Job Description

The Oregon Legislative Assembly is the state’s legislature. Its primary functions are to enact laws, make decisions that keep the state in good economic and environmental condition, and provide a forum for discussion of public issues. The Legislative Assembly is composed of two chambers: the Senate, whose 30 members are elected to serve four-year terms, and the House of Representatives, with 60 members elected to two-year terms. Each chamber elects presiding officers, the president of the Senate and the speaker of the House, to oversee daily sessions and operations of the legislature.

Oregon’s Legislative Assembly is a citizen legislature, meaning the elected members serve part-time and their service is typically not their primary occupation. The legislature convenes annually in January at the State Capitol in Salem, but sessions may not exceed 160 days in odd-numbered years and 35 days in even-numbered years. Seven agencies—Legislative Administration, ?Legislative Commission on Indian Services, Legislative Equity Office, ?Legislative Fiscal Office, Office of the Legislative Counsel, ?Legislative Policy and Research Office, and Legislative Revenue Office—support the work of the Legislative Branch and are staffed by state employees.

Reporting to the Legislative Joint Committee on Conduct, the legislative equity officer provides broad-based professional support, compliance, response, and training in the areas of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation within the legislative branch and its affiliated parties. Key responsibilities include receiving and responding to complaints of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation; overseeing investigations; developing and presenting training curricula and programs; maintaining data and information related to complaints and confidential disclosures; and supporting the Joint Committee on Conduct and chamber conduct committees. This position is responsible for all aspects of the Legislative Equity Office and will supervise professional assistants and other employees necessary to manage the office, including oversight of independent contracted investigators, legal support, and training consultants.

In directing the administration of the Legislative Equity Office, the person in this position will evaluate the quality of services provided by the office, manage the distribution of available resources to meet changing program needs, and coordinate office activities with other agencies or divisions in areas of mutual concern to ensure compliance with established policies, objectives, program priorities, and applicable laws, rules, and regulations.

The Oregon State Legislature seeks a proven leader with the expertise and fortitude to champion workplace equity and guide efforts to build a diverse, inclusive, and ethical environment free from all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.

Bachelor’s degree and 10 years of related professional experience required. Preferred qualifications include an advanced degree (master’s or law degree), a career progression that has prepared the candidate for a position of this scope and complexity, and knowledge of workplace investigation best practices, process counseling, and trauma-informed care. The ideal candidate will present evidence of strategic agility, business acumen, unimpeachable integrity, excellent writing and public speaking skills, and the ability to engage multiple stakeholders and effect positive change in a challenging and polarized political environment. An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to demonstrate ability to perform the duties of the position may be considered.

Review of applications will begin February 3, 2023, and will continue until the position is filled. A resume with an accompanying cover letter may be submitted via the Spelman Johnson website at www.spelmanjohnson.com/open-positions. Nominations for this position may be emailed to Jim Norfleet at jmn@spelmanjohnson.com or Ellen Heffernan at eth@spelmanjohnson.com. Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at 413-529-2895 or email info@spelmanjohnson.com.

Visit the Oregon State Legislature’s website at www.oregonlegislature.gov.

The Oregon State Legislature is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to workforce diversity.

*Please mention you saw this ad on AcademicJobs.*

Apply Now