Senior Policy and Legal Advisor (OPA 4)

State of Oregon; Salem (OR); Hybrid; USD 84,000 - 124,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Oregon DLCD is seeking a Senior Policy and Legal Advisor (OPA4) to serve as internal legal counsel for statewide policy, programs, and investments in the Director’s Office. The role manages the agency’s legal docket, guides local decision-making, and supports legislative and regulatory processes.

You will engage with regional reps to inform ground-level decisions. The position emphasizes collaboration, training, and timely legal guidance, with a focus on equity and efficient operations

Qualifications

• JD or DR from an accredited law school.
• Completion of JD/DR requirements or equivalent advanced legal education.
• Eight years of experience or equivalent education to support the classification knowledge and skills.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate regional staff and subject-matter specialists to ensure consistent application of statutes, regulations, and agency policies.
• Provide expert legal guidance to agency leadership on complex, high-impact decisions.
• Interpret and apply state and federal laws to support sound, compliant local-level decision-making.
• Review and analyze legal documents, contracts, and agreements for accuracy and risk mitigation.
• Develop and deliver training to staff on legal requirements, policy updates, and best practices.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve disputes and address emerging legal issues.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory changes, advising on potential impacts to agency operations.

Skills

Oregon state law

Leadership

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Dispute resolution

Ethical standards

Attention to detail

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Doctor of Jurisprudence (DR)

Eight years experience or equivalent education

Job description

Initial Posting Date: 09/11/2026

Application Deadline: 09/27/2026

Agency: Land Conservation and Development Department

Salary Range: $7,537 - $11,098

Position Type: Employee

Position Title: Senior Policy and Legal Advisor (OPA 4)

Join the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) as an Senior Policy and Legal Advisor (OPA4) in our Director’s Office. This position is a new position, working in the Director’s office. It will serve as the internal legal advisor of statewide policy, programs, and investments to the Director’s Office and planning programs. The position will support department review of legislative and quasi-judicial issues at the local level. This position will manage the agency’s legal docket and prioritize issues for the Legislative and Policy Manager and Director to review. It will also engage regularly with regional representatives and specialists to monitor and advise decision making on the ground in communities throughout Oregon.

As part of DLCD’s mission, in partnership with community members and local governments, we foster equitable, inclusive, sustainable, and vibrant communities, while protecting our natural resources legacy for current and future generations.

A day in the life. As the new Senior Policy and Legal Advisor you will:

• Coordinate regional staff and subject-matter specialists to ensure consistent application of statutes, regulations, and agency policies.
• Provide expert legal guidance to agency leadership on complex, high-impact decisions.
• Interpret and apply state and federal laws to support sound, compliant local-level decision-making.
• Review and analyze legal documents, contracts, and agreements for accuracy and risk mitigation.
• Develop and deliver training to staff on legal requirements, policy updates, and best practices.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve disputes and address emerging legal issues.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory changes, advising on potential impacts to agency operations.

For a copy of the full position description, please email [e-mail].

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

One of DLCD’s foundational goals is to become a diverse, equitable, and inclusive agency that implements an equitable and inclusive planning program for Oregon. Efforts are supported by the State of Oregon Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Action Plan and an agency Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee and Work Plan.

At DLCD, all employees are expected to recognize value in individual and cultural differences; lead activities in their division to promote and foster a diverse workforce; actively engage in implementing the DEI Work Plan and associated activities including achieving the agency’s affirmative action objectives and goals.

We recognize that to successfully meet our mission and agency values, our commitment to racial equity, diversity, equity, and inclusion must be at the center of our work. DLCD values the lived and professional experiences of individuals from historically and currently underserved and under-resourced communities and honor our Government-to-Government relations responsibilities with Oregon’s federally recognized Native American Tribes. We are committed to building and sustaining an inclusive, belonging, and equitable working environment for all employees. Candidates with diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, language fluencies, lived experiences, and skillsets are encouraged to apply.

What’s in it for you

• Opportunity to collaborate with a team of talented professionals who are passionate about the agency’s mission and priorities.
• Flexible work location, with a mix of remote and in-office work.
• 11 paid holidays per year and additional personal business time off.
• Comprehensive benefit package options.

The Benefits

The State of Oregon offers a competitive and affordable health and benefits package, including excellent medical, vision and dental coverage, paid holidays off, and personal business leave, as well as paid and accrued vacation and sick leave. In addition to standard medical benefits and employee leave, the state also provides additional optional benefits, such as basic life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, and flexible spending accounts for health care and childcare expenses.

After a qualifying period, new employees are enrolled in the Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP). State employees also have access to benefits like deferred compensation plans through the Oregon Savings Growth Plan and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

Join thousands of state employees who came for a job and stayed for a career!

Minimum Qualifications

AJurisDoctor(JD)orDoctorofJurisprudence(DR)degreefromanaccreditedlawschoolisrequired.CandidatesmusthavecompletedallrequirementsfortheJD/DRdegree,includingcorelegalcourseworkandprofessionalqualificationsnecessaryforpractice,ordemonstrateanequivalentadvancedlegaleducation.

OR

Any combination of experience and education equivalent to eight years of experience that typically supports the knowledge and skills for the classification.

We’re Also Looking for

• Deep expertise in Oregon state law with a strong focus on local legal issues, ensuring compliance and effective application of statutes and rules in regional contexts.
• Leadership in coordinating regional staff and specialists, fostering collaboration across departments to address complex legal challenges efficiently.
• Strong analytical and interpretive skills to apply legal principles to evolving local regulations, balancing statutory requirements with practical implementation.
• Excellent communication and negotiation abilities, enabling clear guidance to staff, stakeholders, and external parties while maintaining legal accuracy.
• Proven ability to manage and resolve legal disputes in a state agency environment, ensuring timely and effective outcomes that align with policy and regulatory goals.
• Commitment to ethical standards and legal integrity, upholding the State of Oregon’s mission and reputation in all legal matters.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to track numerous issues.

If you have these qualities, let us know! It’s how we will choose whom to move forward!

Note: You do not need to have all these qualities to be eligible for this position.

Tips for Interested Candidates

A cover letter and resume are required. Your candidate profile, cover letter, and resume are the perfect place to display your interest in the position and highlight the skills and experience you will bring, making you the best candidate for the position. Failure to attach a cover letter and resume may result in a candidate’s disqualification. Submissions are screened for consistency of information and communication skills at the professional level (attention to detail, spelling, grammar, etc.).

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• The salary listed is the non-PERS qualifying salary range. If the successful candidate is a PERS participating member, they will have the base salary increased by 6.95% and pay the 6% employee contribution to PERS. Successful candidates who are not yet a PERS participating member, will receive the 6.95% pay increase and begin the 6% employee contribution upon participating in PERS. DLCD employees are eligible for step increases on an annual basis, up to the top of the classification salary range.
• This announcement is for one, full-time, position. Please review the Classification and Compensation page for more details on the classification, or you may visit our website for information on the job offer process following pay equity. Prior to making a job offer, an internal pay equity assessment will be completed. The successful candidate’s professional experience and education will be compared to the state employee workforce performing work of a comparable character to determine appropriate placement in the salary range. Candidates new to state service typically receive a salary within the first half of the salary range.
• If you have questions about the job announcement, or need an alternate format to apply, please contact Human Resources Analyst, Jan Guerrero at [e-mail].
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. Applicants who require visa sponsorship will not be considered at this time.
• For information on veterans' preference points, visit Veterans Resources

This recruitment may be used to fill other positions within the same classification.