Closing Date: 12th April, 2027

Description:

Brief Job Description:
Performs highly complex, senior-level legal work. Work involves overseeing and planning legal activities, preparing legal documents, participating in hearings, interpreting laws and regulations, and rendering legal advice and counsel. May supervise the work of others. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Plans and organizes legal activities: Manages the legal workload to ensure deadlines are met to ensure successful outcomes for the agency. Interacts routinely with caseworkers, supervisors, program directors, and program administrators; agency attorneys, county and district attorneys, assistant attorney generals, and opposing counsel; judges, agency clients, witnesses, community professionals, and expert witnesses; and protective services clients and the general public regarding legal activities.
Coordinates the preparation of legal opinions, briefs, contracts, proposals, and reports: Prepares or supervises the preparation of legal opinions, briefs, contracts, notices, memoranda, reports, and other documents. Researches legal concepts, case law, judicial opinions, statutes, regulations on issues of concern and implication to DFPS, and drafts formal and informal memos for DFPS programs and executive management staff. Coordinates and responds to open records requests. Monitors changes in state and federal court cases, and rules.
Participates in administrative, regulatory, evidentiary, and enforcement hearings: Represents the agency in matters before a court or in administrative hearings as appropriate such as before the Texas Workforce Commission. Prepares cases for court trial, schedules hearings, interrogates witnesses, and prepares pleadings. Coordinates specialized legal efforts with appropriate experts. Handles formal and informal administrative appeals. May draft fair hearing orders for adoption assistance and permanency care assistance denials. May draft legal sufficiency reviews for investigation findings that are appealed. Advises staff and the public on legal matters and on the interpretation and application of agency regulations and state and federal laws: Provides expertise and instruction in family law, civil litigation, governmental and other state and federal laws, regulations, and agency policy to staff and public. Provides consultation and advice concerning case specific questions and general issues of concern to DFPS programs and divisions. Consults on legal risks and liabilities on agency proposed actions and advises on ways to mitigate legal risks.
Advises outside, county and district attorneys on legal matters. Advises staff and the public on legal matters and on the interpretation and application of agency regulations and state and federal laws. Provides legal training to agency staff and the legal community on the interpretation and application of agency regulations and state and federal laws. Conducts presentations and provides information and testimony to agency leadership, legislative committees, state and federal agencies, and other groups and organizations on all matters that the agency may request information or on issues that external entities have expressed concerns related to agency actions. Provides legal assistance on adverse actions.
Enforces agency regulatory provisions and prosecutes violations: Enforces agency regulatory provisions and prosecutes violations for agency programs.
Reviews drafts of laws, rules, and regulations affecting agency operations: Drafts and reviews Memoranda of Understanding, policies and procedures, rules, and notices for the CPS program and other agency programs as needed. Monitors changes in state and federal agency rules. Provides general support to DFPS programs in their activities to ensure compliance with applicable laws.
Schedules hearings, interrogates witnesses, and prepares decisions on administrative appeals of decisions and rulings: Represents the agency in matters before a court or in administrative hearings as appropriate. Handles formal and informal administrative appeals.
Prepares cases for court trial and represents the agency in matters before a court as appropriate: Prepares documents required for cases, including briefs and other court documents. Monitors the progress of all DFPS cases within the assigned area of responsibility and takes appropriate measures to ensure the timely and appropriate resolution of those cases. Prepares and reviews exhibits and discovery, summarizing materials.
Assists in formulating, coordinating, and establishing policies and procedures: Consults with management concerning legal ramifications of possible changes in overall practices and procedures.
May assist in preparing and responding to subpoenas requiring the appearance of witnesses, records, and documents for hearings and civil litigations: Assists in preparing subpoenas requiring the appearance of witnesses, records, and documents for hearings and civil litigation for agency programs.
May draft memoranda on regulatory matters and administrative rules for the Texas Register: May draft memoranda and follow the draft rules through the process for publication in the Texas Register and adoption in the Texas Administrative Code.
May research, draft, or assist in drafting bills and amendments for legislative consideration: Drafts, reviews, and analyzes state and federal legislation that impacts the agency. Determines when legislative initiatives are required for statutory changes to help the agency programs effectively carry out their duties through review of gaps in policy or the law. Assists DFPS program staff in understanding the impact of the bill and actions the agency will need to take if the bill passes to ensure compliance with the law and to make sure staff are meeting required statutory timeframes. Provide timely and expert resource assistance to DFPS government relations staff and the legal legislative coordinator. May respond to questions from the state legislative offices concerning existing law, potential statutory changes, and current program policies and procedures. May testify and serve as a resource witness during legislative hearings when needed.
May serve as a liaison with complainants to be represented in an administrative hearing or with their authorized representatives: May represent the agency in administrative hearings including before the Texas Workforce Commission.
May supervise work of others.
Performs related work as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):
Knowledge of legal principles, practices, proceedings, state and federal laws, rules, regulations, and agency administrative rules and regulations.

Skill in legal research, writing, and analysis; in the use of a computer and applicable software; in using reasoning and logic; in identifying and solving complex problems; in prioritizing workloads; and in using judgment to identify courses of action.

Ability to conduct hearings, to prepare opinions and briefs, to prepare cases for trial, to conduct research, to summarize findings, to interpret and apply laws, to use legal reference materials, to communicate effectively, and to supervise the work of others. Ability to synthesize law, administrative rules, agency policies and goals, and best practice recommendations to reach an appropriate interpretation.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:
Must be licensed as an attorney by the State of Texas.

Initial Screening Criteria:
Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (JD) degree. Member in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.

Two years' experience in the practice of law.

Experience in Legal Work.

Preferred Criteria: Experience related to employment law, open records and litigation.