Staff Attorney

DPS – OGC – Staff Attorney, ALR (00026487)
Organization: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
Primary Location: Texas-Waco
Work Locations:
WACO (CREST DR)
1617 E CREST DR
Waco 76705

Job: Attorney I, Attorney II
Employee Status: Regular
Schedule: Full-time Standard Hours Per Week: 40.00
State Job Code: 3502 3503
Salary Admin Plan: B
Grade: 21, 23

Salary (Pay Basis): 5,000.00 – 6,114.00 (Monthly)

Number of Openings: 1

Overtime Status: Exempt

Job Posting: Sep 19, 2022, 3:21:50 PM
Closing Date: Oct 3, 2022, 11:59:00 PM

THE POSITION HAS THE ABILITY TO TELECOMMUTE 4-5 DAYS PER WEEK EXCEPT AS REQUIRED FOR COURT APPEARANCE OR AS DETERMINED NECESSARY BY THE SUPERVISOR.

**Official Law School transcripts are required at the time of application. **

This position handles a high volume of ALR cases.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:  

Perform entry-level to routine (journey-level) attorney work.  Work involves professional legal and administrative work in coordinating and performing the hearing preparation of assigned hearing cases as an advocate attorney of the Department for the Administrative License Revocation Program; in presenting administrative hearing cases dealing with driver license suspensions resulting from persons who have allegedly driven while intoxicated. Work under moderate supervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Plan, implement, and present facts of assigned license suspension cases in Administrative hearings.

2. Provide limited legal advice and assistance to requesting departmental personnel on matters relating to relevant driver and license suspension functions, departmental operations, law enforcement, statutory interpretation, and criminal and civil litigation.

3. Represent the department in administrative court hearings either by telephone or in person.

4. Respond by written correspondence, telephone, or in person to inquiries regarding the rules, regulations, policies, and procedures applicable to the Administrative License Revocation Program.

5. Perform duties involving content and application of trial procedures, DWI statutes, Texas Administrative Procedures Act, Rules of Evidence and/or Rules of Civil Procedure, Rules of Appellate Procedures, Texas, Penal Code, Transportation Code, and the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

6. Travel throughout the state as required.

7. Attend work regularly and observe approved work hours in accordance with agency leave and attendance policies.

8. Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS and REQUIREMENTS

Education – Graduation from an accredited school of law with a L.L.B or J.D. is required.

Experience –

Staff Attorney I – No experience is required.

Staff Attorney II – Minimum of five (5) years’ experiences as a practicing attorney presenting cases in court or administrative hearings is required.

Licensure and/or Certification – Licensure by the State Bar of Texas is required. Must possess a valid driver license from state of residence.

Regulatory Knowledge – Knowledge of the Texas Open Records Act, Driver’s License Law, DWI statutes, traffic laws, Administrative Procedure Act, Rules of Civil Procedure, Texas Penal Code, and the Code of Criminal Justice. Knowledge of state agency administrative procedures and familiarity with the State Office Administrative Hearings.

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.

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.

Presentation/Communication Skills – Must be able to construct and deliver clear, concise, and professional presentations to a variety of audiences and/or individuals.

Research and Comprehension – Knowledge of legal terminology, research methods and techniques, preparation and use of legal documents, administrative and court procedures, law office practices and procedures, relevant laws, and details of the English language as it applies to legal documents.

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.

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. Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook). Ability to conduct Legal Research utilizing Westlaw/Lexis.

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 and travel as required to attend hearings.

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: Daily (twenty [20%]).

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 applicants must complete the supplemental questions to be considered for the posting

Job Description – DPS – OGC – Staff Attorney, ALR – 3502-3503 (00026487) (taleo.net)

OR APPLICATIION CAN BE 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

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.