legal Operations Manager and Public Records Officer position at Oregon Tech?
Position Summary
Department Summary
About the Office and the Opportunity
The Office of University General Counsel is a small, collaborative office that works across Oregon Tech — Oregon’s polytechnic university — to help advance the university’s mission with sound judgment, practical problem-solving, and integrity. The office advises the Board of Trustees, university leadership, and campus colleagues on a broad range of matters involving governance, employment, contracts, public records, compliance, policy development, litigation, and institutional initiatives.
The Legal Operations Manager and Public Records Officer will play an important role in that work. This position combines advanced paralegal support with responsibility for legal operations and administration of university public records requests. The successful candidate will help coordinate legal matters, conduct research and fact-finding, support litigation and governance processes, improve workflows, and work with colleagues throughout the university to ensure that legal and compliance matters are handled thoughtfully, consistently, and efficiently.
This is an engaging opportunity for an experienced legal or compliance professional who enjoys varied and meaningful work, exercises good judgment, and values collaboration and public service. Because the office is small and its responsibilities are broad, the position offers substantial involvement in issues affecting nearly every part of the university.
The Office of University General Counsel is a small, collaborative office that works across Oregon Tech — Oregon’s polytechnic university — to help advance the university’s mission with sound judgment, practical problem-solving, and integrity. The office advises the Board of Trustees, university leadership, and campus colleagues on a broad range of matters involving governance, employment, contracts, public records, compliance, policy development, litigation, and institutional initiatives.
The Legal Operations Manager and Public Records Officer will play an important role in that work. This position combines advanced paralegal support with responsibility for legal operations and administration of university public records requests. The successful candidate will help coordinate legal matters, conduct research and fact-finding, support litigation and governance processes, improve workflows, and work with colleagues throughout the university to ensure that legal and compliance matters are handled thoughtfully, consistently, and efficiently.
This is an engaging opportunity for an experienced legal or compliance professional who enjoys varied and meaningful work, exercises good judgment, and values collaboration and public service. Because the office is small and its responsibilities are broad, the position offers substantial involvement in issues affecting nearly every part of the university.
Position Summary
This position serves as the Legal Operations Manager and Public Records Officer within the Office of University General Counsel and is responsible for administering defined functional areas of institutional importance, including legal operations coordination, advanced paralegal support and the University’s public records program.
The role performs advanced, non-routine work requiring the exercise of independent judgment and discretion in interpreting legal and regulatory requirements, including Oregon Public Records Law. The position facilitates the effective delivery of legal services by developing and managing operational workflows and coordinating cross-functional institutional activities. It ensures timely and consistent handling of legal matters across the University.
In addition, the position administers the University’s public records function, including oversight of request intake, coordination with custodial units, application of exemptions, and preparation of responses in compliance with applicable law. The role requires a high degree of professionalism, confidentiality, and judgment in managing sensitive and legally protected information.
Minimum Requirements
Additional Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and substantial experience in legal operations, compliance, public administration, or higher education operations; or Paralegal certification with progressively responsible experience. Any combination of relevant education and professional experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year‐for‐year basis.
- Minimum five (5) years of experience in legal support, compliance, or institutional operations involving analysis, coordination, or program administration.
- Demonstrated experience applying legal or regulatory frameworks (e.g., public records law, Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI), privacy regulations, or similar).
- Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment and discretion in handling sensitive and complex matters.
- Experience coordinating cross-functional processes or projects involving multiple departments or stakeholders.
- Ability to assess risk and escalate issues appropriately.
- Experience supporting attorneys, executive leadership, or governing boards.
- Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and high-volume requests with minimal supervision.
- Demonstrated ability to investigate and analyze information and draw conclusions.
- Demonstrated ability to gather and organize legal evidence.
- Demonstrated experience, under attorney supervision, drafting legal documents, such as pleadings, legal responses, affidavits, position statements and briefs.
- Ability to effectively communicate using various communication methods with a wide variety of audiences.
- Strong organizational and project management skills.
- Demonstrated experience with Oregon Public Records Law or similar regulatory frameworks.
- Demonstrated ability to review records for responsiveness and exemptions.
- Demonstrated ability to apply legal judgment in redaction and disclosure decisions.
- Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from various groups and the general public.
- Knowledge of legal contracts, agreements, and settlement procedures and documentation.
- Knowledge of the principles and procedures of legal research.
- Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft 365 applications such as Word, Outlook, Excel, and Access and internet browsers.
- Knowledge of EEO policy.
Preferred Qualifications
- Advanced experience applying Oregon Public Records Law in complex or high-risk contexts, including exemption analysis and public interest balancing.
- Experience designing or improving operational workflows or compliance processes.
- Experience with public records request systems or case tracking tools.
- Experience working in higher education or similar public or non-profit environment, especially in the context of legal matters.
- Paralegal certification (ABA-approved)
- Notary Public License.
Benefits:
Pension Plan, Health InsuranceSalary : $84,900 - $92,000