Job Description

The Texas Department of Public Safety is seeking an attorney to represent the agency in administrative hearings and provide legal advice on a variety of regulatory programs. The selected candidate will gain immediate litigation experience handling all aspects of administrative cases from discovery and working with opposing counsel to examining witnesses in evidentiary hearings. The position is ideal for candidates who are interested in litigation while maintaining a work-life balance.

The department offers a close, collegial work environment with career advancement opportunities. Other benefits of the position include:

• Flexible work schedules,

• Hybrid telecommuting options,

• Comprehensive medical insurance with premiums paid at 100% for full time employees,

• Generous paid leave and holidays,

• Qualifying employment for purposes of Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program,

• Retirement pension, and

• Comprehensive wellness program

PLEASE NOTE: All applications must contain complete job histories, which includes job title, dates of employment, name of employer, supervisor's name and phone number and a description of duties performed. If this information is not submitted, your application may be rejected because it is incomplete. Resumes do not take the place of this required information.

SUBMITTED THROUGH WORK IN TEXAS: Work In Texas (WIT) applicants must complete the supplemental questions to be considered for the posting. In order to complete the supplemental questions please go to CAPPS Recruit to register or login and access your profile. Go to CAPPS Recruit to Sign In https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Performs highly complex (senior-level) attorney work. Work involves professional legal and

administrative work for the Office of Regulatory Counsel. Work involves providing legal advice and representation to

licensing and regulatory entities within the Department, including handgun licensing, private security, vehicle inspection,

and metals recycling regulatory programs. Work includes representing the agency in administrative hearings and

participating in the drafting of legislation and administrative rules. Work under limited supervision, with considerable latitude

for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

The following Military Occupational Specialty codes are generally applicable to this position.

https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_Legal.pdf

Applicants must fully complete the summary of experience to determine if minimum qualifications are met.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Researches, analyzes, and evaluates applications submitted under various regulatory schemes for which the
   
   Department is responsible.
2. Makes determinations and recommendations regarding applications based upon applicable statutes, rules and
   
   Department policy.
3. Drafts and files petitions and exhibits for administrative hearings under the applicable regulatory statutes. Schedules
   
   hearings in the appropriate justice of the peace court or the State Office of Administrative Hearings and obtains
   
   necessary documents for the hearings. Represents the Department at the hearings.
4. Drafts and files petitions and exhibits for appeals of administrative hearings at the County Court at Law, Court of
   
   Appeals, or Texas Supreme Court levels. Schedules hearings in the appropriate court and obtains necessary
   
   documents for the hearings. Represents the Department at the hearings.
5. Responds to telephone and written inquiries regarding the applicable regulatory statutes from legislators, county and
   
   district attorneys, employees in the Attorney General's office, judges, law enforcement agencies, Department
   
   employees, and the general public.
6. Interprets statutes and regulations related to regulatory programs and develops corresponding protocols, specifications
   
   and policies to guide actions of Department employees involved in those activities.
7. Assists in drafting legislation and monitoring pending legislation.
8. Drafts administrative rules related to the applicable regulatory statutes.
9. Identifies training needs, discusses program effectiveness with management and recommends changes within the
   
   programs to comply with applicable federal and state laws more efficiently.
10. Performs legal research and provides legal counsel to Department personnel regarding applicable regulatory issues
    
    affecting regulatory programs.
11. Travels throughout the state as required.
12. Attend work regularly and observe approved work hours in accordance with agency leave and attendance policies.
13. Performs related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS and REQUIREMENTS:

Education - Graduation from an accredited school of law with a L.L.B or J.D. is required.

Experience - Experience in the areas of legal research, trial and appellate procedures, Rules of Evidence, Rules of

Civil Procedure, Rules of Appellate Procedure, Administrative Law, Texas Penal Code, or general Texas law is required.

Licensure and/or Certification - Licensure by the State Bar of Texas is required. Must possess a valid driver license

from state of residence.

Regulatory Knowledge - Knowledge of the Texas Open Records Act, Administrative law, Rules of Civil Procedure,

Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rules of Evidence, Texas Penal Code or other general Texas laws.

Interpersonal Skills - Must demonstrate an ability to exercise poise, tact, diplomacy and an ability to establish and

maintain positive, working/professional relationships with internal/external customers.

Organizational and Prioritization Skills - Must be organized, flexible, and able to effectively prioritize in a multi-demand

and constantly changing environment; able to meet multiple and sometimes conflicting deadlines without

sacrificing accuracy, timeliness or professionalism.

Presentation/Communication Skills - Must be able to construct and deliver clear, concise, and professional

presentations to a variety of audiences and/or individuals.

Research and Comprehension - Knowledge of legal terminology, research methods and techniques, preparation and

use of legal documents, administrative and court procedures, law office practices and procedures, relevant laws, and

details of the English language as it applies to legal documents.

Analytical Reasoning/Attention to Detail - Must demonstrate an ability to examine data/information, discern

variations/similarities, and be able identify trends, relationships and causal factors, as well as grasp issues, draw

accurate conclusions, and solve problems.

Technology (computers/hardware/software/operating systems) - Must possess appropriate levels of proficiency with

utilized software and systems and be able to learn new software/systems. Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft

Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook). Ability to conduct Legal Research utilizing Westlaw/Lexis.

Confidentiality and Protected Information - Must demonstrate an ability to responsibly handle sensitive and

confidential information and situations, and adhere to applicable laws/statutes/policies related to access, maintenance

and dissemination of information.

Travel and/or Schedule - Availability for after-hour and weekend work, and travel as required to attend hearings.

PHYSICAL and/or ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS:

The physical and environmental demands described here are representative of those encountered and/or necessary for the

employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job; reasonable accommodations may be made to enable

individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Environment: Office;

• Ambulatory skills, e.g. stand, walk, sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch;

• Hand-eye coordination and arm/hand/finger dexterity;

• Ability to speak, hear, and exercise visual acuity;

• Ability to transfer weights of twenty (20) pounds anticipated for this position;

• Driving requirements: Moderate frequency twenty (20) percent.

State of Texas Benefits and Retirement Informationhttps://www.ers.texas.gov/

A DPS employee who is selected for a position in the same salary group and state title as their current position will be transferred with no salary change.

A DPS employee who is selected for a position in their current salary group with a new state title may receive an increase of no more than 3.4% over their current salary regardless of posted salary.

Salary is contingent upon qualifications and is subject to salary administration and budgetary restrictions.

DUE TO THE HIGH VOLUME OF APPLICATIONS WE DO NOT ACCEPT TELEPHONE CALLS. ONLY CANDIDATES SELECTED FOR INTERVIEW WILL BE CONTACTED.

State of Texas retirees may be rehired for full-time, non-commissioned positions only under very specific circumstances.