DPS – OGC – Assistant General Counsel (00027005)
Organization: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
Primary Location: Texas-Austin
Work Location: AUSTIN HQ (MAIN)
5805 N LAMAR BLVD, AUSTIN TX 78752
Job: Attorney III, Attorney IV, Attorney V
Employee Status: Regular
Schedule: Full-time Standard Hours Per Week: 40.00
State Job Code: 3504, 3505, 3506
Salary Admin Plan: B25, B27, B29
Salary (Pay Basis): $6,250.00 – 10,8333.33 (Monthly)
Number of Openings: 2
Overtime Status: Exempt
Job Posting: September 21, 2022, 4:05:15 PM
Closing Date: October 5, 2022, 11:59:00 PM
**Official Law School Transcripts Are Required at The Time of Application**
The Texas Department of Public Safety is seeking an attorney for an Assistant General Counsel position in the DPS Office of General Counsel. As a large state law enforcement agency, the department is responsible for critical public safety, law enforcement support, licensing, and regulatory functions. The department includes the Texas Rangers, Texas Highway Patrol, Criminal Investigations Division, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism Division, state crime labs, the state driver licensing program, and other regulatory programs. The Office of General Counsel assists agency representatives with a wide range of legal matters, including employment, constitutional, contract, and open government issues.
The selected candidate will work closely with the agency’s law enforcement and administrative divisions as well as the department’s Media and Communications Office by providing legal advice and representation in responding to public information requests. This interesting work involves the review of criminal case and other investigative files, making legal arguments to the Office of the Attorney General, and working with the Public Information Request legal team. The ideal candidate will have experience advising governmental entities, knowledge of the Texas Public Information Act, and the ability to explain complex issues using plain language to clients and the general public. The position requires strong organizational skills, effective interpersonal communication, and the ability to manage deadlines independently.
The department offers a close, collegial work environment with career advancement opportunities. Other benefits of the position include:
- Flexible work schedules,
- Hybrid telecommuting for eligible positions,
- Comprehensive medical insurance with premiums paid at 100% for full time employees,
- Generous paid leave and holidays,
- Low turnover,
- Qualifying employment for purposes of Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program,
- Retirement pension, and
- Comprehensive wellness program
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Perform highly complex (senior-level) professional legal and administrative work in coordinating and performing the work of the General Counsel Section. Plans, organizes, coordinates, and directs the work of various legal services operations within General Counsel. Coordinate the handling of various functions involving other agencies, including litigation and legislative issues involving the Department. Provide legal counsel on a variety of issues involving the Department, including criminal, traffic, administrative, and employment law, personnel issues, rules, regulations, homeland security and emergency response and contracts. Work under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Provide sound legal counsel and assistance to management of all the divisions of the Department.
2. Plan, implement, direct, and coordinate legal assistance on the interpretation and application of agency regulations and state and federal laws.
3. Conduct legal research and review and draft legal documents, briefs, memoranda, contract, grant, purchasing, and leasing documents.
4. Prepare or supervise the preparation of reports submitted to the General Counsel.
5. Provide legal advice and assistance to all divisions, services, and bureaus on matters relating to licensing functions, departmental operations, law enforcement, statutory interpretation, and criminal and civil law.
6. Communicate with peace officers, Justice of the Peace, County and District Attorneys, Attorney General, and other public officials in the performance of duties.
7. Prepare or coordinate discovery and litigation efforts.
8. Review and draft contracts, grants, purchasing, and leasing documents.
9. May represent the Department in administrative or court hearings.
10. May be required to supervise support staff.
11. Attend work regularly and observe approved work hours in accordance with agency leave and attendance policies.
12. Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS and REQUIREMENTS
Education – Graduation from an accredited law school with a J.D. or L.L.B. is required.
Experience –
Attorney III – Minimum of three (3) years’ experience as an attorney involving Texas criminal or civil trial or administrative hearing work; or work involving contracts or grants, administrative rulemaking, juvenile and criminal records, employment law, legislative process, the Public Information Act, federal-state relations, procurement or leasing laws and codes; homeland security, criminal laws and codes, use of force issues, or driver license laws.
Attorney IV – Minimum of five (5) years’ experience as an attorney involving Texas criminal or civil trial or administrative hearing work; or work involving contracts or grants, administrative rulemaking, juvenile and criminal records, employment law, legislative process, the Public Information Act, federal-state relations, procurement or leasing laws and codes; homeland security, criminal laws and codes, use of force issues, or driver license laws.
Attorney V – Minimum of seven (7) years’ experience as an attorney involving Texas criminal or civil trial or administrative hearing work; or work involving contracts or grants, administrative rulemaking, juvenile and criminal records, employment law, legislative process, the Public Information Act, federal-state relations, procurement or leasing laws and codes; homeland security, criminal laws and codes, use of force issues, or driver license laws.
Licensure and/or Certification – Must be licensed by the State Bar of Texas and in good standing. Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Clearance. Must possess a valid driver license from state of residence.
Interpersonal Skills – Must demonstrate an ability to exercise poise, tact, diplomacy, and an ability to establish and maintain positive, working/professional relationships with clients at all organizational levels and the public.
Presentation/Communication Skills – Must be able to construct and deliver clear, concise, persuasive, and professional presentations to a variety of audiences or individuals.
Analytical Reasoning/Attention to Detail – Must demonstrate an ability to examine data/information, discern variations/similarities, and be able identify trends, relationships, and causal factors, as well as grasp issues, draw accurate conclusions, and solve problems.
Organizational and Prioritization Skills – Must be organized, flexible, and able to effectively prioritize in a multi-demand and constantly changing environment; able to meet multiple and sometimes conflicting deadlines without sacrificing accuracy, timeliness, or professionalism.
Regulatory knowledge – Working knowledge of, or the ability to rapidly assimilate information related to TXDPS, State and Federal regulations, legislation, guidelines, policies, and procedures. Knowledge of: terminology, research methods and techniques, preparation and use of legal documents, administrative and court procedures, law office practices and procedures, relevant laws, and the details of the English language as it is applied in legal documents; federal and state criminal law, public information, and criminal intelligence laws, including affecting the operation and administration of intelligence operations and oversight, Code of Federal Regulations for criminal investigation and data collection to include electronic data communications and retention
policies as well as privacy laws.
Technology (computers/hardware/software/operating systems) – Must possess appropriate levels of proficiency with utilized software and systems and be able to learn new software/systems. Ability to conduct Legal Research utilizing Westlaw/Lexis. Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
Confidentiality and Protected Information – Must demonstrate an ability to responsibly handle sensitive and confidential information and situations and adhere to applicable laws/statutes/policies related to access, maintenance, and dissemination of information.
Schedule and/or Remote/Telecommuting work and/or Travel – Availability for after-hour and weekend work is required. Hybrid work schedule involving a mix of telecommuting and in office work is an option subject to the needs of the department and management.
PHYSICAL and/or ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS
The physical and environmental demands described here are representative of those encountered and/or necessary for the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job; reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Environment: Office;
- Ambulatory skills, e.g. stand, walk, sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch;
- Hand-eye coordination and arm/hand/finger dexterity;
- Ability to speak, hear, and exercise visual acuity;
- Ability to transfer weights of twenty (20) pounds anticipated for this position;
- Driving requirements: Occasional (ten 10%).
PLEASE NOTE: All applications must contain complete job histories, which includes job title, dates of employment, name of employer, supervisor’s name and phone number and a description of duties performed. If this information is not submitted, your application may be rejected because it is incomplete. Resumes do not take the place of this required information.
The following Military Occupational Specialty codes are generally applicable to this position. Applicants must fully complete the summary of experience to determine if minimum qualifications are met. https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_Legal.pdf
APPLICATION SHOULD BE SUBMITTED THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY ONLINE LINK
OR APPLICATIION CAN BE SUBMITTED THROUGH WORK IN TEXAS: Go to CAPPS Recruit to Sign In https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en
Salary is contingent upon qualifications and is subject to salary administration and budgetary restrictions.
State of Texas Benefits and Retirement Information: https://www.ers.texas.gov/
DUE TO THE HIGH VOLUME OF APPLICATIONS WE DO NOT ACCEPT TELEPHONE CALLS, ONLY CANDIDATES SELECTED FOR INTERVIEW WILL BE CONTACTED.
State of Texas retirees may be rehired for full-time, non-commissioned positions only under very specific circumstances.