Policy Attorney III – Child Welfare & Legislation Expert

Your Texas Benefits; Austin, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 71,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% paid health insurance

Retirement plans with lifetime monthly

Paid vacation, holidays, and sick time

Dental/vision/life optional

Flexible spending accounts

Employee discounts

Job summary

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) in Austin seeks a Policy Attorney III to support the General Counsel’s Office and CPS programs. The attorney will advise on policies, rules, and legal matters, perform research, draft memoranda, and assist legislative initiatives as needed.

The role requires a Texas license to practice law, strong written and analytical abilities, and the capacity to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced state agency environment.

Qualifications

• Jurist Doctor degree and good standing with Texas State Bar.
• Strong research and writing skills with ability to draft legal memoranda.

Responsibilities

• Draft and review policies, rules, and other legal documents (30%).
• Draft MOUs for CPS and other DFPS programs (10%).
• Provide legal counsel on CPS and agency issues (20%).
• Conduct legal research on funding, ethics, and information sharing (20%).
• Handle informal appeals and legal sufficiency reviews (5%).
• Support legislative tasks and provide witness testimony when needed (5%).
• Assist DFPS programs to ensure compliance with laws (10%).

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Public policy

Policy analysis

Collaboration

Education

JD degree

Job description

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) in Austin seeks a Policy Attorney III to support the General Counsel’s Office and CPS programs. The attorney will advise on policies, rules, and legal matters, perform research, draft memoranda, and assist legislative initiatives as needed.

The role requires a Texas license to practice law, strong written and analytical abilities, and the capacity to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced state agency environment.