Staff Attorney

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS•Austin, TX

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Performs advanced (senior-level) legal work as the Texas Civil Commitment Office (TCCO) staff attorney providing in-house legal and administrative services to TCCO based on the current needs of the agency. Work involves providing legal advice to agency board members and agency staff on matters involving civil commitment law, open government, contracting, employment and legislative changes. Plans, assigns, and/or supervises the work of others. Serves as the agency’s ethics advisor and Public Information Officer. Acts as the agency’s liaison with the Special Prosecutions Unit and the Independent Office of Inmate Counsel regarding civil commitment processes and cases. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Requirements

Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations related to business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, and leadership techniques; contracting; and of the principles and practices of public administration and management.
Skill in planning, organizing, and managing legal services.
Skill in identifying problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Skill in conducting legal analysis.
Skill in interpreting and applying statutes and regulations.
Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
Skill in handling multiple projects and meeting tight deadlines.
Skill in communicating orally and in writing.
Skill in planning and assigning the work of self and others.
Skill in legal writing.
Ability to plan and organize work.
Ability to communicate effectively.
Ability to plan, assign, or supervise the work of others.
Ability to direct and organize the effective and efficient provision of legal services.
Member in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.
Must possess a license to practice law in the state of Texas.
Graduation from an accredited law school with a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) or a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree.
Experience practicing government or administrative law.

Nice To Haves

Public information act request experience preferred, state experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Provides legal counsel and advice to the Executive Director and the agency’s governing board.
Manages litigation including interacting with the Office of Attorney General in monitoring cases and recommending strategies for litigation cases and all legal issues and functions.
Oversees the preparation of legal opinions and briefs.
Maintains a thorough knowledge of agency policies, procedures and programming.
Provides legal advice and legal opinions on policy decision-making and identifies appropriate legal solutions.
Drafts and reviews legal documents, administrative rules, and bills for legislative consideration.
Formulates, coordinates and establishes the development and implementation of agency policies and procedure.
Participates in the agency’s strategic planning process.
Provides legal consultation and expertise to the Executive Director and governing board to identify and manage strategic risks.
Consults with agency management to develop appropriate solutions to the legal needs of agency operations.
Serves on various agency committees and task forces; testifies at hearings and legislative meetings.
Serves as the agency's legal counsel for contracting.
Approves draft solicitations for procurement.
Drafts agency contracts and maintains a thorough knowledge of all agency contracts.
Provides legal advice regarding contract issues and identifies appropriate legal solutions.
Prepares, reviews, edits, and approves agency reports and studies.
Reviews laws, rules, and regulations affecting agency operations and administration.
Conducts interviews and testifies at hearings.
Prepare cases for trial.
Confers with legislators, legislative staff, other state agencies and federal entities in accordance with direction from executive leadership.
Acts as agency Public Information Officer, responsible for the coordination and response to all public information act requests and release of agency information.
May act as agency spokesperson or representative in interviews with members of the media.
Hires, manages, and develops staff, and recommends appropriate personnel actions to foster a fair, honest and equitable work environment.
Provides direct reports with work assignments, clear direction and information on responsibilities and work performance expectations, and carries out other expected human resources and supervisory activities relating to direct reports.