Assistant General Counsel - Contracts Attorney

Closing Date: 28th February, 2026

Description:

Description:
The Department of Public Safety - Office of General Counsel is seeking an Assistant General Counsel (Contracts Attorney) position with experience in state contracting and state procurement. The successful candidate will provide complex legal services including providing legal advice regarding all aspects of purchasing and contracting from planning through negotiation, performance monitoring, and closeout. The successful candidate will represent the agency in procurement matters, contract negotiations, and disputes including protest and contract-related claims as well as other matters as assigned by the Supervising Attorney. The candidate must have a basic understanding of contracts and business law as well as Texas State agency procurement and contracting law, including applicable State Policy such as the State of Texas Procurement and Contract Management Guide and TxGMS. Ideal candidate will be knowledgeable about contracting best practices, comfortable using technology, and have excellent oral and written communication skills.

We are currently seeking an experienced attorney with at least three (3) years of experience as a licensed, practicing attorney and prefer applicants with state contracting and procurement experience for a position in the classification ranges of Attorney III-IV. Final salary and classification will be based on experience and qualifications.

The department offers a collaborative work environment with career advancement opportunities. Benefits include:

• Comprehensive medical insurance with premiums paid at 100% for full-time employees and the state pays 50% of the premium for dependents
• Flexible work schedules
• Hybrid work schedule involving a mix of telecommuting and in office work is an option subject to the needs of the department and management.
• Generous paid leave and holidays
• State retirement pension plan
• 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 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.

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

Essential Duties / Responsibilities:

• Plan, direct, implement, direct and coordinate legal assistance to management of all the divisions of the Department.
• Review and draft contracts, grants, purchasing, and leasing documents.
• Prepare or supervise the preparation of the reports submitted to the General Counsel.
• 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 litigation.
• Communicate with peace officers, Justice of the Peace, County and District Attorneys, Attorney General and other public officials in the performance of duties.
• Prepare budgetary documents for program activities.
• Prepare and/or co ordinate discovery and litigation efforts.
• May represent the Department in administrative or court hearings.
• May be required to supervise support staff.
• Attend work regularly and observe approved work hours in accordance with agency leave and attendance policies.
• 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 a licensed, practicing attorney.

Attorney IV - Minimum of five (5) years' experience as a licensed, practicing attorney.

Preferred Experience – Experience in work involving state agency management of contracts or grants, the federal common grant rule, real estate and leasing transactions, TxGMS, procurement and solicitation processes and laws, procurement protests, contract dispute resolution, intellectual property, IT licenses, and leasing 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.

Travel and Schedule - 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, smell, and exercise visual acuity;
• Ability to transfer weights of twenty (20) pounds anticipated for this position;
• Driving requirements: Occasional (ten [10%]).

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