Job Description

ASSISTANT GENERAL COUNSEL

Salary Information: B26, $8,200.00 - $8,700.00/MO.

State Classification: Attorney III - 3504

FLSA Status: Exempt

Posting Number: 24-57931-5R

Location: Austin, TX

HOW TO APPLY

Apply online at via CAPPS. Applicants applying in WIT must complete the supplemental questions to be considered for the position. To complete the supplemental questions, go to CAPPS Recruit: https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en.

WHO ARE WE

The Texas Department of Agriculture's Legal Services Division Food and Nutrition Section provides legal counsel to the Food and Nutrition Division, including representing the agency in administrative hearings arising from the child nutrition programs administered by TDA .

WHAT YOU'LL DO

The Assistant General Counsel wilil perform highly complex legal work for the Food and Nutrition (F&N) Division of the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) and on special projects. You will be responsible for contract review and providing legal support to F&N in the areas of contracts and grants, including review of bids and contracts of food service management companies; researching and analyzing federal rules relating to the administration of TDA's Child Nutrition programs; interpreting laws and regulations; assisting the division in implementing legislation regarding its programs; and handling appeals of adverse actions taken by the program. You will work under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide legal support for the F&N Division (Division), as assigned, to include: rendering legal advice and counsel to TDA staff; drafting and/or reviewing Division correspondence, policy alerts, and rules; attending F&N staff meetings, including briefings on potential program adverse actions; and provide legal support to F&N on such matters and assisting the Division in carrying out legislation regarding federal child nutrition programs, including new grant programs.

Draft and review Division contracts, including memoranda of understanding and interagency and interlocal agreements; procurement-related documents; and grant agreements.

Enforce federal child nutrition program requirements and prosecute violations, including representing the agency in administrative hearings and drafting motions, briefs and other legal documents.

Research and draft legal memoranda on issues for TDA's Executive staff.

Assist Division with collection of funds and serve as the agency liaison with the Office of the Texas Attorney General (OAG), to include assisting with Division collection referrals and providing litigation support to OAG representatives assigned to represent TDA's federal child nutrition programs. May involve working with outside counsel.

Provide support in the area of rulemaking, public information and other open government issues.

Prepare and provide training to TDA staff and industry related groups.

Follow all TDA policies and procedures.

Perform other duties as assigned.



Qualifications:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THE POSITION

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university and an accredited law school with a L.L.B. or J.D. degree, and a license to practice law in the State of Texas.

Four (4) years' work experience as a licensed attorney drafting, editing and reviewing contracts and/or procurement documents and/or interagency agreements.

Work experience preparing cases for trial or administrative hearings.

Experience making presentations to groups.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Knowledge of state or local government, including laws affecting state or local agencies, policies and procedures and of legal principles, practices and proceedings.

Skill in legal research, writing and analysis; applying reason and logic; identifying complex problems; prioritizing workloads; using judgment to identify course of action; providing excellent customer service to both internal and external customers; conducting presentations to individuals and groups; operating a personal computer with applicable software.

Ability to plan and organize work and to advise on hearings; communicate effectively, orally and in writing; maintain strict adherence toto ethical and professional obligations of an attorney; manage a large and varied caseload; understand, interpret, write and implement department policies and procedures; exercise sound judgment and discretion and to maintain the highest level of confidentiality.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS

This position will work in a normal office work environment and may have exposure to dust and environmental allergens consistent with normal business activities and human contact. Mostly sedentary in nature but may involve walking; standing; pulling and pushing; kneeling, stooping and bending; performing tasks requiring fine motor skills and coordination; and safely lifting and carrying items weighing up to 30 pounds. Must be able to work extended periods at a computer and may require working extended hours and some evenings and weekends, as needed. May involve travel (up to 15%* of the work period), occasionally overnight.

BENEFITS

The State of Texas offers a variety of benefits for you and your family that are comprehensive and, on average, make up about one-third of total compensation. Benefits include:

ü Retirement Plan

ü Paid Group Health & Life Insurance for employees

ü Paid Holidays

ü Paid Vacation Leave

ü Paid Sick Leave

ü Longevity Pay

ü Dental

ü Vision

ü Dependent Optional Life Insurance

ü Voluntary AD&D Insurance

ü Dependent Health & Life Insurance

ü Health & Dependent care flexible spending accounts

A skills exercise may be conducted for interview purposes. Only candidates selected for a skills exercise/interview will be contacted.

Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls. If you submitted your application through the CAPPS Career Center, you may also check the status of your application by accessing your profile and selecting My Jobpage and selecting My Submissions.

*A valid government-issued driver's license, which is recognized by the Texas Department of Public Safety and in good standing, and an acceptable driving record are required. TDA will verify this information with the Texas Department of Public Safety. Applicants with a driver's license not issued by the State of Texas should obtain and be prepared to provide a copy of their current driving record on or before their first day.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO): The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (gender, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, disability, age, military status, genetic information or protected activity (retaliation). TDA provides accommodations for persons with disabilities in accordance with the American with Disabilities Act. If you need help with the employment process or require other accommodations, please contact the Human Resources office for assistance at (512) 463-7423.

TDA participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security, with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

Military and Former Foster Child Employment Preference: TDA complies with the provisions of the military and former foster child employment preference acts. Please contact our Human Resources-Veterans Liaison at (512) 463-7454 for assistance.

Go to https://texasskillstowork.com/, https://www.onetonline.org/, or http://www.careeronestop.org/ for assistance translating your military experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications/requirements, and skill sets.

Additional Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Code or Crosswalk information is available from the Texas State Auditor's Office at Legal MOS Codes.