DPS - OGC - Assistant General Counsel - 3505

Texas A&M International; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical insurance

Flexible work schedules

Hybrid work arrangement

Generous paid leave and holidays

State retirement pension

Wellness program

Job summary

The Department of Public Safety - Office of General Counsel seeks an Assistant General Counsel (Contracts Attorney) with substantial state contracting and procurement experience. The role includes advising on planning through closeout, representing the agency in procurement matters and disputes, and providing high-level legal guidance across contracting activities.

Ideal candidates hold a J.D. and have at least five years as a licensed attorney, with preferred experience in state agency

Qualifications

• Requires a law degree (J.D. or equivalent).
• Minimum five years as a licensed, practicing attorney.

Responsibilities

• Plan, direct, and coordinate legal work for the Office of General Counsel.
• Review and draft contracts, grants, purchasing, and leasing documents.

Skills

State contracting

Procurement knowledge

Contract negotiations

Legal research

Education

J.D. or LLB

Tools

Westlaw/Lexis

Microsoft Office

Job description

DPS - OGC - Assistant General Counsel - 3505

The Department of Public Safety - Office of General Counsel is seeking an Assistant General Counsel (Contracts Attorney) position with experience in state contracting and state procurement. The successful candidate will provide complex legal services including providing legal advice regarding all aspects of purchasing and contracting from planning through negotiation, performance monitoring, and closeout. The successful candidate will represent the agency in procurement matters, contract negotiations, and disputes including protest and contract-related claims as well as other matters as assigned by the Supervising Attorney. The candidate must have a basic understanding of contracts and business law as well as Texas State agency procurement and contracting law, including applicable State policy such as the State of Texas Procurement and Contract Management Guide and TxGMS. The ideal candidate will be knowledgeable about contracting best practices, comfortable using technology, and have excellent oral and written communication skills.

We are currently seeking an experienced attorney with at least five (5) years of experience as a licensed, practicing attorney and prefer applicants with state contracting and procurement experience for a position in the classification range of Attorney IV. Final salary and classification will be based on experience and qualifications.

The department offers a collaborative work environment with career advancement opportunities. Benefits 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
• Hybrid work schedule involving a mix of telecommuting and in office work is an option subject to the needs of the department and management.
• Generous paid leave and holidays
• State retirement pension plan
• Comprehensive wellness program

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Perform advanced (senior-level) professional legal and administrative work in coordinating and performing the work of the Office of General Counsel. Work involves overseeing and planning legal activities, preparing procurement and contract documents, participating in negotiations and contract dispute resolutions, interpreting laws and regulations, and rendering legal advice and counsel. Performs advanced legal work involving the interpretation of laws, regulations, and rules related to state acquisition and purchasing; preparation of legal documents; review and oversight of grants, provision of legal advice and counsel; and management of complex legal procurement activities. Performs various functions within the Office of General Counsel including management of solicitations, oversight and management of audit reviews, preparing and presenting reports to executive management, and management of contract compliance and enforcement actions on behalf of the agency. Work under minimal supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment with constraints of law, departmental policies, and professional practice.

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.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Plan, direct, implement, direct and coordinate legal assistance to management of all the divisions of the Department.
2. Review and draft contracts, grants, purchasing, and leasing documents.
3. Prepare or supervise the preparation of the reports submitted to the General Counsel.
4. Provide legal advice and assistance to all divisions on matters relating to contracts, grants, purchasing and leasing documents, licensing functions, departmental operations, law enforcement, and statutory interpretation.
5. Communicate with peace officers, Justice of the Peace, County and District Attorneys, Attorney General and other public officials in the performance of duties.
6. Prepare budgetary documents for program activities.
7. May be required to supervise support staff.
8. Attend work regularly and observe approved work hours in accordance with agency leave and attendance policies.
9. Perform other duties as assigned.

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS and REQUIREMENTS

Education - Graduation from an accredited law school with a J.D. or LLB. is required.

Experience - Minimum of five (5) years' experience as a licensed, practicing attorney.

Preferred Experience ¿ Experience in work involving state agency management of contracts or grants, the federal common grant rule, real estate and leasing transactions, TxGMS, procurement and solicitation processes and laws, procurement protests, contract dispute resolution, intellectual property, IT licenses, and leasing laws.

Licensure and/or Certification - Must possess a valid driver license from state of residence. Must be licensed by the State Bar of Texas.

Interpersonal Skills - Must demonstrate an ability to exercise poise, tact, diplomacy and an ability to establish and maintain positive, working/professional relationships with internal/external customers.

Presentation/Communication Skills - Must be able to construct and deliver clear, concise, persuasive, and professional presentations to a variety of audiences and/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.

Regulatory Knowledge - Working knowledge of, or the ability to rapidly assimilate information related to TXDPS, State and Federal regulations, legislation, guidelines, policies and procedures. Knowledge of: terminology, research methods and techniques, preparation and use of legal documents, administrative and court procedures, law office practices and procedures, relevant laws, and the details of the English language as it is applied in legal documents; federal and state criminal law, public information, and criminal intelligence laws, including affecting the operation and administration of intelligence operations and oversight, Code of Federal Regulations for criminal investigation and data collection to include electronic data communications and retention policies as well as 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.

Travel and Schedule - Availability for after-hour and weekend work is required. Hybrid work schedule involving a mix of telecommuting and in office work is an option subject to the needs of the department and management.

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/

Current DPS employees who submit application for posted DPS positions shall notify their immediate supervisor in writing.

A DPS employee who is selected for a position in the same salary group and state title as their current position will be transferred with no salary change.

A DPS employee who is selected for a position in their current salary group with a new state title may receive an increase of no more than 3.4% over their current salary regardless of posted salary.

Salary is contingent upon qualifications and is subject to salary administration and budgetary restrictions.

State of Texas retirees may be rehired for full-time, non-commissioned positions only under very specific circumstances.