Deputy General Counsel #0810-26

Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 170,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation seeks a Deputy General Counsel to assist the General Counsel in managing the division, directing legal staff, and providing strategic legal advice. Based in Austin, TX, this position requires executive-level judgment with in-office attendance as an essential function.

The Deputy General Counsel will draft complex rules, represent the agency in litigation, supervise staff, and contribute to the department's strategic plans and budget processes.

Responsibilities

• Delivers legal advice on interpretation, application, and enforcement of agency laws and rules.
• Plans, directs, and supervises legal support staff and assigns personnel actions.
• Coordinates drafting and review of complex administrative rules and procedures.
• Represents the Department in litigation, in conjunction with the Attorney General, in civil and criminal actions.
• May testify at hearings and trials.
• Reviews interpretations of laws affecting department operations and policy.
• Prepares and approves interagency contracts and procurement documents.
• Advises on pending hearings, bills, and laws affecting the agency.
• Represents the Office of the General Counsel before the Commission and other groups.
• Assists in preparing the Department's Strategic Plan, budgets, and performance reports.
• Coordinates drafting and review of bills and amendments for legislative consideration.
• Provides training on legal issues to Commissioners, advisory boards, and staff.

Job description

Working title: Deputy General Counsel

Class title: General Counsel IV

Posting No.: 0810-26

Opening Date: 08/19/2026

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Location: EOT Building, 920 Colorado, Austin, TX 78701

Class Code: 3524E

FLSA: Exec-Exempt

Salary Group/Salary: B32, $170,000.04 - $175,000.08/yr.

Division: General Counsel

Number of positions: 1

General Description

The Deputy General Counsel performs highly advanced and managerial (senior-level) legal, administrative, and analytical work. Assists the General Counsel in the day-to-day management of the General Counsel Division and is responsible, in conjunction with the General Counsel, for selecting and supervising legal support staff and assistant general counsel(s). Work involves directing, planning, and coordinating a variety of legal management and support activities, as well as interpreting laws and rules, preparing and/or approving legal documents, rendering legal advice and counsel, drafting complex administrative rules, and delivering accurate legal advice to the agency and/or commission to ensure prompt and effective actions involving the provision of legal services and administrative rulemaking. Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. May serve as acting General Counsel in the General Counsels absence. This position is primarily in-office, with limited telecommuting days available based on team and agency needs. Regular onsite attendance is considered an essential function of this position. This position reports to the General Counsel.

Essential Job Functions

• Delivers effective, accurate, and efficient legal advice to the Department and/or Commission on the interpretation, application, and enforcement of agency laws and rules. Provides legal advice to the Department and/or Commission on policy decision making and identifies appropriate legal solutions and input on the development of programs and procedures.
• Under the supervision of the General Counsel, plans, directs, and supervises the work of legal support staff and/or assistant general counsel(s) in the delivery of agency legal services. Provides guidance and mentoring; approves leave requests and time entries; develops, consults on, and recommends personnel actions and ensures accurate and timely appraisals and meaningful developmental opportunities for each reporting employee.
• Coordinates the drafting and review of, or drafts and reviews complex administrative rules and procedures for the statutory areas regulated by the agency.
• Represents the Department and/or Commission in litigation or potential litigation brought by or against the Department and/or Commission, and in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General in civil and criminal actions.
• May testify at hearings (including legislative hearings) and trials.
• Reviews and advises on the interpretation, application, and enforcement of laws and regulations affecting Departmental administration and operations, its policies, and the policies and operations of the Commission and advisory boards.
• Prepares and/or approves final interagency contracts, documents of Department purchases, sales, or leases of property, and other contractual obligations of the Department.
• Advises and provides guidance to the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation, the executive office, and agency staff on pending hearings and cases, bills, and laws affecting the agency, open government regulations, the agencys administrative rules, ethics questions, legal risks, and sensitive legal matters.
• Represents the Office of the General Counsel before the Commission, and other internal and external groups, regarding section, program, and agency issues.
• Assists in the preparation and monitoring of the Department's Strategic Plan, appropriation requests, budget, and performance reports.
• Coordinates the drafting and review of, or drafts and reviews bill and amendments for legislative consideration.
• May provide training on various legal issues to Commissioners, advisory boards, and/or agency staff.