TEC- Director IV (26-06)

JOB DESCRIPTION

Director of the Texas Ethics Commission’s Enforcement Division, a senior-level position responsible for overseeing and managing the TEC’s enforcement team, ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations by investigating potential violations, initiating legal actions when necessary, and coordinating with other departments to maintain a robust enforcement strategy. Position requires strong leadership skills, experience with investigations and adversarial legal processes, and the ability to make strategic decisions regarding enforcement actions.

The TEC is a state agency tasked with, among other things, administering and enforcing the laws related to campaign finance, lobbying state offices, and the personal financial statements filed by state officers. The TEC receives and may initiate its own sworn complaints regarding allege violations of the laws under the TEC’s jurisdiction. Sworn complaints are typically tried at administrative hearings before the TEC’s commissioners and may be appealed to district court.

SPECIFIC JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Leading and managing a team of enforcement lawyers and staff;
• Setting enforcement priorities and developing strategic plans to address compliance issues;
• Initiating, managing, and overseeing complex enforcement investigations, including gathering evidence, conducting interviews, drafting legal documents, and preparing for hearings and trials;
• Overseeing investigations into potential violations of regulations and laws;
• Monitoring ongoing investigations to ensure quality and effectiveness;
• Interpreting and applying relevant laws and regulations to identify potential violations, assess legal risks, and develop effective enforcement strategies;
• Conducing compliance audits of campaign finance, lobby and personal financial reports filed with the TEC to identify potential areas of non-compliance;
• Assessing the effectiveness of existing compliance controls;
• Collaborating with other departments within the organization to address compliance concerns;
• Tracking enforcement activities and generating reports on compliance trends;
• Analyzing data to identify potential compliance risks and areas for improvement;
• Presenting findings to the executive director and members of the Commission;
• Supervising and mentoring junior legal staff, assigning tasks, providing guidance, and reviewing work product.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work is performed in a hybrid office environment (telework policy available here: https://www.ethics.state.tx.us/data/about/TEC_TeleworkPlan_Version-1.0.pdf) and requires:

• Normal cognitive abilities including the ability to learn, recall, and apply certain practices and policies.
• Marginal or corrected visual and auditory requirements.
• Constant use of personal computers, copiers, printers, and telephones.
• The ability to work under deadlines, as a team member, and in direct contact with others.
• Confidentiality- must be able to responsibly handle sensitive and confidential information and situations.

WORK EXPECTATIONS:

Must be able to:

• Regularly, reliably, and punctually attend work.
• Work extended hours as necessary.
• Show flexibility and adaptability toward changes in assignments and work schedules.
• Adhere to the agency’s internal management policies and procedures; and
• Exhibit work behaviors consistent with agency core values.

RELATED MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY CODES:

Veterans, Reservists, or Guardsmen with a MOS or additional duties that fall in the fields of 9041 Staff current Operations Director; 9092 Assessment Director; 9980 Plans and Policies Director ; 2505 General Attorney; 2510 Administrative Law Attorney, or other related fields pertaining to the minimum experience requirement may meet the minimum qualifications for this position and are encouraged to apply.

Additional Military Crosswalk information can be accessed at https://www.onetonline.org/crosswalk/MOC?b=&s=Director&g=Go

E-VERIFY:

This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school;
• Member in good standing with the State Bar of Texas;
• Licensed to practice law in Texas for minimum of 5 years;
• Civil or criminal trial experience or its equivalent under the Administrative Procedure Act.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience as a criminal prosecutor or representing plaintiffs in civil trials;
• Knowledge of the laws and regulations under the jurisdiction of the Texas Ethics Commission;
• Experience conducting investigations;
• Proven leadership and supervisory skills;
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to interact with diverse stakeholders;
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

REGISTRATION, CERTIFICATION, OR LICENSURE

Must be licensed as an attorney by the State of Texas.