Specifications include, but are not limited to: Counsel shall provide legal services related to employment and personnel matters, including both general advice and litigation,on an “as-needed” basis, asrequested by EWEB’s Leadership Team, theHuman Resource Manager, or designees. Scope of the services will include, but are not limited to the following items or tasks: 2.5.1 Perform research and interpret laws, court decisions, and other legal authorities to prepare legal opinions and to render legal advice concerning employment and labor issues that affect EWEB business. 2.5.2 Provide guidance on policy and policy development, and requirementsin general work practices. 2.5.3 Review and advise on Federal and State legislation or case law as needed to ensure EWEB’s policies and practices are appropriately adjusted to reflect current requirements related to labor and employment, benefits and leave administration, workers’ compensation, health and safety requirements, and other relevant areas of law. 2.5.4 Research and prepare for litigation support, including monitoring of all matters involving labor and employment litigation affecting EWEB. Represent EWEB in all labor and employment related actions, suits, or proceedings in which EWEB is a party or is legally interested. 2.5.5 Attend, as needed and directed by EWEB’s Human Resources Manager, meetings of the EWEB Board of Commissioners and meetings of the EWEB Leadership Team. 2.5.6 Conduct periodic training sessionsfor EWEB staff on issuesjointly determined by EWEB and the firm. 2.5.7 Scope of Legal advice may pertain to: (a) Hiring and selection; (b) Discipline and discharge; (c) Labor relations including interpretation, development, and execution of contract and/or settlement agreements, and related correspondence. (d) Collective Bargaining, including development of strategies, development of contractual language, resolution of disputes, advice and counsel pertaining to legal issues. (e) Advice on labor law and contracts including legal requirements pertaining to labor issues. (f) Grievance responses including identification of contract issues and development of responses. (g) Labor Arbitrations including representation before hearing officers, negotiation of issues and resolutions, etc. (h) Workers’ compensation, including coordination with EWEB staff and third party insurer, to mitigate and defend contested claims. (i) Unemployment Compensation, including representation at variouslevels of appeals. (j) Wages and Benefits, including advice, representation, and identification/definition of issues related to existing and future wages, personnel and pension matters, and benefits (medical, dental, vision, retirement plans, Oregon PERS, etc.)
