Member Advocacy Specialist (Help Center Attorney)

TEXAS STATE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION
JOB DESCRIPTION

Position/Title: Member Advocacy Specialist Position No. 4-219

Center: Legal Services and Member Advocacy Bargaining Unit: PSA

Reports to: Director, Legal Services and Member Advocacy Classification: Exempt

PART II: JOB SUMMARY

The employee in this position, working under the general direction of the General Counsel/OCLSMA Director, will help the

Association achieve its mission by advocating for members who contact TSTA's multi-service legal call center. The staff person in this position will serve as an integral team member to carry out a variety of services, including but not limited to: member rights, membership promotion and retention, advocacy training for locals and affiliates, instruction and professional development, negotiations and/or consultation, and grievance processing.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

1. Ensure delivery of member advocacy services through the TSTA Help Center.

2. Advocate for and protect association rights for TSTA members and its local affiliates, as assigned.

3. Provide legal advice and counsel to members in employment-related matters and TSTA staff.

4. Represent members in employment-related disputes, as assigned.

5. Collaborate and partner with members, team members, and staff on assigned cases or projects.

6. Assess/triage, identify trends, develop action plans, advocate, monitor, and refer member issues, as needed.

7. Analyze, evaluate, and research case law, legal policies, legal documents, and trends impacting public school employees/members.

8. Accurately interpret and convey legal policies, documents, and strategies to leaders, members, potential members and staff.

9. Present workshops, trainings, and information sessions to TSTA members and staff, as assigned.

PART III: KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

1. Understanding of and commitment to TSTA mission and vision statements; working knowledge of TSTA/NEA programs and objectives.

2. Knowledge of TSTA governance, including local association programs and objectives, and administrative policies and procedures.

3. Knowledge of the Texas Education Code, Texas Administrative Code, federal and state constitutional laws, school laws, civil rights law, and labor laws.

4. Knowledge of Texas public school employee rights at the local, state and federal levels.

5. Knowledge of training principles and techniques, especially for adult learners.

6. Extensive knowledge of legal research methodologies and techniques.

7. Professional phone, listening, and email skills and etiquette: ability to communicate sensitive information to people with whom there is no physical rapport, and the ability to resolve complicated issues without making a personal appearance; ability to be patient with members experiencing a high degree of stress.

8. Enhanced skill in assisting people experiencing legal difficulties with an employer; preferably public schools.

9. Excellent time management, case management, and multi-tasking skills.

10. Exceptional skill in negotiating, conflict resolution, and interest-based problem-solving.

11. Strong command of English grammar, rhetoric and composition, spelling and punctuation and general office skills; sophisticated writing skills.

12. Broad skills necessary to develop and present trainings, workshops, info sessions, and materials to diverse audiences.

13. Ability to think critically and synthesize legal research, policy, documents, and other information to develop creative resolutions for members.

14. Ability to communicate clearly, persuasively, concisely, logically, and coherently (both verbally and in writing) with diverse audiences.

15. Ability to identify, calculate, adhere to established deadlines/timelines.

16. Ability to effectively respond to sensitive inquiries and maintain confidential information.

17. Ability to adapt to changing circumstances and competing priorities while interacting productively with internal and external customers in a demanding and complicated environment.

18. Ability to function well in a high-paced and, at times, stressful environment.

19. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others.

20. Ability to understand and respond to constructive feedback from internal and external stakeholders.

21. Ability to work both independently and as a contributing team member; effectiveness of work depends on ability to gain active cooperation and involvement from appropriate stakeholders.

22. Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and related software.

23. Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.

PART IV: QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

1. Bachelor's Degree required. Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) from an accredited law school preferred. If a licensed attorney, be a member in good standing of the State Bar of Texas with license to practice law in the state of Texas preferred.

EXPERIENCE
1. At least two years of experience in interest-based problem solving, advocacy, grievance processing, case management, conflict resolution, crisis management (assess/triage, identify trends, develop action plan, advocate, monitor, and refer as needed) or similar experience with a union. If experience is as a lawyer, it should include representing school employees and/or others in adversarial situations. Will consider experience as a paralegal or law clerk in related fields.

2. Experience interpreting and applying the Texas Education Code, Title 19 of the Texas Administrative Code, school board policies, the Texas Open Meetings Act, and the Texas Public Information Act.

3. Experience in state education association work preferred.

4. Proven track record of partnering with internal and external stakeholders to develop and execute comprehensive, successful legal strategies.

PART V: OTHER INFORMATION

SUPERVISORY

The employee works under the general direction of the General Counsel/OCLSMA Director. The employee is expected to work independently with minimum of supervision in handling complex and/or new problems with initiative, creativity, and sound professional judgment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The work will be performed in a variety of in-person and virtual settings including a professional office, schools, classrooms and training facilities—sometimes in front of large or small groups and sometimes alone. Some lifting of boxes, some of which may be heavy, will be required.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Willingness to travel, including but not limited to, grievances and presentations.

2. Valid Texas Driver’s License (or ability to obtain one); reliable transportation.

3. Performs such other reasonable duties as may be assigned, including but not limited to, routine administrative tasks such as completing and submitting vouchers, activity reports and leave requests; assists as assigned.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $62,816.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Ability to Commute:

• Austin, TX 78759 (Preferred)

Ability to Relocate:

• Austin, TX 78759: Relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Austin, TX 78759