Description

Oregon Law Center (OLC) seeks a full-time state Legislative and Policy Advocate.  This position provides an exciting opportunity for an experienced advocate to work as part of a team dedicated to improving the lives of low-income Oregonians. Legislative and administrative advocacy at OLC focuses on issues related to poverty, including family law, employment, farmworker justice, civil rights, human services and public benefits, consumer law, landlord-tenant, affordable housing and homelessness, healthcare, and domestic and sexual violence survivor advocacy. 

About the Oregon Law Center

OLC is a statewide non-profit legal services program committed to achieving justice for the low-income communities of Oregon by providing a full range of the highest quality civil legal services.  OLC does not receive funding from the federal Legal Services Corporation.  OLC operates eleven regional client service offices, a litigation support unit, legislative advocacy unit, and statewide farmworker program.  OLC works closely with Legal Aid Services of Oregon and other partners in Oregon’s coordinated civil legal services delivery system.

About this Position 

The Legislative and Policy Advocate will be responsible for moving forward a portion of OLC’s legislative and policy priorities.  OLC’s agenda is non-partisan and established through a priority setting process approved by OLC’s Board.  This process incorporates input from our clients and client communities, the eleven OLC offices, OLC’s litigation support unit, community partners, and the legal community.  Advocacy issues and responsibilities are shared, with each member of the legislative team playing a role with subject-matter specialization and focus. 

The position is a full-time, exempt position that reports to and is supervised by the Director of Public Affairs and Legislative Advocacy.  The position will join the director and two legislative advocates, to make a team of four.  The position requires working in Salem on a daily basis during legislative sessions and at other times as necessary. OLC operates a hybrid work model, blending in-office and remote work.

Responsibilities  

•  Provide high quality legislative and administrative advocacy for OLC’s client communities. 
• Help policy makers understand the needs of low-income people in Oregon and the impact various proposals could have on low-income people. 
• Craft strategic legislative, administrative, and budget priorities designed to be effective in both the short and long term.
• Conduct policy research to assist with the development of policy priorities.  
• Work effectively with legislative counsel, legislators, OLC lawyers, community partners and other stakeholders to draft priority legislation and amendments.
• Use independent judgment, in a fast-paced environment, to further the policy goals of OLC.
• Develop and maintain trusted relationships with the Governor’s office, legislators, and legislative staff, as well as community partners, agencies, coalitions, and the civil legal community. 
• Direct policy work of OLC employees, to ensure coordinated implementation of OLC’s legislative policy agenda. 
• Prepare high-quality expert testimony and information for legislative committees and staff, analyze measures, negotiate solutions, and track priority bills. 
• Help legal services advocates and community partners understand the legislative process, and legislative changes that impact client communities.

Requirements

• Demonstrated commitment to OLC’s mission: justice for low-income communities. 
• Demonstrated commitment to antiracism and racial justice.
• Exceptional prior relevant work experience.
• A high degree of initiative and demonstrated ability to work in coalition.
• Good judgment and ability to think strategically re: short-term and long-term policy agendas.
• Excellent written and verbal advocacy skills.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills, a sense of humor, and a positive attitude.
• Creative thinker and problem-solver.
• Ability to work longer hours during the legislative session.

 Preferences 

• Oregon-based legislative advocacy experience or legal services experience. 
• Experience with legislative, rulemaking, and agency budget negotiations. 
• Experience working on anti-poverty policy issues including immigration, farmworker, employment, civil rights, justice reform, gender-based violence, homelessness, or others.
• Legal training, OSB membership, or demonstrated ability to manage relationships with and technical input from lawyers and other legal community stakeholders. 
• Five to ten years of experience.
• Additional language skills are a plus.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis starting May 8th, 2026, with first round of interviews to be scheduled in late May.  The position will remain open until filled.

As part of your cover letter, please address the following: 

OLC is committed to achieving justice for the low-income communities of Oregon. Our client communities include people of color, farmworkers, LGBTQ+ people, immigrants, seniors, people with lived experiences of homelessness, veterans, people with disabilities, and people from other underrepresented groups. It is essential to our work to serve clients that we also work to create an inclusive and respectful workplace in which differences are acknowledged and valued. How do you think your personal background or experiences, professional or otherwise, have prepared you to assist OLC in achieving these commitments?