OAG - Legal Strategy | Research Specialist II - II

Please paste the following URL into a browser to view the entire job posting on the CAPPS Careers page.https://erphcmprd.cpa.texas.gov/psp/candidateportal/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FLandAction=UandFOCUS=ApplicantandSiteId=1andJobOpeningId=102082andPostingSeq=1Job DescriptionGENERAL DESCRIPTIONThe Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Legal Strategy Research Specialist. This person will work for the Legal Strategy Division, whose mission is to identify, plan, staff, and execute the Agency's most consequential lawsuits and legal initiatives. This is an entry-level or junior-level executive staff position, but a candidate must nevertheless have demonstrated commitment to the Agency's mission of championing liberty and justice and the Agency's philosophy of liberty, limited government, and personal responsibility. Responsibilities will include conducting research; carrying out day-to-day assignments from the Division Chief for Legal Strategy and Deputy Attorney General for Legal Strategy; advising the Division Chief and Deputy on legal and policy opportunities consistent with the Agency's mission and philosophy; understanding, distilling, and communicating news and current events at the local, state, and federal level that are relevant to the Agency; and assisting the Division Chief for Legal Strategy and his Special Counsel on administrative matters.The OAG is a dynamic state agency with over 4,000 employees throughout the State of Texas. As the State's law firm, the OAG provides exemplary legal representation in diverse areas of law. OAG employees enjoy excellent benefits (https://ers.texas.gov/Benefits-at-a-Glance) along with tremendous opportunities to do important work at a large, dynamic state agency making a positive difference in the lives of Texans.ESSENTIAL POSITION FUNCTIONSConducts, plans, develops, coordinates, and administers research projects for the Attorney General, Deputy AG for Legal Strategy, and/or Division Chief of Legal Strategy regarding high-level matters and initiatives.Performs highly advanced professional administrative and policy research work, including overseeing, planning, and directing organizational studies of issues affecting the OAGDevelops solutions to highly complex organizational issues and concernsDevelops organizational change strategies and plans, advising management by identifying priorities and defining parametersInterprets historical, current, and projected data to identify problems, causes, and areas for which procedural or system changes are indicatedCollects, compiles, and analyzes research dataEvaluates agency functions and activities being considered for conversion to contract operationsEvaluates industry developments and makes recommendations for possible agency applicationAnalyzes data sets using statistical methods and relational databasesPrepares reports of research findings, researching data sets, documents data structure, and definitionsConsults on research design, planning, instrumentation, statistical analysis, and reportingWrites, edits, and reviews technical reports and summaries of findingsAssists in conducting data quality assurance proceduresDevelops policies and procedures used in conducting and administering research, demonstration, and evaluation activitiesAssists in planning, developing, coordinating, and administering research projectsPrepares research budget estimates, maintains cost accounting records of project expenditures, and prepares monthly budget reportsMay assist in the development of computer programs for research applicationsMay prepare and conduct presentationsMay provide guidance to othersPerforms related work as assignedMaintains relevant knowledge necessary to perform essential job functionsAttends work regularly in compliance with agreed-upon work scheduleEnsures security and confidentiality of sensitive and/or protected informationComplies with all agenc policies and procedures, including those pertaining to ethics and integrityMINIMUM QUALIFICATIONSResearch Specialist II:Education: Graduation from high school or equivalentEducation: Ninety credit hours from an accredited college or university; experience in the following (or closely related) fields may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis: research and planning work, business or public administration, computer science, statistical analysis, research methodologySkill in conducting qualitative and quantitative researchSkill in handling multiple tasks, prioritizing, and meeting deadlinesSkill in effective oral and written communicationSkill in exercising sound judgment and effective decision makingAbility to plan, organize, and administer research projects; to evaluate research data; to ensure the development of measuring instruments with respect to reliability, relevance, and validity; to interpret and publish research findings; to communicate effectively; and to provide guidance to others Ability to receive and respond positively to constructive feedback Ability to work cooperatively with others in a professional office environmentAbility to provide excellent customer serviceAbility to work in person at assigned OAG work location, perform all assigned tasks at designated OAG work space within OAG work location, and perform in-person work with coworkers (e.g., collaborating, training, mentoring) for the entirety of every work week (unless on approved leave)Ability to arrange for personal transportation for business-related travelAbility to work more than 40 hours as needed and in compliance with the FLSAAbility to lift and relocate 30 lbs.Ability to travel (including overnight travel) up to 5% Research Specialist III: All of the above qualifications for a Research Specialist II, PLUS:Education: Thirty additional credit hours from an accredited college or university; experience in the following (or closely related) fields may be substit