Staff Attorney (Austin)

Texas Workforce Commission; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 80,000 - 89,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Family-friendly

Competitive salary

Retirement plan

Medical insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Texas Workforce Commission in Austin seeks a Staff Attorney to interpret laws, prepare legal documents, and provide counsel in a fast-paced office

based at 101 E. 15th Street. Requires Texas Bar admission and ABA-approved law degree. Office-based role with opportunities for advancement within the Public Commissioner’s office.

Qualifications

• Requires ABA-accredited law degree and Texas Bar admission.
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate legal research and reviews.
• Experience interpreting laws and regulations and providing counsel.

Responsibilities

• Plan and coordinate legal research and review unemployment insurance, employer tax, wage claims, and housing discrimination cases.
• Provide legal advice and counsel to the Commissioner on proposed state and federal legislation.
• Produce effective correspondence and oral communications.
• Coordinate with agency staff and Office of General Counsel to complete work.
• Assist with other duties as assigned in support of office responsibilities.

Skills

Teamwork

Multitasking

Communication

Interpersonal skills

State government knowledge

Legal research

Education

Juris Doctor (ABA approved)

TX State Bar admission

Job description

Job Description - Staff Attorney (Austin) (827150)

Job Description

Staff Attorney (Austin) - ( 827150 )

Description

The Texas Workforce Commission, a Certified Best Place for Working Parents, is looking for a Staff Attorney to work in a dynamic, fast-paced office on matters that impact the lives of Texans on a daily basis. The job is based in our agency headquarters on the north lawn of the Texas State Capitol in Austin. TWC offers competitive salaries, extensive opportunities for training and development, and fantastic benefits. The selected candidate will work in-office at 101 E. 15th Street, Austin, Texas.

TWC is not considering applications from individuals who require sponsorship for an employment visa, including those with H1B visas or those currently on student or postgraduate visas. You must be a Texas resident to work for the Texas Workforce Commission or willing to relocate to Texas.

Who We Are:

The Commissioner Representing the Public in the Texas Workforce Commission serves as the representative for the public, promoting and supporting the growth of Texas’s world-class employers and talented workforce. The Office of the Public Commissioner supports the Commissioner in work that advances innovative workforce and economic development strategies in collaboration with education partners, local leaders, and industry to preserve Texas’ competitive edge as the best place to work in the world.

Who You Are:

• The Attorney II-III performs moderately complex to highly complex (senior-level) legal work. Primary responsibilities include interpreting laws and regulations, preparing legal documents, and rendering legal advice and counsel in weekly caseload in cases under TWC’s jurisdiction, including unemployment insurance benefits, employer tax liability, wage claims, child labor, and employment and housing discrimination. Works under general to limited supervision, with moderate to considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
• Weekly caseload responsibilities will include consulting with attorneys and staff in the Office of the Public Commissioner, program divisions, and Office of General Counsel and may include research and analysis of legal issues that arise in connection with TWC’s policy decisions in the broad range of programs and services available through TWC, summaries of which can be found at: /www.twc.texas.gov/programs
• The Office of the Public Commissioner is comprised of a small but dedicated team that collaborates to best prepare the Commissioner for all of the legal and policy decisions made in the performance of his role, as well as outreach, stakeholder meetings, speaking engagements, and office management. The Attorney II-III will be expected to assist with other duties as assigned in connection with all office responsibilities. Opportunity for advancement will be available for a candidate that demonstrates proficiency and willingness to learn and further support the office’s efforts.

You Will be Trusted To:

• Plan and organize or coordinate legal research and review of unemployment insurance, employer tax liability, wage claim, employment and housing discrimination, and child labor cases based upon applicable sections of the state and federal laws such as the Texas Unemployment Compensation Act, interpret laws and regulations, prepare legal documents, render legal advice, and provide counsel to the Commissioner.
• Support the work of the Public Commissioner’s office by developing case recommendations, conduct legal and legislative research.
• Produce effective correspondence and oral communications.
• Coordinate with other agency employees and legal staff to complete work.
• Provide legal advice to the commissioner on proposed state and federal legislation that may affect the agency.
• Perform related work as assigned.

You Qualify With:

• Attorney II: Graduation from an accredited law school approved by the American Bar Association and admission to the State Bar of Texas plus one year of experience in the full-time practice of law, or one year of full-time experience in a responsible position involving legal work as a primary duty, or one year of full-time experience involving the legal aspects of administration in the fields of industrial or labor relations.
• Attorney III: Graduation from an accredited law school approved by the American Bar Association and admission to the State Bar of Texas plus two years of experience in the full-time practice of law, or two years of full-time experience in a responsible position involving legal work as a primary duty, or two years of full-time experience involving the legal aspects of administration in the fields of industrial or labor relations.

You Are a Great Fit With:

• Ability to work in a team environment, multitask and work well under pressure while meeting deadlines.
• Skill in communicating effectively orally and in writing.
• Interpersonal skills to form strong working relationships and achieve goals.
• Knowledge of State of Texas governmental agency structure.
• Knowledge of Laws & Regulations affecting TWC.
• Experience interpreting laws & regulations.
• Ability to organize and maintain complex systems. Experience rendering legal advice and counsel.

You Gain:

• A Family Friendly Certified Workplace.
• Competitive starting salary: $7,155.00-$7,976.00/month (depending on experience)
• Defined Retirement Benefit Plan
• Optional 401(k) and 457 accounts
• Medical Insurance
• Paid time off, including time for vacation, sick and family care leave
• Additional benefits for active employees can be found at https://www.ers.texas.gov/Active-Employees/Health-Benefits.

VETERANS:

Use your military skills to qualify for this position or other jobs! Go to www.texasskillstowork.com to translate your military work experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications, and skill sets. Also, you can compare this position to military occupations (MOS) at the Texas State Auditor's Office by pasting this link into your browser: https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_Legal.pdf