Job Description

CASE PREPARATION OFFICER

(INVESTIGATION OFFICER/LEGAL SUPPORT)

Salary Information: $3,900.00/MO. - B17

State Classification: Program Specialist I - 1570

FLSA Status: Nonexempt

Posting Number: 24-57792-2R

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's Enforcement Section investigates violations of state and federal pesticide, herbicide, Right-to-Know laws and regulations, consumer laws and programs, plant quality, seed quality, weights and measures, commodity warehouses, egg quality and the Agricultural Protective Act.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

The Case Preparation Officer will perform routine legal consultative services and technical work for the Legal Services' Enforcement section. You will perform post-investigation legal case analysis, case research, and case support and preparation functions for administrative investigations and cases involving violations of state and federal agriculture laws. You will work under moderate supervision with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Review, process and evaluate routine agency investigation or inspection documents for compliance and possible violations of state or federal agricultural laws, identifying and resolving technical issues to be resolved by staff attorneys; make preliminary recommendations for legal enforcement action, including closure without action.

Compile, review and evaluate the inspection and enforcement histories of subjects of investigation or inspection.

Prepare case correspondence.

Monitor the progress of cases in which enforcement action is taken and assist with case disposition. Track enforcement of settlement and order compliance.

Assist field and program personnel with ongoing investigations.

Compile, prepare, track and assist with the presentation of enforcement statistical information.

Follow all TDA policies and procedures.

Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POSITION

Bachelor's Degree (one year of work experience may substitute for one year of college).

One (1) year work experience preparing, reviewing, or evaluating inspection or investigative reports.

Work experience preparing technical reports.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience conducting inspections or investigations involving state or federal regulatory matters.



Qualifications:

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Knowledge of investigative procedures and enforcement tactics and techniques; and of legal timetables, deadlines and service requirements.

Skill in providing customer service excellence to both internal and external customers; and skill in the use of a computer and applicable software.

Ability to compile, order, analyze and correlate technical and non-technical factual information; to understand, interpret and evaluate evidentiary materials in relation to legal requirements; to understand, interpret and comply with legal timelines and deadlines; to understand and interpret regulatory and enforcement policies and guidelines understand, interpret and comply with legal and governmental ethical guidelines; to organize and work independently, as well as within a team environment; to make presentations to technical and non-technical groups; to research information using Internet search engines; to work effectively under pressure and meet strict deadlines while maintaining extreme attention to detail; and to exercise sound judgment and discretion.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS

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. May include fieldwork at various agricultural locations, to include crop and fallow fields, rural and urban areas, retail businesses, grain warehouses and livestock poultry or crop production facilities. Must be able work extended periods at a computer and may require working extended hours and some evenings and weekends, as needed. May involve travel, up to 10%* of the work period, and some occasionally overnight.

TELEWORK & WORK HOURS

TDA has a telework policy that will allow eligible positions to telework up to two (2) days per week after completing six (6) months of employment with the agency. The employee must meet eligibility criteria set forth in the Telework Policy.

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

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. A skills exercise may be conducted at the time of the interview.

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 veterans 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 Compliance, Inspection and Investigation MOS Codes.