Job Description
ASSISTANT GENERAL COUNSEL
Salary Information: $6,500.00 - $7,245.00/MO - B26
State Classification: Attorney III - 3504
FLSA Status: Exempt
Posting Number: 24-58123-6R
Location: Austin, TX
HOW TO APPLY
Apply online at via CAPPS . Applicants applying in WIT must complete the supplemental questions to be considered for the position. To complete the supplemental questions, go to CAPPS Recruit: https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en.
WHO ARE WE
The Texas Department of Agriculture's Legal Services Division provides legal counsel to TDA executive staff, divisions and programs, and a variety of boards and advisory committees.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
The Assistant General Counsel will provide advanced legal services for the Trade and Business Development Division's Office of Rural Affairs, State Office of Rural Health, and Grants Office of the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) including supporting the Community Development Block Grant Program, rural health grant programs, Texas Agricultural Finance Authority, agricultural grant programs and other federally and state funded rural economic development grant programs and related boards and committees. You will provide legal advice to TDA staff administering the programs; drafting and/or reviewing correspondence, solicitation requests, contracts, program guides, and rules; and implementing legislation regarding the programs. You will work under minimal supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Provide legal support for the Trade and Business Development Division's Office of Rural Affairs, State Office of Rural Health, Texas Agricultural Finance Authority, and Grants Office, as assigned, to include: providing legal advice to TDA staff administering federally and state funded rural community and economic development and rural health programs; drafting and/or reviewing correspondence, solicitations such as requests for proposals, qualifications, or grant applications, contracts, grant agreements and amendments, program implementation manuals, program application guides, and rules; and implementing legislation regarding the programs.
Research and provide legal analysis on state and federal laws and regulations.
Review contract performance issues, findings of noncompliance and breach of contract issues, and provide legal support and advice to programs on such matters.
Attend various advisory committee and board meetings and provide legal support to program committees and boards.
Research and draft legal memoranda on issues for programs and TDA executive staff.
Attend program staff meetings, including briefings on grant awards and issues related to program implementation, and provide legal support to programs on such matters.
Serve as a staff attorney providing program support in the area of administrative law, including agency rulemaking, public information requests and compliance with open meetings.
Serve, as needed, as one of the agency's liaisons with the Office of the Attorney General regarding litigation involving the agency, to include preparing subpoenas, records and documents for civil litigation and assist in preparing cases for court trial and assist in representing the agency in matters before court, as appropriate.
Serve as counsel for programs in administrative hearings, including drafting briefs, preparing witnesses for testimony, and representing TDA at the hearings.
Follow all TDA safety guidelines/procedures and ethics requirements.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
J.D. or LL. B. Degree from an accredited four-year college or university with a license to practice law in the State of Texas.
5 years of work experience working as a licensed attorney.
Recent work experience in contracts and administrative law.
Work experience performing legal research and preparing legal memoranda and documents.
Experience making presentations to groups.
PREFERRED
Experience working with federal and/or state grant programs.
Experience working as an attorney in a governmental entity in Texas.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
Knowledge of legal principles, practices, and proceedings.
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, orally and in writing; exercise sound judgment and discretion; and to maintain the highest level of confidentiality.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS
Normal office work environment and may have exposure to dust and environmental allergens consistent with normal business activities and human contact. Mostly sedentary in nature but may involve walking; standing; pulling and pushing; kneeling, stooping and bending; performing tasks requiring fine motor skills and coordination; and safely lifting and carrying items weighing up to 30 pounds. Must be able work extended periods at a computer, and may require working extended hours and some evenings and weekends, as needed. May involve travel, up to 10 %* of the work period, and some occasionally overnight.
BENEFITS
The State of Texas offers a variety of benefits for you and your family that are comprehensive and, on average, make up about one-third of total compensation. Benefits include:
Retirement Plan
Paid Group Health & Basic Life Insurance for employees
Paid Holidays
Paid Vacation Leave
Paid Sick Leave
Longevity Pay
Dental
Vision
Dependent Optional Life Insurance
Voluntary AD&D Insurance
Dependent Health & Life Insurance
Health & Dependent care flexible spending accounts
A skills exercise may be conducted for interview purposes. Only candidates selected for a skills exercise/interview will be contacted.
Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls. If you submitted your application through the CAPPS Career Center, you may also check the status of your application by accessing your profile and selecting My Jobpage and selecting My Submissions.
*A valid government-issued driver's license, which is recognized by the Texas Department of Public Safety and in good standing, and an acceptable driving record are required. TDA will verify this information with the Texas Department of Public Safety. Applicants with a driver's license not issued by the State of Texas should obtain and be prepared to provide a copy of their current driving record on or before their first day
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO): The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (gender, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, disability, age, military status, genetic information or protected activity (retaliation). TDA provides accommodations for persons with disabilities in accordance with the American with Disabilities Act. If you need help with the employment process or require other accommodations, please contact the Human Resources office for assistance at (512) 463-7423.
TDA participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security, with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.
Veterans and Former Foster Child Employment Preference: TDA complies with the provisions of the veterans and former foster child employment preference acts. Please contact our Human Resources-Veterans Liaison at (512) 463-7454 for assistance.
Go to https://texasskillstowork.com/, https://www.onetonline.org/, or http://www.careeronestop.org/ for assistance translating your military experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications/requirements, and skill sets.
Additional Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Code or Crosswalk information is available from the Texas State Auditor's Office at Legal MOS Codes.