SOS General Counsel II (JP24-105)

Job Description

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Office of the Secretary of State (Agency) seeks an Assistant General Counsel (General Counsel II) to perform complex (journey-level) legal work in the Agency's Executive Division. The Assistant General Counsel would serve a critical role in rendering legal advice and strategic guidance on multiple Agency functions, including elections, business entity filings, professional registrations, notaries public, and international relations. The Assistant General Counsel is expected to provide legal advice on the Agency's administrative rules, public information requests, procurement and contracting matters, legislative and intergovernmental affairs, employment issues and other human resources-related questions, and ethics inquiries. The position would operate in a fast-moving environment involving a wide range of projects across the Agency, often with competing objectives, varying levels of complexity, and multiple types of work product. The Assistant General Counsel thus needs to have the requisite skill and ability to effectively handle multiple work assignments at any given time and adjust appropriately to unexpected changes in those assignments. The Assistant General Counsel would communicate and collaborate with staff throughout the Agency and operate under general supervision, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED

• Assist the Agency's General Counsel in directing and planning legal activities for the Agency.

• Review and draft administrative rules, and consult with Agency staff regarding the development of new rules and revisions to existing rules.

• Process public information requests, including drafting responses to requestors, preparing requests for open records rulings, and reviewing agency records to fulfill requests.

• Draft and advise on Agency policies and procedures, reports, strategic plans, and other documents related to Agency operations.

• Prepare orders and determination letters for Agency actions such as the revocation of notary public commissions, denial of notary public applications, trademark applications, and administrative actions involving professional registrations.

• Provide legal support in the development and drafting of procurements and in the negotiation, management, and implementation of contracts, including legal advice pertaining to the Agency's ongoing modernization efforts.

• Provide legal advice to Agency management on employment issues, personnel actions, and other human resources-related matters.

• Collaborate with the Agency's Elections Division to develop guidance documents, training materials, forms, and other resources for Texas election authorities.

• Provide legal advice on responses to inquiries from the general public, legislative offices and other governmental bodies, and the news media regarding the Agency's operations.

• Advise Agency management and staff on the interpretation and application of laws and regulations, and provide updates regarding legal developments arising from the adoption of new federal or state laws, the implementation of administrative regulations, or ongoing litigation involving the Agency.

• Coordinate with the Agency's General Counsel to manage the civil litigation brought by or against the Agency, including reviewing draft filings, assisting with discovery requests, and communicating with assigned Office of the Attorney General attorneys about case strategies.

• Provide legal advice to the Secretary of State in connection with the Secretary's role as Chief International Protocol Officer, Border Commerce Coordinator, and chair of the Border Trade Advisory Committee.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

GENERAL QUALIFICATION GUIDELINES

Experience and Education

Experience in legal work. Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (JD) degree. Member in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of legal principles, practices, and procedures; relevant state and federal laws and regulations; and administrative rules and regulations impacting the Agency.

• Skill in identifying problems and reviewing information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions; using legal reasoning and logic to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems; and reconciling differences.

• Skill in examining and analyzing complex legal situations and translating the information into concise, understandable advice in a manner that can be acted upon by Agency management and staff.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Skill in providing legal advice to, and collaborating with, individuals across multiple divisions, departments, or functions of an agency or company.

• Demonstrated ability to prepare legal documents; develop and prepare policies and procedures; conduct legal research; and evaluate, interpret, and apply statutes, rules, policies, and procedures.

• Ability to provide legal advice in a clear, confident, and professional manner on a wide range of issues affecting a state agency or company.

• Ability to train, coordinate, and lead the work of others.

• Ability to exercise sound judgment in providing advice and making critical decisions.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, operate independently on assignments with limited supervision at times, and effectively manage competing objectives to achieve results.

• Ability to prioritize time and adapt successfully to unexpected changes in the scope or timing of work assignments.

Registration, Certification, or Licensure

Must be licensed as an attorney by the State Bar of Texas.

Information for Veterans, Reservists, or Guardsmen

The following MOS codes are generally applicable to this position: 15P, 36B, 42A, 56M, 68J, 88H, 88N, 89A, 89B, 92A, 92Y, AZ, LS, MC, PS, RP, SN, YN, 641X, 741X, 360, 018, 0100, 0111, 6046, 0102, 0170, 4430, 3A1X1, 8A200. Please include any of these codes in the State of Texas application to better determine whether the minimum qualifications for this posting have been met.



Qualifications:

GENERAL QUALIFICATION GUIDELINES

Experience and Education

Experience in legal work. Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (JD) degree. Member in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of legal principles, practices, and procedures; relevant state and federal laws and regulations; and administrative rules and regulations impacting the Agency.

• Skill in identifying problems and reviewing information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions; using legal reasoning and logic to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems; and reconciling differences.

• Skill in examining and analyzing complex legal situations and translating the information into concise, understandable advice in a manner that can be acted upon by Agency management and staff.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Skill in providing legal advice to, and collaborating with, individuals across multiple divisions, departments, or functions of an agency or company.

• Demonstrated ability to prepare legal documents; develop and prepare policies and procedures; conduct legal research; and evaluate, interpret, and apply statutes, rules, policies, and procedures.

• Ability to provide legal advice in a clear, confident, and professional manner on a wide range of issues affecting a state agency or company.

• Ability to train, coordinate, and lead the work of others.

• Ability to exercise sound judgment in providing advice and making critical decisions.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, operate independently on assignments with limited supervision at times, and effectively manage competing objectives to achieve results.

• Ability to prioritize time and adapt successfully to unexpected changes in the scope or timing of work assignments.

Registration, Certification, or Licensure

Must be licensed as an attorney by the State Bar of Texas.