MISSION: The Texas Education Agency (TEA) will improve outcomes for all public-school students in the state by providing leadership, guidance, and support to school systems.

Core Values:
We are Determined: We are committed and intentional in the pursuit of our main purpose, to improve outcomes for students.
We are People-Centered: We strive to attract, develop, and retain the most committed talent, representing the diversity of Texas, each contributing to our common vision for students.
We are Learners: We seek evidence, reflect on success and failure, and try new approaches in the pursuit of excellence for our students.
We are Servant Leaders: Above all else, we are public servants working to improve opportunities for students and provide support to those who serve them.

Position Overview: The Associate Attorney manages agency complaint, investigation, and enforcement actions, interprets the law, develops rules, and provides legal advice related to investigations, monitoring, academic and financial accountability ratings, accreditation, and/or defending enforcement actions in court proceedings. The position provides comprehensive legal support to the Office of Complaints, Investigations, and Enforcement, including support for the agency's complaints management program and Special Investigations Unit. The Associate Attorney conducts depositions and hearings under the Administrative Procedures Act (APA) before the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) throughout the state, if a school district challenges the findings of an agency report. This position works under limited direction, with extensive latitude for initiative and independent judgment, and coordinates with and reports to the Deputy General Counsel.

Flexible work location within the state of Texas may be considered for qualified candidates.

Please note that a resume, tailored cover letter, and short answer responses are required attachments for applying to this position. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicants who are strongly being considered for employment must submit to a national criminal history background check.

Essential Functions
1. Legal Support: Provides legal support and counsel to the agency's complaints management and special investigations programs, including advising on policies and procedures, review and resolution of complaints, jurisdictional reviews, and all aspects of conducting investigations into district and charter schools. Provides legal guidance and support on policies and procedures. Advises agency staff regarding the agency's complaints process and investigation process relating to districts and charter schools.
2. Governance and Charter-Related Investigations, Reviews, and Functions: Reviews agency staff investigations, related reports and correspondence, jurisdictional memos, and complaints correspondence. Interprets laws and regulations relating to the functions of supported agency divisions and renders legal advice and counsel. Issues subpoenas and takes depositions to support agency investigations.
3. Hearings and Cases: Takes depositions; analyzes, drafts, and files motions; and conducts contested case proceedings pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act (APA) before the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) throughout the state. Provides support to the Attorney General in defense of appeals of determinations affecting the agency made by the SOAH. Supports the Attorney General’s defense of the agency in any other litigation.

As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age or veteran status, unless an applicant is entitled to the military employment preference.

To review the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces to each job classification series in the State’s Position Classification Plan (provided by the State Auditor's Office), please access the Military Crosswalk (occupational specialty code) Guide and click on the military “occupational category” that corresponds with the state classification in this job posting title.

This position requires the applicant to meet Agency standards and criteria which may include passing a pre-employment criminal background check, prior to being offered employment by the Agency.

No phone calls or emails, please. Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls and cannot reply to all email inquiries. Only candidates selected for interview will be contacted.