Law Clerk - Legal Counsel - Temporary (Summer 2027)

Law Clerk - Legal Counsel - Temporary (Summer 2027)

Salary

$20.76 Hourly

Location

Salem, OR

Job Type

Part-time Temporary

Job Number

T931-2026-2

Department

Legal Counsel

Opening Date

09/04/2026

Closing Date

9/17/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit

03

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Marion County requires on-site work. Remote work is not available.

New employees start at Step 1 of the pay scale. $20.76/hour.

Marion County's Office of Legal Counsel values a strong culture that encourages excellence, service, teamwork, initiative, and creativity. County legal work and litigation covers a wide variety of legal topics, including public safety, torts, employment, civil rights, property taxes, land use, quality of life, and pushing back on state/federal regulatory overreach.

Marion County Legal Counsel is looking for excellent law clerks, with the plan of hiring one full-time law clerk during summer 2027.

Marion County serves over 350,000 residents and includes 20 incorporated cities, 37 unincorporated communities, and nearly 1,200 square miles as Oregon's leading agricultural producer. Marion County has 17 departments, more than 1,600 employees, and a fiscal year 2025-26 total budget around $743 million. Legal Counsel attorneys serve as the exclusive civil lawyers and counselors for Marion County in a wide range of areas-including Board of Commissioners, Sheriff, District Attorney, Clerk, Assessor, Treasurer, justice court, health & human services, public works, contracts, litigation, land use, parks, economic development, housing authority, utilities, waste services, community services, human resources, finance, etc.

The Office of Legal Counsel supports Marion County's work to further its strategic plan goals:

• Public Safety: Pursue a safe and secure community by protecting people, property, and the economy of Marion County.
• Transportation, Infrastructure, and Emergency Management: Provide leadership that addresses the continual growth and increasing diversity of Marion County's population and focuses resources on best meeting the needs of residents and supporting business.
• Health & Community Services: Promote the overall health of people in Marion County by improving the delivery of quality health services and supporting community-based prevention efforts.
• Economic and Community Development: Support employers, businesses, and property owners that promotes economic development and high standards of livability in Marion County.
• Civil and Government Services: Provide efficient, effective, and responsive government through stewardship and accountability.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES

Perform legal research, analysis, and writing; assist in case/trial preparation; related work as required. Assist legal team in providing legal counsel to Marion County departments and support county litigation. Work is primarily in civil law and not criminal law. This position is with County Counsel, not the District Attorney.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Work under the close supervision of the Marion County Counsel and multiple Assistant Counsel, who determine goals, assign work, and review work for effectiveness and conformance to policy through reports, observation, and conferences.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Supervision of other employees is not a responsibility of positions in this classification.

Typical Duties - Duties include, but are not limited to the following

• Research and analyze legal issues and draft written memoranda.
• Assist with preparing and conducting litigation.
• Assist with reviewing, drafting, and responding to legal documents, including subpoenas.
• Assist with providing advice to county departments, responding to inquiries of other government bodies and private citizens regarding public records, county regulations, complaints, and cooperative efforts.
• Perform other duties as assigned by your supervisor.

Requirements for the Position

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

• Bachelors degree; AND
• One (1) year of law school completed as of summer 2027.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• The finalist for this position will be required to pass a criminal history background check; however, conviction of a crime may not necessarily disqualify an individual for this position.
• This is a part-time temporary position, which is eligible for overtime.
• This position is not represented by a union.
• Typical work schedule will be during work week of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., with flexibility depending upon the needs of the department and program.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Basic knowledge of legal terminology; State and Federal civil practice and procedures; and local government and administrative practices.

Ability to analyze facts, evidence, and precedents to arrive at logical conclusions; set forth facts, legal argument, and opinions in concise written form; effectively communicate in both oral and written form; appear effectively before a trial court or administrative body; establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, courts, co-workers, and other agencies.

Skill in drafting legal documents; operating a computer to input, retrieve, and access information.

PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS

Marion County is a qualifying public employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, full-time employees working at the County may qualify for forgiveness of the remaining balance on Direct Student Loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan. Questions about your student loan eligibility should be directed to your loan servicer or the US Department of Education.

VISA SPONSORSHIP

Marion County does not offer VISA sponsorship. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security's I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. Marion County is an E-Verify employer and will use E-Verify to confirm that hires are authorized to work in the United States.

VETERANS' PREFERENCE

Applicants are eligible to use Veterans' Preference when applying with Marion County in accordance with ORS 408.225, 408.230, and 408.235 and OAR 105-040-0010 and 105-040-0015. Preference will be awarded only if the applicant meets the minimum requirements of the position and attaches the required documentation at the time of application.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR VETERANS' PREFERENCE

• One of the following:

• MEMBER COPY 4 of the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214 or 215); OR

• Letter from the US Department of Veterans Affairs indicating receipt of a non-service connected pension; OR

• Certification that discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions will take place not later than 120 days after the submission of the certificate.

• In addition to one of the above documents, Disabled Veterans must also submit one of the following:

• A copy of their Veterans disability preference letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs; OR

• Certification that medical separation from active duty under honorable conditions will take place not later than 120 days after the submission of the certificate.

You can request copies of your military service record through the National Archives website at http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/

Marion County is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, Veteran and Disability employer committed to increasing the diversity of its workforce.

Applicants with a disability may request reasonable accommodation, through Human Resources, in any step of the process to assist them in demonstrating their qualifications to perform the duties of the position for which they are applying. Please e-mail Human Resources if you wish to request an accommodation.

Temporary employees are not eligible to receive benefits.

01

To receive credit for your supplemental questions, your answers must be supported by details in the education and/or work experience section of your application form. "See resume" is not an acceptable answer. Do you understand this statement?

• Yes
• No

02

What is the highest level of education you expect to have successfully completed by summer 2027?

• One year of law school
• Two years of law school
• Three years of law school
• Juris Doctorate Degree or higher
• None of the above

03

Indicate how many months of full-time work experience or equivalent you have directly related to the legal field (e.g. prior law clerk work, legal clinics, paralegal work). (One month of full-time work experience equivalent is equal to 173 hours.)

• Less than 1 month
• 1 month to less than 2 months
• 2 months to less than 3 months
• 3 months to less than 4 months
• 4 months to less than 5 months
• 5 months to less than 6 months
• 6 months to less than 7 months
• 7 months to less than 8 months
• 8 months to less than 9 months
• 9 months to less than 10 months
• 10 months to less than 11 months
• 11 months to less than 12 months
• 12 months to less than 24 months
• 24 months or more
• None of the above

04

Indicate how many months of full-time work experience or equivalent you have directly related to government (e.g. employment by government entity, public policy internship, volunteer, or elected position). (One month of full-time work experience equivalent is equal to 173 hours.)

• Less than 1 month
• 1 month to less than 2 months
• 2 months to less than 3 months
• 3 months to less than 4 months
• 4 months to less than 5 months
• 5 months to less than 6 months
• 6 months to less than 7 months
• 7 months to less than 8 months
• 8 months to less than 9 months
• 9 months to less than 10 months
• 10 months to less than 11 months
• 11 months to less than 12 months
• 12 months to less than 24 months
• 24 months or more
• None of the above

05

Approximately how many court hearings or trials have you observed?

• 0
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5-10
• 11-20
• 21+

06

Approximately how many court hearings or trials have you participated in as a certified law student?

• 0
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5-10
• 11-20
• 21+

07

Approximately how many motions or briefs have you written? You may include law school projects.

• 0
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10-20
• 21+

08

What is your approximate law school class rank?

• Top 10%
• Top 20%
• Top 30%
• Top 40%
• Top 50%
• Top 60%
• Top 70%
• Bottom 30%
• 1L without current class rank

09

What was your LSAT score range? If you took the LSAT multiple times, use your score from the most recent time you took it.

• 120-130
• 131-140
• 141-145
• 146-150
• 151-155
• 156-160
• 161-165
• 166-170
• 171-180

10

Have you participated on a debate team, moot court team, mock trial team, or similar advocacy team? This includes during high school, college, law school, etc.

• Yes, up to 1 year
• Yes, 1 year to up to 2 years
• Yes, 2 years to up to 3 years
• Yes, more than 3 years
• No

11

Are you either (1) currently enrolled, in good standing, at a law school or (2) graduated from law school with a JD degree?

• Yes
• No

12

You must provide copies of the following documents as part of your application: (1) one-page cover letter discussing why you want to work for Marion County and why you think you would be a good fit for this position; (2) resume; (3) writing sample of 10 pages or less (may be excerpt from longer document); and (3) law school transcript (official or unofficial). Do you understand this requirement?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Marion County

Address PO BOX 14500

Salem, Oregon, 97309

Phone (503) 566-3949

Website https://www.co.marion.or.us/HR/Pages/jobs.aspx