System Contracting Attorney

Texas Health & Human Services Commission•Austin, TX

1d•$9,167 - $9,460•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 law; and advising HHS agency personnel on procurement and contracting matters. This position performs highly complex, senior-level legal work involving agency procurements, grants, contracting, and contract enforcement. The attorney helps ensure that the agency and its contractors comply with applicable state and federal laws and regulations. The role also includes representing the agency in procurement matters, contract negotiations and disputes, including protests and contract-related claims, and participating in assigned projects involving policies, rules, procedures, forms, and legislative changes. The successful candidate will collaborate with program managers and procurement professionals on healthcare contracts that affect Texans.

Requirements

Licensed to practice law in the State of 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, and federal and state statutes, regulations, and policies affecting health and human services programs.
Skills in legal research, including use of Westlaw and other internet legal research resources; researching and summarizing findings; and using legal reference materials.
Ability to identify legal issues and explain complex legal problems clearly and concisely in writing and verbally.
Ability to prepare opinions, contracts, rules, policies and procedures, and complex procurement and contractual documents.
Ability to identify problems, evaluate alternatives, implement solutions, organize and manage multiple priorities, and analyze moderately complex to advanced factual and legal issues.
Ability to collaborate with clients, government officers and employees, and stakeholder groups, and maintain professional relations with agency staff, other agencies, and the public.
Skill in operating a personal computer and basic office equipment.

Nice To Haves

Experience with contract drafting, review, and negotiation.
Experience with IT contracting, government procurement, and federally funded contracts.
Three years of experience in the practice of law.

Responsibilities

Review, revise, and draft complex contracts and solicitation documents, including Requests for Proposals, Requests for Offers, Requests for Qualifications, Requests for Applications, and Invitations for Bids, consistent with the agency’s legal authority and applicable laws and regulations.
Support and advise agency staff during negotiations with vendors.
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 and consult with management about legal implications of potential changes to contract practices and procedures.
Represent the agency in procurement matters, contract negotiations, disputes, protests, and contract-related claims, as well as other matters requested by agency management.
Assist in representing the agency in administrative or contested case hearings.
Draft substantive legal documents, including opinions, briefs, and memoranda analyzing agency 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 implementation of legislative changes.
Perform additional duties as assigned.