Job Description

JOB OBJECTIVE: Provide advanced legal services for the Texas Historical Commission (THC). Provide legal advice to THC staff administering the programs; draft and/or review correspondence, solicitation requests, contracts, program guides, and rules. Work under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

1. Provide legal advice related to the administration of federally and state-funded programs, including drafting and/or reviewing correspondence and solicitations such as requests for proposals, qualifications, grant applications, contracts, grant agreements and amendments, program implementation manuals, and program application guides.
2. Research and provide legal analysis on state and federal laws and regulations for THC programs.
3. Review contract performance issues, findings of noncompliance, and breach of contract issues, and provide legal support and advice to programs on such matters.
4. Attend commission meetings and provide legal support to THC staff, committees, and commissioners.
5. Research and draft legal memoranda on issues for THC programs.
6. Attend and provide legal support as necessary at staff meetings, including briefings on grant awards and issues related to program implementation.
7. Provide program support in the area of administrative law, including agency rulemaking, public information requests, and compliance with open meetings.
8. Serve as needed as one of the THC's liaisons with the Office of the Attorney General regarding litigation involving the agency, including preparing subpoenas, records, and documents for civil litigation, assisting in preparing cases for trial, and representing the agency in matters before the court, as appropriate.
9. Serve as counsel for programs in administrative hearings, including drafting briefs, preparing witnesses for testimony, and representing THC at the hearings.
10. Draft, review, and finalize legal documents such as contracts, memorandum of agreement, grant funding agreements, and other legal correspondences as needed to achieve agency objectives.
11. Report to the THC Executive Director. As directed, the position will be reporting and serving the Commission and coordinating with a designated member of the THC Executive Committee on identified issues. By communicating often and effectively, the position will keep the Executive Director and Commissioners informed about issues affecting the agency, involving them when issues are sensitive to external customers or involve policy questions, and share concerns and opportunities for improvement with them.
12. Monitor state and federal legislation, assist with legislative issues, and provide written reports and testimony at legislative hearings.
13. Advise Human Resources and management on interpreting, applying, and enforcing employment laws, rules, regulations, policies, and legal risks related to personnel matters.
14. Advise the agency on ethical matters, including providing training, conducting inquiries, and providing legal advice regarding all matters pertaining to ethics, standards of conduct, and conflicts of interest.
15. Inform the agency of privacy-related laws and regulations that impact THC operations.
16. Provide recommendations to ensure compliance with real estate laws and regulations that impact agency property ownership, management, and future acquisitions.
17. Represent the agency on prelitigation matters before the Texas Workforce Commission (Civil Rights Division and Unemployment Insurance Division), the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the U.S. Department of Labor, including at administrative hearings and mediations.
18. Advise on the filing of registered trademarks and copyrights as well as legal protection of both.
19. Adhere to an established work schedule with regular attendance.
20. Follow all THC safety guidelines/procedures and ethics requirements.

NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

1. Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

(The application must specifically state how each of the following qualifications are met):

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university and an accredited law school with a LL.B. or J.D. degree and a license to practice law in the State of Texas;
• Minimum three years experience working as a licensed attorney;
• Recent work experience in contracts and administrative law;
• Experience making public presentations and demonstrating an ability to work with people at all levels of professional expertise in the agency's programs;
• Valid driver's license, acceptable driving record, and ability to drive a state vehicle; and
• Required to travel up to 10% of the work period.

PREFER:

• Experience working with federal and/or state grant programs;
• Extensive experience drafting and reviewing contracts and/or
• Experience working as an attorney in a governmental entity in Texas.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of legal principles, practices, and proceedings;
• Knowledge of State of Texas procurement regulations;
• Knowledge of legal principles, practices, and proceedings;
• Knowledge of state and federal laws, rules, and regulations;
• Knowledge of agency administrative rules and regulations;
• Effective verbal and written communication, human relations, organizational and presentation skills;
• Effective critical thinking skills;
• Effective legal research skills, including computer-assisted research;
• Skill in providing excellent customer service to both internal and external customers;
• Skill in operating a personal computer with word processing, database, and spreadsheet software;
• Skill in legal research, writing and analysis;
• Skill in prioritizing workloads;
• Skill in using judgment to identify courses of action;
• Ability to interpret laws;
• Ability to analyze problems, evaluate alternatives, and recommend effective solutions;
• Ability to process information in a logical manner and to assess validity;
• Strict adherence to the ethical and professional obligations of an attorney;
• Ability to work in a setting requiring self-motivation/cooperative decision-making and to work effectively with diverse groups of people;
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet strict deadlines while maintaining extreme attention to detail;
• Ability to plan, organize, and work independently, as well as within a team environment;
• Ability to adapt successfully and quickly to change and deliver quality results in a timely manner;
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion; and
• Ability to maintain the highest level of confidentiality.

REGISTRATION, CERTIFICATION, OR LICENSURE:Must have or obtain a valid Driver's License and Defensive Driving Course to be able to operate state vehicles.

License to practice law in Texas.

ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL CONDITIONS: This position is housed in a historic building and is the agency's headquarters located near the state capitol in Austin 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, occasionally overnight.

MILITARY EMPLOYMENT PREFERENCE: All CAPPS Recruit job postings extend priority of service to veterans, a surviving spouse, orphan of a veteran who was killed while on active duty, spouse of a member of the US Armed Forces/Texas National Guard serving on active duty, or spouse of a veteran with a disability if the spouse is the primary income for the household.

To receive Military Employment preference, a copy of the DD 214, NA Form 13038, VA Summary Benefits Letter, or a DD Form 1300 with an applicable marriage license or birth certificate must be provided before an interview can be extended.

REMARKS (Application procedures, Special requirements): State of Texas application must be submitted through the CAPPS website. Only applicants interviewed will be notified of their selection or non-selection. Resumes will NOT be accepted in place of a completed application.

The Texas Historical Commission 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 in recruitment, selection, appointment, training, promotion, retention, or any other personnel action or deny any benefits or participation in programs or activities which it sponsors.

As part of the employment process, THC will conduct a driving and criminal background check. Unsatisfactory information relevant to the position may disqualify the applicant from employment.

Disability access for testing and interview accommodations can be provided upon reasonable notice by contacting Human Resources at 512-305-6729.

THC 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.

Additional Military Crosswalk information can be accessed at:

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

Veterans: Go to www.texasskillstowork.com for assistance translating your military work experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications/requirements, and skill sets.

For New Hires/Rehires: Health insurance is available on the 1st of the following month after a 60-day waiting period.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER