Contracts Attorney

Texas Health & Human Services Commission•Austin, TX

1d•$7,259 - $8,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is hiring an attorney for the System Contracting Department in the Legal Services Division of the HHS Office of Chief Counsel. The department provides legal support for HHS procurement and contract activities, including reviewing, drafting, and negotiating solicitation documents, contracts, amendments, memoranda of understanding, and interagency agreements; interpreting state and federal laws, regulations, and rules; and advising HHS agency personnel on procurement and contracting issues. This is moderately complex, journey-level legal work involving HHS system procurements, grants, contracting, and contract enforcement. The attorney helps ensure agency and contractor compliance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations. Work includes legal review, drafting, advice, and opinions on contracts, grants, and procurement matters. The attorney represents the HHS system in procurement matters, contract negotiations, and disputes, including protests and contract-related claims, and may assist with administrative or contested case hearings. The position also participates in assigned projects involving policy, rule, procedure, and form development, and reviews and implements legislative changes. The successful candidate collaborates with program managers and procurement professionals on healthcare contracts that affect Texans. The position is based in Austin and is eligible for telework, subject to state and agency policies, supervisor discretion, and business needs. It is full-time, regular, exempt employment with a day shift. The listed monthly salary range is $7,258.67 to $8,000.00.

Requirements

Licensed to practice law in Texas and a member in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university.
Juris Doctor or LL.B. degree from an accredited law school.
Knowledge of contract law, government procurement law, Texas state agency contracts, and contract and grant review, development, negotiation, and management.
Knowledge of legal principles, practices, and proceedings, and of federal and state statutes, regulations, and policies affecting health and human services programs.
Knowledge of Texas procurement and contracting laws.
Skill in efficient legal research, including use of Westlaw and other internet legal research tools; conducting research, summarizing findings, and using legal reference materials.
Ability to identify relevant legal issues and foresee legal implications of contract terms and procurement and contract actions, and provide related advice.
Exceptional oral and written communication skills, including the ability to explain complex legal problems clearly and concisely to varied audiences.
Skill in preparing opinions, contracts, rules, policies, procedures, and high-quality, complex procurement and contractual documents.
Ability to identify problems, evaluate alternatives, implement solutions, and exercise sound judgment amid ambiguity.
Ability to collaborate with clients, government officers and employees, and stakeholder groups, and to articulate legal concepts to management and other stakeholders.
Skill in operating a personal computer and basic office equipment.
Skill in providing legal representation in administrative or contested case hearings.
Ability to organize and manage multiple priorities, use time and resources efficiently, and apply creative, logical problem-solving techniques.
Ability to analyze moderately complex to advanced factual and legal issues involving a wide variety of federal and state laws.
Ability to maintain professional and collegial relationships with HHS system management and staff, other agencies, and the public.

Nice To Haves

Experience with contract drafting, review, and negotiation.
Experience with IT contracting, government procurement, and federally funded contracts.
Two years of experience practicing law.

Responsibilities

Review, revise, and draft complex contracts and solicitation documents, including requests for proposals, offers, qualifications, and applications, and invitations for bids, consistent with HHS legal authority and applicable laws and regulations.
Support HHS staff in vendor negotiations and advise agency staff on contracts.
Advise HHS staff on federal and state contract laws and regulations; review and draft legal instruments and regulations; and provide legal advice on contracting, procurement, and enforcement.
Provide legal assistance on adverse actions involving contracts and consult with management about legal implications of potential changes to contract practices and procedures.
Represent the HHS system in procurement matters, contract negotiations, disputes, protests, and contract-related claims, and assist in administrative or contested case hearings.
Perform other assigned duties, including drafting legal opinions, briefs, and memoranda analyzing HHS authority under state and federal law and proposed or enacted legislation.
Participate in assigned projects involving development of policies, rules, procedures, and forms, and review and implement legislative changes.