Portland General Electric
Counsel II (Labor/Employment)
Portland General Electric, Portland, Oregon, United States, 97204
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At PGE, our work involves dreaming about, planning for, and realizing a smarter, cleaner, more enduring Oregon neighborhood. Its core to our DNA and we haven’t stopped since we started in 1888. We energize lives, strengthen communities and drive advancements in energy that promote social, economic and environmental progress. We’re always on the lookout for people passionate about leading and being a part of teams that are advancing innovative clean energy solutions that are also affordable and accessible to all.
The Counsel II role is a key strategic partner to our Human Resources and business leaders, providing expert legal guidance on a wide range of employment and labor issues. This role demands a pragmatic, business-oriented attorney with a deep understanding of federal, state, and labor laws, capable of managing litigation, conducting investigations, training, and developing compliance strategies within the unique context of the energy industry, which includes unionized field employees subject to health and safety regulations (e.g., OR-OSHA). The best candidates for this role are people who enjoy variety in their work and are strong team players with the ability to work through ambiguity to achieve business objectives. They are also able to work independently and demonstrate sound risk assessment capabilities in a fast-paced environment.
Key Responsibilities
Providing excellent legal advice and counsel to a broad assortment of internal partners on a variety of topics with a particular emphasis on mitigating litigation risks.
Preparing and reviewing legal documents and providing legal analysis, interpretations, and recommendations in compliance with corporate policies and applicable law.
Overseeing and assisting with document collection and discovery matters.
Overseeing and conducting internal investigations.
Representing the company in labor arbitrations and other legal matters.
Educating and training internal partners on legal topics and risk mitigation.
Implementing best practices and procedures that will mitigate the company’s risk.
Collaborating with internal and external stakeholders.
Carrying out other appropriate duties and responsibilities as may be assigned.
Legal Services – Legal Practice Provide timely and practical legal advice to the executive team, Human Resources, and other departments on daily labor and employment matters, including hiring, performance management, terminations, leaves of absence (FMLA, ADA), compensation, benefits, and interpretation of the collective bargaining agreement.
Litigation and Dispute Resolution Manage employment-related litigation, including administrative complaints (EEOC, DOL, state agencies) and demand letters. Develop case strategies, conduct discovery and witness preparation, and manage outside counsel to ensure efficient and favorable resolutions. Represent the company in labor arbitrations and before the National Labor Relations Board.
Policy Development and Compliance Draft, review, and implement company-wide policies, procedures, and employee handbooks to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Proactively monitor issuance of executive orders and changes in legislation and translate them into corporate policy.
Workplace Investigations Oversee and advise on complex internal workplace investigations, ensuring fairness, thoroughness, and legal compliance.
Outside Services Consulting with Senior Managing General Counsel regarding when to engage outside counsel or other outside services; establishing statements of work and objectives; overseeing selection of appropriate external resources; negotiating rates; overseeing performance to established statements of work and monitoring completion.
Risk Mitigation Supporting risk mitigation for areas of engagement, ensuring risks are identified and internal partners have information on potential risk mitigation strategies.
Education and Experience
Juris Doctor degree.
Eight or more years of experience in employment and labor; litigation and/or labor arbitration experience is a plus.
Admitted to the Oregon State Bar or willing to become admitted.
Bachelor’s degree.
Competencies Functional Competencies
Prior experience in government, in-house or at a law firm in litigation, investigations, employment, or labor.
Working knowledge of applicable laws, regulations and legal practice in multiple practice areas.
Basic skills for identifying risk, problem solving and strategic thinking in nonroutine operations and ambiguous situations.
Basic skills for distilling complex legal concepts and issues to make them understandable to nonlegal specialists.
Basic skills in understanding and supporting the technical needs of a regulated utility and advocating on behalf of the Company.
Advanced skills in legal research and writing.
Basic analytical thinking skills.
Basic decision-making skills.
Basic presentation/facilitation skills.
Basic project management skills.
Basic enterprise/business awareness skills.
General Competencies
Ability to lead positive change.
Ability to engage employees.
Ability to achieve results.
Ability to build capability.
Ability to design work.
Ability to uphold values.
Consulting skills.
Decision-making skills.
Enterprise/business awareness skills.
Negotiation skills.
Organization and prioritization skills.
Resource management skills.
Physical and Cognitive Demands
Substantial: consistent use of logic or scientific thinking to define problems and draw valid conclusions.
Cognitive: ability to adhere to response times, deadlines, accuracy standards, communicate under stress, adapt to change, and collaborate effectively.
Schedule/Attendance: work long hours; variable schedule; report during inclement weather; maintain full-time attendance.
Physical Capabilities: frequent travel (at least once weekly); use computer regularly for entire shift; work in indoor office environment with hybrid schedule (3 days in office).
Compensation and Benefits Compensation Range: $112,840.00 - $245,440.00. Actual total compensation, including a performance-based incentive bonus, is commensurate with experience, skills, qualifications, education, training, and internal equity. PGE provides a total rewards package that rewards performance and supports well‑being and professional development.
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At PGE, our work involves dreaming about, planning for, and realizing a smarter, cleaner, more enduring Oregon neighborhood. Its core to our DNA and we haven’t stopped since we started in 1888. We energize lives, strengthen communities and drive advancements in energy that promote social, economic and environmental progress. We’re always on the lookout for people passionate about leading and being a part of teams that are advancing innovative clean energy solutions that are also affordable and accessible to all.
The Counsel II role is a key strategic partner to our Human Resources and business leaders, providing expert legal guidance on a wide range of employment and labor issues. This role demands a pragmatic, business-oriented attorney with a deep understanding of federal, state, and labor laws, capable of managing litigation, conducting investigations, training, and developing compliance strategies within the unique context of the energy industry, which includes unionized field employees subject to health and safety regulations (e.g., OR-OSHA). The best candidates for this role are people who enjoy variety in their work and are strong team players with the ability to work through ambiguity to achieve business objectives. They are also able to work independently and demonstrate sound risk assessment capabilities in a fast-paced environment.
Key Responsibilities
Providing excellent legal advice and counsel to a broad assortment of internal partners on a variety of topics with a particular emphasis on mitigating litigation risks.
Preparing and reviewing legal documents and providing legal analysis, interpretations, and recommendations in compliance with corporate policies and applicable law.
Overseeing and assisting with document collection and discovery matters.
Overseeing and conducting internal investigations.
Representing the company in labor arbitrations and other legal matters.
Educating and training internal partners on legal topics and risk mitigation.
Implementing best practices and procedures that will mitigate the company’s risk.
Collaborating with internal and external stakeholders.
Carrying out other appropriate duties and responsibilities as may be assigned.
Legal Services – Legal Practice Provide timely and practical legal advice to the executive team, Human Resources, and other departments on daily labor and employment matters, including hiring, performance management, terminations, leaves of absence (FMLA, ADA), compensation, benefits, and interpretation of the collective bargaining agreement.
Litigation and Dispute Resolution Manage employment-related litigation, including administrative complaints (EEOC, DOL, state agencies) and demand letters. Develop case strategies, conduct discovery and witness preparation, and manage outside counsel to ensure efficient and favorable resolutions. Represent the company in labor arbitrations and before the National Labor Relations Board.
Policy Development and Compliance Draft, review, and implement company-wide policies, procedures, and employee handbooks to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Proactively monitor issuance of executive orders and changes in legislation and translate them into corporate policy.
Workplace Investigations Oversee and advise on complex internal workplace investigations, ensuring fairness, thoroughness, and legal compliance.
Outside Services Consulting with Senior Managing General Counsel regarding when to engage outside counsel or other outside services; establishing statements of work and objectives; overseeing selection of appropriate external resources; negotiating rates; overseeing performance to established statements of work and monitoring completion.
Risk Mitigation Supporting risk mitigation for areas of engagement, ensuring risks are identified and internal partners have information on potential risk mitigation strategies.
Education and Experience
Juris Doctor degree.
Eight or more years of experience in employment and labor; litigation and/or labor arbitration experience is a plus.
Admitted to the Oregon State Bar or willing to become admitted.
Bachelor’s degree.
Competencies Functional Competencies
Prior experience in government, in-house or at a law firm in litigation, investigations, employment, or labor.
Working knowledge of applicable laws, regulations and legal practice in multiple practice areas.
Basic skills for identifying risk, problem solving and strategic thinking in nonroutine operations and ambiguous situations.
Basic skills for distilling complex legal concepts and issues to make them understandable to nonlegal specialists.
Basic skills in understanding and supporting the technical needs of a regulated utility and advocating on behalf of the Company.
Advanced skills in legal research and writing.
Basic analytical thinking skills.
Basic decision-making skills.
Basic presentation/facilitation skills.
Basic project management skills.
Basic enterprise/business awareness skills.
General Competencies
Ability to lead positive change.
Ability to engage employees.
Ability to achieve results.
Ability to build capability.
Ability to design work.
Ability to uphold values.
Consulting skills.
Decision-making skills.
Enterprise/business awareness skills.
Negotiation skills.
Organization and prioritization skills.
Resource management skills.
Physical and Cognitive Demands
Substantial: consistent use of logic or scientific thinking to define problems and draw valid conclusions.
Cognitive: ability to adhere to response times, deadlines, accuracy standards, communicate under stress, adapt to change, and collaborate effectively.
Schedule/Attendance: work long hours; variable schedule; report during inclement weather; maintain full-time attendance.
Physical Capabilities: frequent travel (at least once weekly); use computer regularly for entire shift; work in indoor office environment with hybrid schedule (3 days in office).
Compensation and Benefits Compensation Range: $112,840.00 - $245,440.00. Actual total compensation, including a performance-based incentive bonus, is commensurate with experience, skills, qualifications, education, training, and internal equity. PGE provides a total rewards package that rewards performance and supports well‑being and professional development.
#J-18808-Ljbffr