DPS – OGC – Crime Records Service Attorney – 3504 (00039659)
Organization: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
Primary Location: Texas-Austin
Work Locations:
5805 N LAMAR BLVD PO BOX 4143 AUSTIN TX 78765
Austin 78752
Other Locations:
Job: Legal
Employee Status: Regular
Schedule: Full-time Standard Hours Per Week: 40.00
State Job Code: 3504
Salary Admin Plan: B
Grade: 26
Salary (Pay Basis): 7,266.67 – 7,833.34 (Monthly)
Number of Openings: 1
Overtime Status: Exempt
Posting Date: Jan 26, 2024
Closing Date: Feb 13, 2024
Description
**Official Law School transcripts are required at the time of application**
Are you looking for a position where you can work on a variety of interesting legal issues that impact public safety while maintaining a healthy work-life balance? The Texas Department of Public Safety is seeking an attorney to join a specialized team dedicated to representing and advising the agency on issues related to criminal history record information. The selected candidate will focus on the new Terrorist Offender Registration Program but will also collaborate with colleagues on issues related to expunctions, juvenile sealings, sex offender registration, and others.
The department offers a close, collegial work environment with career advancement opportunities. Other benefits of the position include:
• Flexible work schedules,
• Hybrid telecommuting options,
• Comprehensive medical insurance with premiums paid at 100% for full time employees,
• Generous paid leave and holidays,
• Qualifying employment for purposes of Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program,
• Retirement pension, and
• Comprehensive wellness program
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.
SUBMITTED THROUGH WORK IN TEXAS: Work In Texas (WIT) applicants must complete the supplemental questions to be considered for the posting. In order to complete the supplemental questions please go to CAPPS Recruit to register or login and access your profile. Go to CAPPS Recruit to Sign In https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Perform highly complex (senior-level) professional legal and administrative work for the Office of Crime Records Counsel. Work involves providing legal research and counsel on issues affecting the Crime Records Division, including, but not limited to, the expunction laws, the sex offender laws, the terrorist offender laws, the juvenile sealing laws, the public information act, and subpoenas; and participating in the drafting of legislation and administrative rules. Work under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
The following Military Occupational Specialty codes are generally applicable to this position. https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_Legal.pdf.
Applicants must fully complete the summary of experience to determine if minimum qualifications are met.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Perform legal research and provides legal counsel to Crime Records Division personnel regarding issues affecting the division.
2. Evaluate sex and terrorist offender registration eligibility.
3. Research federal laws and laws of other states to determine whether the offenses are substantially similar to Texas offenses that require sex and terrorist offender registration.
4. Evaluate expunction petitions to determine whether applicants are eligible for the expunction of the record, research applicable law, and obtain any additional records necessary to make the determination.
5. Prepare and file answers to expunction petitions and represents the agency expunction hearings held before a court as appropriate.
6. Draft and file notices of appeals and briefs in the Court of Appeals and Texas Supreme Court.
7. Represent the agency in appeals or provide litigation assistance to the Texas Attorney General’s Office.
8. Assist in drafting legislation and monitoring pending legislation that affects the Crime Records Division.
9. Draft administrative rules related to laws affecting the Crime Records Division.
10. Respond to telephone and written inquiries regarding laws affecting the Crime Records Division from legislators, county and district attorneys, employees in the Texas Attorney General’s Office, judges, law enforcement agencies, Department employees, and the general public.
11. Provide legal counsel regarding, and coordinates responses to, subpoenas and requests under the Public Information Act.
12. Assists in formulating, coordinating, and establishing policies and procedures.
13. May participate in coordinating and monitoring the work of lower-level OCRC attorneys and support staff in the absence of the supervisor.
14. Attend work regularly and observe approved work hours in accordance with agency leave and attendance policies.
15. Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS and REQUIREMENTS:
Education – Graduation from an accredited law school with an L.L.B. or J.D. degree is required.
Experience – Experience in the areas of legal research, trial and appellate procedures, Rules of Evidence, Rules of Civil Procedure, Rules of Appellate Procedure, Texas Penal Code, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Texas Government Code, or other general Texas law is required.
Licensure and/or Certification – Must be licensed by the State Bar of Texas in good standing. Must possess a valid driver license from state of residence.
Regulatory knowledge – Working, considerable, thorough, or extensive knowledge (depending on level) of legal terminology, research methods and techniques, preparation and use of legal documents, administrative and court procedures, law office practices and procedures, and relevant laws. Skill in conducting legal research, including Westlaw, Lexis, or similar computer-assisted research.
Leadership skills – Strong leadership skills with the ability to direct and motivate others and maintain a persuasive and credible presentation style at all levels of the organization. Must exemplify the Department’s core mission – to Protect and Serve Texas and the values of integrity, teamwork, accountability, and excellence.
Analytical Reasoning/Attention to Detail – Skill in conducting legal research, including Westlaw, Lexis, or similar computer-assisted research. Skill in English composition, grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Ability to evaluate information and relate it to applicable law and to solve complex work-related problems.
Interpersonal Skills – Must demonstrate an ability to exercise poise, tact, diplomacy, and an ability to establish and maintain positive, working/professional relationships with internal/external customers.
Presentation/Communication Skills – Must be able to construct and deliver clear, concise, and professional presentations to a variety of audiences and/or individuals.
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.
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.
Travel and/or Schedule – Availability for after-hour and weekend work is required. Ability to travel throughout the state as required.
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%]).
State of Texas Benefits and Retirement Information: https://www.ers.texas.gov/
A DPS employee who is selected for a position in the same salary group and state title as their current position will be transferred with no salary change.
A DPS employee who is selected for a position in their current salary group with a new state title may receive an increase of no more than 3.4% over their current salary regardless of posted salary.
Salary is contingent upon qualifications and is subject to salary administration and budgetary restrictions.
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.