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DPS - OGC - Assistant General Counsel - 3504-3506
The Office of General Counsel for the Department of Public Safety is seeking an experienced, senior-level attorney to join our team. The ideal candidate will have government agency experience; exposure to and interest in areas such as policy writing, driver license law, employment law, administrative law, traffic law, 4th Amendment and law enforcement practices, and other areas impacting state agencies.
The Department of Public Safety is a complex law enforcement agency with over 11,000 employees. In the Office of General Counsel, we help our clients solve problems that affect their diverse law enforcement, regulatory, and licensing missions. Formally, we are a legal department composed of over 60 attorneys statewide in two practice groups: General Counsel and Administrative Hearing Programs. This position is located at DPS headquarters in Austin and is within the Office of General Counsel, which provides oversight and guidance for all legal matters affecting the agency.
The selected candidate will report to the Deputy General Counsel and play an active role in the agency’s policy development and implementation efforts. Additionally, this position provides legal advice, counsel and strategic guidance on a wide range of issues, including driver licensing law, employment law (such as ADA, FMLA, and general HR matters), Constitutional law (particularly Fourth Amendment search and seizure issues), privacy law, and other legal matters affecting a large state agency. The role involves direct interaction with agency executive leadership, law enforcement personnel, and internal administrative staff, as well as regular engagement with the public, other governmental entities, courts, and outside attorneys.
There is no such thing as a typical day for a law enforcement agency as diverse as DPS, so our commitment is to provide – and when needed, develop - the substantive legal expertise our clients require to navigate complex issues. The ideal candidate will be skilled at analyzing intricate legal concepts, conducting comprehensive legal research, and delivering clear, practical guidance. Strong problem-solving abilities and the capacity to communicate effectively with non-lawyers and a wide range of clients are essential.
We are currently seeking an attorney with at least three (3) years of professional legal experience for a position in the classification ranges of an Attorney III-V. Final salary and classification will be based on experience and qualifications.
The department offers a collaborative work environment with career advancement opportunities. Other benefits of the position include:
- Comprehensive medical insurance with premiums paid at 100% for full-time employees and the state pays 50% of the premium for dependents
- Flexible work schedules
- Generous paid leave and holidays,
- State retirement pension plan
- Wellness programs and support for work-life balance
PLEASE NOTE: All applications must contain complete job histories, which includes job title, dates of employment, name of employer, supervisor's name and phone number and a description of duties performed. If this information is not submitted, your application may be rejected because it is incomplete. Resumes do not take the place of this required information.
SUBMITTED THROUGH WORK IN TEXAS: Work In Texas (WIT) applicants must complete the supplemental questions to be considered for the posting. In order to complete the supplemental questions please go to CAPPS Recruit to register or login and access your profile. Go to CAPPS Recruit to Sign In https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Perform highly complex (senior-level) professional legal and administrative work in coordinating and performing the work of the General Counsel Section. Plans, organizes, coordinates and directs the work of various legal services operations within General Counsel. Coordinate the handling of various functions involving other agencies, including litigation and legislative issues involving the Department. Provide legal counsel on a variety of issues involving the Department, including criminal, traffic, administrative, and employment law, personnel issues, rules, regulations, homeland security and emergency response and contracts. Work under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
The following Military Occupational Specialty codes are generally applicable to this position. Applicants must fully complete the summary of experience to determine if minimum qualifications are met. https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_Legal.pdf
ESSENTIAL DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Provide sound legal counsel and assistance to management of all the divisions of the Department.
2. Plan, implement, direct and coordinate legal assistance on the interpretation and application of agency policy, regulations and state and federal laws.
3. Conduct legal research and review and draft legal documents, briefs, memoranda.
4. Prepare or supervise the preparation of reports submitted to the General Counsel.
5. Provide legal advice and assistance to all divisions, services, and bureaus on matters relating to licensing functions, departmental operations, law enforcement, statutory interpretation, and criminal and civil law.
6. Communicate with peace officers, Justice of the Peace, County and District Attorneys, Attorney General and other public officials in the performance of duties.
7. Prepare or coordinate discovery and litigation efforts.
8. Review and draft contracts, grants, purchasing, and leasing documents.
9. May represent the Department in administrative or court hearings.
10. May be required to supervise support staff.
11. Attend work regularly and observe approved work hours in accordance with agency leave and attendance policies.
12. Perform other duties as assigned.
GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS and REQUIREMENTS
Education – Graduation from an accredited law school with a J.D. or L.L.B. is required.
Experience –
Attorney Ill - Minimum of three (3) years' experience as an attorney involving work with a state, federal or local governmental entity; or Texas criminal or civil trial or administrative hearing work; or work involving contracts or grants, administrative rulemaking, juvenile and criminal records, employment law, legislative process, the Public Information Act, federal-state relations, procurement or leasing laws and codes; homeland security, criminal laws and codes, use of force issues, or driver license laws.
Attorney IV - Minimum of five (5) years' experience as an attorney involving work with a state, federal or local governmental entity; or Texas criminal or civil trial or administrative hearing work; or work involving contracts or grants, administrative rulemaking, juvenile and criminal records, employment law, legislative process, the Public Information Act, federal-state relations, procurement or leasing laws and codes; homeland security, criminal laws and codes, use of force issues, or driver license laws.
Attorney V - Minimum of seven (7) years' experience as an attorney involving work with a state, federal or local governmental entity; or Texas criminal or civil trial or administrative hearing work; or work involving contracts or grants, administrative rulemaking, juvenile and criminal records, employment law, legislative process, the Public Information Act, federal-state relations, procurement or leasing laws and codes; homeland security, criminal laws and codes, use of force issues, or driver license laws.
Interpersonal Skills – Must demonstrate an ability to exercise poise, tact, diplomacy and an ability to establish and maintain positive, working/professional relationships with clients at all organizational levels and the public.
Presentation/Communication Skills – Must be able to construct and deliver clear, concise, persuasive, and professional presentations to a variety of audiences or individuals.
Analytical Reasoning/Attention to Detail – Must demonstrate an ability to examine data/information, discern variations/similarities, and be able identify trends, relationships and causal factors, as well as grasp issues, draw accurate conclusions, and solve problems.
Organizational and Prioritization Skills – Must be organized, flexible, and able to effectively prioritize in a multi-demand and constantly changing environment; able to meet multiple and sometimes conflicting deadlines without sacrificing accuracy, timeliness or professionalism.
Legal Skills - Working knowledge of, or the ability to rapidly assimilate information related to DPS, state and federal regulations, legislation, guidelines, policies and procedures. Strong writing skills. Knowledge of legal terminology, legal research methods and techniques, preparation and use of legal documents, administrative and court procedures, and law office practices and procedures. Knowledge of federal and state criminal law, public information, and criminal intelligence laws, Code of Federal Regulations, laws affecting state agencies, and privacy laws.
Technology (computers/hardware/software/operating systems) – Must possess appropriate levels of proficiency with utilized software and systems and be able to learn new software/systems. Ability to conduct Legal Research utilizing Westlaw/Lexis. Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
Confidentiality and Protected Information – Must demonstrate an ability to responsibly handle sensitive and confidential information and situations, and adhere to applicable laws/statutes/policies related to access, maintenance and dissemination of information.
Schedule, Telecommuting, and Travel - Work is performed during standard business hours at the DPS HQ building in Austin. Availability for occasional after-hour and weekend work is required. Occasional travel – less than 5%.
PHYSICAL and/or ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS
The physical and environmental demands described here are representative of those encountered and/or necessary for the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job; reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Environment: Office;
- Ambulatory skills, e.g. stand, walk, sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch;
- Hand-eye coordination and arm/hand/finger dexterity;
- Ability to speak, hear, smell, and exercise visual acuity;
- Ability to transfer weights of twenty (20) pounds anticipated for this position;
- Driving requirements: Occasional (ten [10%]).
State of Texas Benefits and Retirement Information: https://www.ers.texas.gov/
DPS employee who is selected for a position in their current salary group and state title will be transferred with no salary change.
DPS employee who is selected for a position in their current salary group with a new state title may receive an increase up to 3.4%.
Salary is contingent upon qualifications and is subject to salary administration and budgetary restrictions.
DUE TO THE HIGH VOLUME OF APPLICATIONS WE DO NOT ACCEPT TELEPHONE CALLS, ONLY CANDIDATES SELECTED FOR INTERVIEW WILL BE CONTACTED.
State of Texas retirees may be rehired for full-time, non-commissioned positions only under very specific circumstances.
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