APS Regional Attorney

Texas A&M International; Lubbock (TX); On-site; USD 92,000 - 103,000; Full time

Job summary

Texas Department of Family and Protective Services in Lubbock seeks a Licensed Attorney to serve as the APS Regional Attorney III. You will provide direct representation in court for Adult Protective Services and advise staff on legal matters across probate, guardianship, and elder law.

The role requires coordinating with county and district attorneys, trainers for agency staff, and collaboration with experts.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of probate law, guardianship law, and elder law as an attorney or in protective services
• Ability to synthesize law, administrative rules, agency policies and goals
• Ability to convey complex ideas and instructions clearly to staff
• Ability to work with computers

Responsibilities

• Advises staff on legal matters and interprets laws, regulations, and policies
• Advises County and District Attorneys on legal matters, and interprets law, regulations and policies
• Provides agency representation in court cases
• Provides legal training to agency staff and the legal community
• Coordinates specialized legal efforts with appropriate experts
• Performs other duties as assigned and required to maintain unit operations
• Promotes and demonstrates appropriate respect for cultural diversity among coworkers and all work-related contacts
• Attends work regularly in accordance with agency leave policy

Skills

Probate law

Guardianship law

Elder law

Legal analysis

Job description

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The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) works to build on strengths of families and communities to keep children and vulnerable adults safe, so they thrive. We do this through investigations, services, and referrals.

What You Get Beyond Your Paycheck

When you join the State of Texas, your monthly paycheck is just one part of your real income. Our benefits provide extra value that many private employers simply don’t match—often adding hundreds of dollars each month to what you take home or save.

Here’s what you get as a full-time employee:

• 100% paid health insurance for you, and 50% paid for eligible family members—saving you hundreds every month in out-of-pocket medical costs
• Retirement plans with lifetime monthly payments after five years of state service, plus options to save even more with 401(k) and 457 plans
• Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave so you can recharge and take care of life outside work (that’s time off you’re actually paid for)
• Optional dental, vision, and life insurance —at rates much lower than most private plans
• Flexible spending accounts for added tax savings on health and dependent care
• Employee discounts on things like gym memberships, electronics, and entertainment

Functional Title: APS Regional Attorney
Job Title: Legal APS Regional Attny III
Agency: Dept of Family & Protectve Svc
Department: Regional Litigation - APS DD
Posting Number: 18288
Closing Date: 12/22/2026
Posting Audience: Internal and External
Occupational Category: Legal
Salary Range: $8,250.00-$9,250.00
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-26
Shift: Day
Additional Shift:
Telework:
Travel: Up to 30%
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full Time/Part Time: Full time
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt
Facility Location:
Job Location City: LUBBOCK
Job Location Address: 1622 10TH ST
Other Locations:
MOS Codes: 4402,4405,4406,4407,4408,4409,4410,4411,4417,250X,27A,51JX,92J0,LGL10,LGL11

Performs complex legal work. Provides direct representation for Adult Protective Services in court. Provides expertise, guidance and instruction in probate, guardianship, elder law, and agency policy. Monitors the progress of all Department Family and Protective Services’ (DFPS) cases within the assigned area of responsibility, and takes appropriate measures to ensure the timely and appropriate resolution of those cases. Interacts routinely with caseworkers, supervisors, program administrators, agency attorneys, county and district attorneys, opposing counsel, judges, agency clients, investigation witnesses, community professionals, expert witnesses, and the general public.

Essential Job Functions:

• Advises staff on legal matters and interprets laws, regulations, and policies.
• Advises County and District Attorneys on legal matters, and interprets law, regulations and policies.
• Provides agency representation in court cases.
• Provides legal training to agency staff and the legal community.
• Coordinates specialized legal efforts with appropriate experts.
• Performs other duties as assigned and required to maintain unit operations.
• Promotes and demonstrates appropriate respect for cultural diversity among coworkers and all work-related contacts.
• Attends work regularly in accordance with agency leave policy.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

• Licensed to practice law in the State of Texas.
• Has a valid Texas driver's license.

Knowledge Skills Abilities:

• Knowledge of probate law, guardianship law, and elder law as a retained attorney or appointed ad litem or experience as an attorney in protective services for the elderly or adults with a disability.
• Ability to synthesize law, administrative rules, agency policies and goals, and best practice recommendations to reach an appropriate interpretation.
• Ability to convey complex ideas and instructions clearly to staff.
• Ability to work with computers.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Licensed to practice law in Texas and in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.

Additional Information:

Physical requirements for the position include the ability to drive a vehicle, to lift and carry objects, operate a computer, including operating word-processing, data management and other computer software, to be capable of verbal and written communication, and to operate machinery and equipment, such as copiers, facsimile, and other office equipment.

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited tothose listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions . You may also contact the DFPS Military Liaison at [e-mail] with additional questions.

Applicants selected for hire must pass a background check and if applicable a driver’s record check.

State of Texas employees are required to maintain the security and integrity of critical infrastructure as defined in Section 117.001(2), State of Texas Business and Commerce Code. Applicants selected for hire comply with this code by completing related training and abiding by agency cybersecurity and communications system usage policies.

As a state agency, DFPS is required by Texas Administrative Code (TAC 206 and 213) to ensure all Electronic Information Resources (EIR) follow accessibility standards. The staff must be familiar with the WCAG 2.1 AA and Section 508 to create accessible content including but not limited to; Microsoft Office documents, Adobe PDFs, webpages, software, training guides, video, and audio files.

DFPS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Employees must provide documentation to DFPS to show their identity and authorization to work in the US. Please review the following link for authorized documents: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents .

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS/DFPS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS/DFPS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.