Associate Reviewing Attorney (Statewide)

Are you looking for a challenging, non-traditional legal position with a positive work environment and the potential for professional development?

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is seeking several Associate Reviewing Attorneys (ARA’s) to join the Agency’s Commission Appeals Department. The department is located in Austin, Texas, but ARA’s are eligible to telecommute from anywhere in the State of Texas. The selected candidate must have a secure, dedicated workspace with Internet service, ability to maintain a reliable and consistent work schedule and be available for weekly meetings and group collaboration via Microsoft Teams and other applications during regular business hours.

TWC is not considering applications from individuals who require sponsorship for an employment visa, including those currently on student or postgraduate visas. You must be a Texas resident to work for the Texas Workforce Commission or willing to relocate to Texas.
Position is open to attorneys statewide and not limited to the Austin geographic area.

WHO WE ARE:
Texas Workforce Commission connects people with careers across the state. While we are based in Austin on the north lawn of the Texas State Capitol, we have offices statewide.. We're a Family Friendly Certified Workplace with great work-life balance, competitive salaries, extensive opportunities for training and development, and fantastic benefits. Commission Appeals is a highly specialized, non-traditional legal practice at TWC, providing essential support to TWC’s three Commissioners by summarizing informal, administrative hearings and making recommendations for case resolution. Our summaries and recommendations in hundreds of cases per month facilitate the administration of Unemployment Benefits, Wage Claims and other programs, as part of TWC’s mission to promote and support the workforce system of Texas.

WHO YOU ARE:
You have ability to meet strict production deadlines, foster a positive team attitude, demonstrate strong attention to detail with high volume work, and the ability to handle multiple priorities. As an ARA in Commission Appeals, you will join a select team of self-motivated legal professionals who value having an immediate impact on the citizens and businesses of Texas while working in a positive work environment.

No litigation skills or experience are required. This is a non-litigation position with no employment connection to our primary customer, the Commission offices. An Associate Reviewing Attorney performs entry-level to routine (journey-level) legal work, listening to approximately 15 to 20 recorded hearings per week, extracting relevant facts from testimony and evidence, and drafting written summaries (not transcripts) and other documentation for consideration by the Commissioners and their staff on a weekly cycle. Recommendations conform to existing law, the Texas Unemployment Compensation Act, Texas Payday law, and Commission precedent. The Agency provides legal resources, with minimal need for outside legal research. Our Attorneys may also conduct informal, telephonic hearings in accordance with agency guidelines. ARA’s work under moderate supervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. They excel in working independently, but also routinely share ideas to facilitate rapid problem solving and consistency of recommendation. We foster a collaborative, small-team environment, a positive attitude and high quality and timeliness expectations. Many of our Attorneys have been with the department for many years.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:
The Associate Reviewing Attorney (Attorney I) performs entry-level to routine (journey-level) legal work. Work involves examining and preparing legal documents in a timely fashion, rendering legal advice and counsel, conducting hearings, and assisting in preparing cases for agency resolution. There is no direct involvement with litigation. Works under moderate supervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

VETERANS:
Use your military skills to qualify for this position or other jobs! Go to www.texasskillstowork.com to translate your military work experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications, and skill sets. Also, you can compare this position to military occupations (MOS) at the Texas State Auditor's Office by pasting this link into your browser: https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_Legal.pdf

HOW TO APPLY:
To be considered, please complete a State of Texas Application for Employment and apply online at www.workintexas.com or on Taleo (Job Search).
TWC is not considering applications from individuals who require sponsorship for an employment visa, including those currently on student or postgraduate visas.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

A position utilizing this classification will be designated as security sensitive according to the Texas Labor Code, Section 301.042.