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:
This attorney position will provide complex legal advice and support, interpret laws and regulations, prepare legal documents, manage pending litigation, and provide legal advice and counsel. Primary areas of responsibility are (1) support the agency's purchasing, procurement, contracting, and enforcement of contracts, (2) manage litigation and related matters, including cases that have been referred to the Office of the Attorney General, and (3) provide legal support to Information Technology Department. Works under general supervision, with responsibility for initiative and independent judgment, as well as collaboration with other staff. Will help attain Division performance goals and objectives. Reports to Assistant General Counsel.

Attorney III - Class Code: 3504 - B26 ($76,530 - $129,430)

Attorney IV – Class Code: 3505 – B28 ($92,600 – $156,612)

Job Duties:

Performs complex legal and transactional work related to the agency's purchasing, procurement, contracting, and enforcement of contracts.
Advises staff and management on legal matters related to procurement, purchasing and contract review.
Advises on issues and legal risks and proactively identifies risks and solutions for management consideration that are lawful, practical and ethical.
Prepares and reviews contract documents for legal sufficiency; advises contract managers and program staff on federal and state contract laws and regulations and issues in risk management of contracts; drafts legal documents used in contracting, procurement and enforcement.
Drafts, interprets, reviews and negotiates contracts and other legal documents, including information technology and vendor contracts, purchase requisitions, bid specifications, purchase orders, scopes of work and similar matters involving RRC programs.
May participate in development of requirements, specifications and contracts, including drafting and reviewing solicitation documents, participating in the review of responses to solicitations and advising on procurement-related concerns.
Participates in monitoring and evaluating contractor performance, assessing warranty claims, assessing potential breaches and handling of contract disputes including negotiation, termination and litigation.
Provides legal support for federal grant programs such as the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act Orphan Well Program, the Brownfields Program, and the Abandoned Minelands Program.
Advises Information Technology Department on data governance matters and other legal issues.
Manages litigation involving the Commission, including administrative appeals of contested cases, and liaises with the Office of the Attorney General on such matters.
Handles to subpoenas and represents agency staff in depositions/hearings as needed.
Reviews pending and enacted state and federal legislation.
Remains current on relevant laws and regulations.
Participates in development of contracting procedures, templates, forms and other guidance utilized by agency staff.
Provides training for staff as required.
Advises staff on legal matters and on the interpretation and application of state and federal laws and regulations.
Provides such other legal support as may be assigned from time to time.

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

Qualifications:
Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree and Juris Doctor degree earned from an accredited U.S. law school. Law school transcript must be included with application.
Licensed attorney in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.
Minimum 5 years' experience in practice of law in private practice and/or government. Experience handling state agency contract matters desired.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

Knowledge of Texas state agency procurement and contracting law and experience handling contract and procurement matters.
Experience handling claims, disputes and litigation.
Experience in analyzing and solving complex legal problems and interpreting state and federal laws and regulations.
Skill in legal research, writing, and analysis and in using good judgment to identify available courses of action.
Ability to manage a complex workload, and to prioritize workloads and meet applicable goals, objectives and performance metrics.
Ability to communicate complex legal ideas and instructions clearly and concisely.
Ability to take initiative and work independently.
Ability to work effectively on a team, with skill in establishing and maintaining effective and professional working relationships.
Ability to address issues or concerns in a respectful and professional manner.
Ability to maintain good working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to respond to high pressure situations and meet changing demands and timelines.
Proficient in the use of computer systems utilizing Microsoft Office Suite, Teams and database systems.
Possess excellent and effective organizational, communication and writing skills.

Miscellaneous Requirements:

Ability to work Monday-Friday, 8AM – 5PM with occasional flexible hours, overtime, weekends.
Position may require occasional overnight travel.

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.