Information Technology Contracts Attorney

Texas Health & Human Services Commission•Austin, TX

1d•$10,383 - $11,175•Hybrid

About The Position

The Information Technology Contracts Attorney works in the System Contracting Department, one of seven departments 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. The position performs highly complex legal work involving HHS system procurements, grants, contracting, and contract enforcement to help ensure agency and contractor compliance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations. The attorney represents the HHS system in procurement matters, contract negotiations and disputes—including protests and contract-related claims—and other matters requested by management. The attorney may also participate in projects involving policy, rule, procedure, and form development, as well as review and implementation of legislative changes. The successful candidate collaborates with program managers and procurement professionals on healthcare contracts.

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 LLB 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; federal and state statutes, regulations, and policies affecting health and human services programs; and Texas procurement and contracting laws.
Legal research skills, including use of Westlaw and other internet legal research tools.
Strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to explain complex legal matters clearly to varied audiences.
Ability to identify legal issues, prepare complex procurement and contractual documents, and exercise sound judgment.
Ability to collaborate with clients, government officers and employees, and stakeholder groups.
Ability to use a personal computer and basic office equipment.
Ability to organize and manage multiple priorities, analyze complex factual and legal issues, solve problems, and maintain professional relations with management, staff, other agencies, and the public.

Nice To Haves

Experience drafting, revising, and negotiating information technology contracts and familiarity with applicable information technology laws and regulations.
Five years of experience practicing law.
Experience with contract drafting, review, and negotiation.

Responsibilities

Review, revise, and draft complex contracts, including technology and license agreements, and solicitation documents such as RFPs, RFOs, RFQs, RFAs, and IFBs.
Support HHS staff in vendor negotiations and advise agency staff on contracts.
Advise agency 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.
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, contract-related claims, and other matters requested by leadership.
Assist in representing the HHS system in administrative or contested case hearings.
Perform additional assigned duties, including drafting opinions, briefs, and memoranda analyzing HHS system authority under state and federal law and proposed or enacted legislation.
Participate in projects involving development of policies, rules, procedures, and forms, and review and implementation of legislative changes.