Closing Date: 29th April, 2024
Description:
The Oregon Department of Justice (DOJ) is seeking applicants for Assistant Attorney General positions in the Health and Human Services Section of the General Counsel Division.The Position: The Health and Human Services Section is currently seeking one or more lawyers with a strong interest in public service and looking for challenging and meaningful work to assist the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) achieve its goal to eliminate health inequities by 2030. OHA is one of the largest agencies in Oregon state government, with responsibility for the state's Medicaid program, public health and behavioral health systems, and the State Hospital. OHA's work impacts virtually all the critical health issues covered by our local and national news, such as addressing the state's Fentanyl crises, ensuring quality and affordable health care for all Oregonians, working to increase access to substance use disorder treatment and behavioral health services, and protecting the public health of Oregonians.
Attorneys providing OHA's needed legal services must be solution oriented, able to give cutting edge legal advice and bring creative legal approaches and fresh thinking to each new project, all consistent with DOJ policies and legal positions. Specifically, we are looking for one or more excellent attorneys to advise OHA's Medicaid program and related medical assistance programs, its Health Care Market Oversight Program (HCMO), and OHA's behavioral health programs (described below), and other work as assigned by management.
Medicaid and related medical assistance programs: OHA's Oregon Health Plan provides health coverage for low-income Oregonians through its Coordinated Care Organizations (also known as CCOs) and its fee-for-service program. Through these programs and waivers from the federal government, OHA is finding innovative ways to address the health needs of low-income Oregonians.
HCMO: OHA's HCMO program administers and oversees ORS 415.500 et seq., reviewing proposed business deals to ensure those deals further the state's goals of health equity, lower consumer costs, increased access to care, and better care.
Behavioral Health: OHA's behavioral health programs oversee the counties' mental health programs, certify and license behavioral health facilities and programs, assist the Measure 110 Oversight and Accountability Council in funding drug treatment and recovery services in Oregon, provide incentives to increase and support the behavioral health workforce, work to implement and oversee Oregon's behavioral health crisis system, and more. During the 2024 legislative session, House Bill 4002 established a new certified community behavioral health clinic program within OHA.
The Section: The Health and Human Services Section includes attorneys who are subject matter experts on Medicaid and other federal benefits programs, public health (we were at the center for COVID-19 related work and relief efforts), the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), laws that protect substance use disorder records, forensic psychiatric care issues for both adults and juveniles, as well as cutting edge regulated programs resulting from cannabis and psilocybin services legalization. Some of the attorneys in the section are recognized as national leaders in their fields.
Professional Development: DOJ supports the professional development of its attorneys. We provide frequent in-house, Oregon State Bar accredited, continuing legal education seminars conducted by DOJ colleagues on topics within their practices and expertise. In addition, DOJ occasionally hosts seminars conducted by outside organizations, including the National Association of Attorneys General (of which Oregon Attorney General Rosenblum is the current President). Finally, DOJ attorneys receive the benefit of DOJ's membership in Practicing Law Institute, a national organization offering accredited, high quality continuing legal education seminars across a variety of subject matter areas.
Qualifications: An ideal candidate must have excellent analytical writing and research skills, and the ability to clearly and concisely communicate legal advice to clients. Preferably, a candidate would have experience in a health law related field, including transactional legal work. Also desired is the ability to quickly learn new areas of law and to understand and focus on the needs of the client. In this position, you would participate in policy discussions with the agency to understand its legal needs, provide written legal advice upon request, draft and review contracts, draft and review administrative rules, and monitor new legislation. Work could also include representing the state in administrative hearings and other work as assigned by management. More specifics requirements and desired qualification are below.
Required:
- Active membership (in good standing) in the Oregon State Bar, by the time of appointment.
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and contributing to an inclusive working environment where diverse individual experiences and perspectives are valued and supported.
- Three years of practical legal experience OR an equivalent combination of education and experience enabling the applicant to perform the job responsibilities.
- Demonstrated exceptional research and advice writing, analytical, communication and presentation skills.
- Demonstrated ability to handle a heavy and challenging case and workload.
- Willingness and ability to work collaboratively and productively with colleagues and clients in both a remote and in-person environment.
- Strong work ethic and commitment to public service.
Desired:
- Health law related experience.
- Transactional legal experience.
- Experience advising clients about general government law including public records and public meetings, public contracting law, and administrative law.
- Sophisticated client counseling skills.
You may still be considered if you do not have the desired experience, however, you must demonstrate a genuine interest in developing the skills in the above-mentioned areas. Applicants most closely matching the requirements and needs of the position will be invited to interview. This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies.
