Special Projects & Training Attorney IV

Coordinates and advises on the preparation of legal opinions, briefs, contracts, proposals, and reports.

• Advises Agency leadership, Contract Management, Programmatic, and Internal Audit staff on federal and state laws and regulations. Consults with management concerning legal ramifications of possible changes in overall practices and procedures.
• Coordinates and advises staff and the public on legal matters and on the interpretation and application of agency regulations and state and federal laws.

Coordinates, formulates, and establishes policies and procedures.

• Reviews and advice on the development of agency policies and procedures.
• Provides legal advice regarding enforcement policy. Provides legal assistance on adverse actions.

Coordinates and advises on administrative, regulatory, evidentiary, and enforcement hearings.

• Drafts substantive legal documents, including opinions, briefs, and memoranda that include analyses of agency authority under state and federal law.
• Coordinates materials for potential litigation matters in coordination with the Office of the Attorney General, as necessary.
• Represents the agency in contract negotiations and disputes, including protests and contract-related claims, as well as other matters as requested by agency management.
• Serves as liaison between agency and agency's legal counsel in administrative or contested case hearings.
• Represents agency in state district, county and child protection courts.

Supports agency compliance with statutory provisions.

• Analyzes agency compliance with state agency reporting requirements, records management requirements, open government requirements, or other statutory requirements.
• Prepares agency training materials and presents to internal and external stakeholders.
• Reviews drafts of laws, rules, and regulations affecting agency operations; and bills or amendments for legislative consideration.
• Drafts and reviews legal instruments and regulations in accordance with the agency's legal authority and with state and federal laws and regulations relating to contracts and contract management.
• Drafts and analyzes state and federal legislation.

May supervise the work of DFPS attorneys within office of General Counsel.
Performs related work as assigned.

Registration, Licensure Requirement or Certification:
Holds a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.

Licensed to practice law in the State of Texas.

Member in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of fundamentals of contract law, government law, and Texas state agency contracts.
• Knowledge in reviewing, developing, negotiating and management of contracts and grants.
• Knowledge of legal principles, practices, and proceedings.
• Knowledge of federal and state statutes, regulations, and policies affecting DFPS programs.
• Knowledge of Texas procurement and contracting laws.
• Skill in efficient legal research including use of Westlaw and other internet legal research.
• Skill in interpreting statutes and reviewing, understanding, and explaining the meaning and impact of pending legislation.
• Skilled in conducting research, to summarize findings, and to use legal reference materials.
• Skilled in foreseeing legal implications of contract terms and procurement and contract actions and advice accordingly.
• Skilled in exceptional oral and written communication skills to a wide range of audiences.
• Skilled in identifying relevant legal issues.
• Skill in organizing and expressing complex legal problems clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
• Skilled in preparing opinions, contracts, rules, and policies and procedures.
• Skill in preparing high-quality, complex procurement, and contractual documents.
• Skill in identifying problems, evaluating alternatives, and implementing solutions.
• Skill in demonstrating sound judgment and reasonable tolerance of ambiguity in the performance of job duties.
• Skill in working collaboratively and cooperatively with clients, other government officers and employees, and stakeholder groups.
• Skilled in operating a personal computer and other basic office equipment.
• Skilled in articulating legal concepts to management and other stakeholders.
• Skilled in providing legal representation in administrative or contested case hearings.
• Skilled in courtroom advocacy
• Ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to utilize legal experience and training to assist in developing policies and training to safeguard federal funds flowing to agency, minimize liability and avoid risk to clients.
• Ability to analyze moderately complex to advanced factual and legal issues related to a wide variety of federal and state laws.
• Ability to organize and manage in a timely fashion multiple tasks of varying priorities and to make efficient use of time and resources.
• Ability to think creatively and apply clear, logical problem-solving techniques.
• Ability to maintain professional and collegial relations with all levels of management and staff at the DFPS, as well as with other agencies' management and staff and the public.

Initial Screening Criteria:
Five years of experience in the practice of civil law and civil litigation.

Experience as an attorney for parent or child, or as a juvenile defender, or experience in representing DFPS in either CPS or APS cases.

Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC. (https://ng.accesshr.hhsc.state.tx.us/user_guides/documents/Tips%20for%20Success%20When%20Applying%20at%20DFPS_%20DSHS_%20and%20HHSC.pdf)

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor's Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions (https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions/). You may also contact the DFPS Military Liaison at dfpsmilvets@dfps.texas.gov with additional questions.

Applicants selected for hire must pass a background check and if applicable a driver's record check.

State of Texas employees are required to maintain the security and integrity of critical infrastructure as defined in Section 117.001(2), State of Texas Business and Commerce Code. Applicants selected for hire comply with this code by completing related training and abiding by agency cybersecurity and communications system usage policies.

As a state agency, DFPS is required by Texas Administrative Code (TAC 206 and 213) (https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.ViewTAC?tac_view=4&ti=1&pt=10&ch=213)  to ensure all Electronic Information Resources (EIR) follow accessibility standards. The staff must be familiar with the WCAG 2.1 AA and Section 508 to create accessible content including but not limited to; Microsoft Office documents, Adobe PDFs, webpages, software, training guides, video, and audio files.

DFPS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Employees must provide documentation to DFPS to show their identity and authorization to work in the US. Please review the following link for authorized documents: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents .

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS/DFPS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS/DFPS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.