General Counsel I - Compliance - Office of the General Counsel - Huntsville/Austin (017156)

I. JOB SUMMARY

Performs moderately complex legal work. Work involves interpreting laws, rules, and regulations; preparing legal documents; rendering legal advice and counsel; consulting with attorneys; assisting in preparing cases for trial; assisting in drafting and negotiating contracts; and drafting bills for legislative consideration. Works under general supervision with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

II. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

A. Reviews and responds to requests for information under the Texas Public Information Act; and coordinates with the Office of the Attorney General as needed.

B. Reviews, tracks, and responds to third-party subpoenas and discovery request for agency records.

C. Provides legal guidance on employment and personnel matters to include Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) complaints and investigations, disability accommodation requests and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Rehabilitation Act, and employee disciplinary actions and dismissal reviews for legal sufficiency; and investigates and prepares responses to civil rights complaints and inquiries to include those from the U.S. Department of Justice, protection and advocacy organizations, and public interest groups.

D. Conducts legal research, drafts memoranda, and prepares clear, persuasive written responses; and advises agency divisions on transactional and contractual matters, including routine and complex agreements, interagency memoranda, and cooperative arrangements.

E. Coordinates with divisions, correctional units, and regional offices to ensure timely and consistent responses to external and internal legal matters; and prepares case summaries, reports, and policy recommendations for the General Counsel and executive leadership.

F. Provides training and guidance to agency staff regarding legal compliance, confidentiality, and record management.

• Performs a variety of marginal duties not listed, to be determined and assigned as needed.

III. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

A. Education, Experience, and Training

1. Graduation from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree.

2. Two years full-time, wage-earning experience as a licensed attorney.

3. Experience in administrative law, employment law, public information, or government practice preferred.

4. Must maintain a current active license to practice law in the State of Texas during employment with Texas Department of Criminal Justice through the State Bar of Texas.

B. Knowledge and Skills

1. Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and rules of civil procedure, constitutional law principles, and other regulations affecting the Texas Department of Criminal Justice agency operations.

2. Knowledge of legal principles and practices of litigation program administration and management.

3. Knowledge of legal research methods, discovery processes, and litigation support practices.

4. Knowledge of Texas Public Information Act, employment law, and civil rights statutes.

5. Knowledge of agency and departmental organizational structure, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations preferred.

6. Skill to communicate ideas and instructions clearly and concisely.

7. Skill to coordinate with other staff, departments, officials, agencies, organizations, and the public.

8. Skill in administrative problem-solving techniques.

9. Skill in public address.

10. Skill to analyze and solve legal problems and interpret laws and regulations affecting the agency.

11. Skill to review and evaluate the impact of procedures, statutes, rules, regulations, policies, judgments, and litigation on the agency.

12. Skill in organizing and presenting complex factual and legal information.

13. Skill in drafting clear, concise, and persuasive legal documents.

14. Skill to manage multiple priorities and meet strict deadlines.

15. Skill to exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.

16. Skill to exercise strong interpersonal and teamwork skills to collaborate effectively with OGC's legal staff on case preparation and litigation tasks.

IV. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS WITH OR WITHOUT REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

A. Ability to walk, stand, sit, kneel, push, stoop, reach above the shoulder, grasp, pull, bend repeatedly, climb stairs, identify colors, hear with aid, see, write, count, read, speak, analyze, alphabetize, lift and carry under 15 lbs., perceive depth, operate a motor vehicle, and operate motor equipment.

B. Conditions include working inside, working around machines with moving parts and moving objects, radiant and electrical energy, working closely with others, working alone, working protracted or irregular hours, and traveling by car, van, bus, and airplane.

C. Equipment (machines, tools, devices) used in performing only the essential functions include computer and related equipment, calculator, copier, fax machine, telephone, dolly, and automobile.