Attorney II

Texas Health & Human Services Commission•Austin, TX

3d•$7,156 - $8,000•Hybrid

About The Position

This position performs moderately complex (journey-level) attorney work in the Personnel Department of the Legal Services Division in the HHS Office of Chief Counsel (OCC) for the agencies of the Health and Human Services (HHS) system. The position is on the Labor and Employment Team, which provides legal advice on system wide employment issues. The work in this position involves overseeing and planning legal activities, preparing legal documents, drafting policies and procedures, and interpreting laws, regulations, and personnel policies. Work primarily focuses on HHS civil rights related matters. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Requirements

Must have a JD or LLB degree from an accredited law school, admission to the State Bar of Texas.
Licensed to practice law in Texas and be in good standing, or have taken the bar exam and are awaiting November results.
Knowledge of legal principles, practices, and proceedings.
Skilled in legal research, writing and analysis.
Skilled in handling multiple projects and meeting tight deadlines.
Skilled in demonstrating sound judgment.
Ability to effectively multi-task.
Skilled in identifying problems, evaluating alternatives, and implementing solutions.
Skilled in working collaboratively and cooperatively with client representatives, other government employees, and stakeholder groups.
Ability to organize and manage multiple tasks of varying priorities and to make efficient use of time and resources.
Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of audiences both verbally and in writing.
Ability to maintain effective and collegial relations with all levels of management, staff and the public.
Ability to analyze complex factual and legal issues related to a wide variety of federal and state laws.
Ability to use computer applications and databases related to essential functions of the job, including computer-assisted legal research, word processing software, Salesforce, and Microsoft Office including Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of employment and civil rights law is preferred.

Responsibilities

Review, investigate, and draft responses to external civil rights complaints through EEOC and TWC-CRD agency administrative processes.
Review new charges of discrimination to develop the agency's response strategy.
Direct investigative processes and procedures into factual allegations of charges.
Research civil rights law as it applies to individual charge allegations.
Draft position statements to be submitted to external agencies.
Maintain knowledge of changes in civil rights laws to ensure HHS maintains compliance with the agencies legal responsibilities.
Provide legal support and analysis to the HHS Civil Rights Office (CRO) on civil rights administrative matters such as reasonable accommodation requests, employee discrimination complaints, civil rights trainings, etc.
Provide advice and interpretation of the application of state and federal employment laws and regulations to the specific matter and advising CRO staff on how to proceed regarding investigations, accommodations, and findings.
Works with other attorneys in the Personnel Department and Litigation Department as necessary to develop a wholistic approach in civil rights related matters.
Provides legal support and advice to the HHS Human Resources department on policy matters.
Reviews changes in state and federal laws and regulations and assists HR with the development of policies and procedures to incorporate those changes.
Provides and/or assists with training for HHS system staff.
Participates in HHS work groups and special projects.
Reviews, drafts, and comments on legislation, statutes, rules, policies, and regulations related to HHS system operations, human resources, and employment law issues.
Conducts legal research and prepares legal opinions interpreting court cases, statutes, regulations, and Attorney General opinions.
Assists with the review of alleged policy or law violations.
Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with HHS leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.