Policy Attorney III

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS•Austin, TX

3d•Onsite

About The Position

This is an attorney III position for the Policy and Program Support team in the General Counsel’s Office. The attorney will act primarily in an advisory capacity, providing legal support to the Child Protective Services program as well as the other programs and divisions of the Department of Family and Protective Services. The attorney’s duties will range from legally reviewing and assisting with drafting policies, agency administrative rules, and other documents for CPS and other programs and divisions in the agency; researching issues of concern and implication to DFPS and drafting formal and informal memos for DFPS programs and executive management staff; providing legal advice as needed to the DFPS programs based on sound legal research; drafting fair hearing orders for adoption assistance and permanency care assistance denials; drafting legal sufficiency reviews for investigation findings that are appealed; providing timely and expert resource assistance to DFPS government relations staff and the legal legislative coordinator by reviewing and analyzing legislation that impacts the agency, responding to questions from the legislature, drafting legislative initiatives and statutory revisions, and serving as a resource witness during legislative hearings when needed; and providing general support to DFPS programs in their activities to ensure compliance with applicable laws. The selected candidate should have a strong working knowledge of federal and state child welfare laws, administrative rules, federal funding streams for child welfare agencies, and the operation of a state agency.

Requirements

Must be licensed to practice in Texas and in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.
Strong research and writing skills
Strong academic credentials
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as well as independently
Polished analytical and advocacy skills
Ability to complete assignments in a timely manner and work in a fast paced legal setting
Willingness to assist colleagues and take on additional projects as needed
Basic knowledge of public agency law and regulations or basic understanding of administrative law and public policy
Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (JD) degree and in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.

Responsibilities

Drafting and reviewing client-drafted, policies, procedures, rules and other documents (30%)
Reviewing and drafting Memoranda of Understanding for the CPS program, and other agency programs as needed (10%)
Providing consultation and advice concerning case specific questions and general issues of concern to CPS and other DFPS programs and divisions (20%)
Performing legal research and drafting legal memoranda on issues with implications to the agency as a whole, such as questions related to funding, ethics, and sharing of information (20%)
Handling informal administrative appeals, including issuing adoption assistance and permanency care assistance agreed orders as well as legal sufficiency reviews of investigation dispositions (5%)
Legislative tasks (5%)
Other duties as assigned (10%)

Benefits

100% paid health insurance for you, and 50% paid for eligible family members—saving you hundreds every month in out-of-pocket medical costs
Retirement plans with lifetime monthly payments after five years of state service, plus options to save even more with 401(k) and 457 plans
Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave so you can recharge and take care of life outside work (that’s time off you’re actually paid for)
Optional dental, vision, and life insurance—at rates much lower than most private plans
Flexible spending accounts for added tax savings on health and dependent care
Employee discounts on things like gym memberships, electronics, and entertainment

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