Closing Date: 23rd September, 2025

Description:

Description:
The Railroad Commission of Texas is a state agency with primary regulatory jurisdiction over the oil and natural gas industry; pipeline transport and pipeline safety; natural gas utilities; the LP-gas industry, and surface mining operations. You can find more details about us on the Railroad Commission of Texas' website here https://www.rrc.texas.gov/about-us/.

General Description:
Performs legal work for the Office of General Counsel, General Law Section. This attorney position will provide legal support regarding a wide range of legal issues arising from the Commission's areas of responsibility. Duties include reviewing, researching or analyzing questions regarding: the Commission's rules and regulations or related statutes; Public Information Act requests; rulemaking initiatives; compliance documents submitted by permittees; proposed legislation and legislative implementation items. Will provide other legal services regarding operational or administrative matters as assigned. Works under the supervision of the Assistant General Counsel and assists staff attorneys in the Office of General Counsel as required.

Job Duties:
Provide legal support and respond to legal questions concerning the Commission's areas of responsibility, and duties may include matters such as:

Advice on legal matters and the interpretation and application of agency rules and regulations, as well as state and federal laws
Legal research and preparation of legal opinions and memoranda
Assist in managing litigation involving the agency
Assist in administrative hearings or proceedings
Assist in legislative implementation
Draft research memoranda on regulatory matters or administrative rules
Review drafts of laws, rules, and regulations affecting Commission operations
Interact with the district offices and general public; may involve occasional out-of-town travel
Perform other legal work as assigned

For Military Crosswalk Information, please visit: https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_Legal.pdf

Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree and Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school. Law school transcript must be included with application.

Licensed to practice law by the state of Texas, with active membership in good standing.

Note: Applicants who have already sat for the July 2025 Texas Bar Exam may apply and be considered for this position. Such applicants would commence employment in a Legal Assistant IV position with the same salary range while awaiting exam results and be reclassified into an Attorney I position upon passing the bar exam.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

Knowledge of legal principles, practices, and proceedings of state and federal laws, rules, and regulations, as well as agency administrative rules and regulations
Working knowledge of Texas statutory and regulatory requirements of state agencies
Skill in legal research, writing, and analysis; identifying and solving complex problems; interpreting and applying laws and regulations; and using judgment to identify courses of action
Ability to manage and prioritize a complex workload to meet applicable goals, objectives, and performance metrics
Ability to analyze complex legal problems and present sound opinions orally and in writing
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
Ability to take initiative and work independently
Ability to work effectively on a team
Ability to address issues/concerns in a professional manner
Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with internal/external stakeholder
Ability to effectively manage time, respond to high pressure situations, prioritize workloads and meet deadlines
Ability to understand and explain complex issues, regulations, and standards
Demonstrate excellent organizational, communication, and writing skills
Ability to produce high-quality legal documents
Ability to develop effective working relationships with Commission staff
Ability to interact effectively with the public
Proficient in the use of standard systems utilizing Microsoft Office Suite and database systems

Work Environment:
Primarily indoors with heating and cooling regulated in general office environment; the noise level in the work environment ranges from low-to-moderate.

Physical Requirements:
The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Ability to reach high and low; open, close and retrieve files from file cabinets as well as operate computer keyboard and appropriate office equipment.

Work Hours and Telework:
Standard office hours for Commission employees are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Our agency offers alternate schedules for employees if it does not adversely impact operations and service levels, and standard hours of operation are maintained. New employees in the Office of General Counsel must be in the office for the first six months of employment. Then, the Commission may allow telework based on the agency's approved Telework Plan. Alternate work schedules and telework may be discussed with the hiring manager during the interview process and are subject to management approval.

Applications Submitted Through Work in Texas:  Work In Texas (WIT) applicants must complete the CAPPS Recruit Prescreening Questionnaire to be considered for the posting. To complete the Prescreening Questionnaire, go to CAPPS Recruit to register or login: https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en

Remarks: 

There is one available position. 
Official transcripts, DD214 or DD1300, copies of license/certifications, or other minimum requirement validations will be requested at the time of the job offer.
Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.
Criminal background checks will be conducted on all final candidates. An applicant who has been convicted of a criminal offense relevant to the position may be disqualified from employment.

 the Railroad Commission of Texas only Accepts Online Applications for This Posting.  

Due to The High Volume of Applications We Do Not Accept Telephone Calls. only Candidates Selected for Interview Will Be Contacted.  Notifications to Applicants Are Sent Electronically to The Email Address You Provide.