Attorney II-III

Job Posting:

#00039707

Opened:

01/30/2024

Closes:

Open Until Filled

Position Title:

Attorney II-III

Class/Group:

3503-3504 / B24-B26

Military Occupation Specialty Code:

Coast Guard LGL10, Air Force 92J0

Fair Labor Standards Act Status:

Exempt

Number of Vacancies:

1

Division/Section:

Executive Administration / Office of the General Counsel

Salary Range:

$6000.00 - $7416.67 / monthly

Duration:

Regular

Hours Worked Weekly:

40

Work Schedule:

This position may be eligible for flexible work hours and/or a hybrid work schedule if certain program guidelines are met; working arrangements may change at any time at the sole discretion of the agency.

Travel:

Occasional 

Agency Address:

300 West 15th Street, #1300 / Austin, Texas 78701

Web site:

https://dir.texas.gov/

Refer Inquiries to:

People and Culture Office

Telephone:

(512) 475-4612 or (512) 463-5920

How To Apply:

• Select “Apply Online” to apply for the job at https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en

• You must create a CAPPS Career Section candidate profile or be logged in to apply.

• Update your profile and apply for the job by navigating through the pages and steps.

• Once ready, select “Submit” on the “Review and Submit” page.

• If you have problems accessing the CAPPS Career Section, please email the CAPPS Recruiting Help Desk at [email protected]

Special Instructions:

• Applicants must provide in-depth information in the EXPERIENCE & CREDENTIALS section to demonstrate how they meet the position qualifications. Incomplete applications may result in disqualification.

• Resumes may be uploaded as an attachment but are not accepted in lieu of the information required in the EXPERIENCE & CREDENTIALS section of the application.

Interview Place/Time:

Candidates will be notified for appointments as determined by the selection committee.

Selective Service Registration:

Section 651.005 of the Government Code requires males, ages 18 through 25 years, to provide proof of their Selective Service registration or proof of their exemption from the requirement as a condition of state employment.

H-1B Visa Sponsorship:

We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Department of Information Resources does not exclude anyone from consideration for recruitment, selection, appointment, training, promotion, retention, or any other personnel action, or deny any benefits or participation in programs or activities, which it sponsors on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or disability.  Please call 512-463-5920 to request reasonable accommodation.

What We Do

The Texas Department of Information Resources is the state agency charged with protecting the state’s data and critical technology infrastructure, managing a multi-billion-dollar cooperative contracts program, and providing strategic technology leadership, solutions, and innovation to all levels of Texas government.  DIR is a fast-paced and collaborative environment with highly motivated and engaged employees dedicated to achieving the best value for the state.

Position Summary

This role performs moderately complex (journey-level) to highly complex (senior-level) legal work for the Office of the General Counsel. Work involves planning and implementing legal tasks, preparing legal documents, including contracts and rules, interpreting laws and regulations, and rendering legal advice and counsel. Works under general to limited supervision with moderate to considerable latitude for the use of independent judgement.

• Prepares and/or assists in preparing, reviewing, revising, and drafting contracts, including technology contracts and license agreements; prepares and/or assists in reviewing, revising, and drafting interagency contracts, inter-local contracts, and memoranda of understanding; Prepares solicitation documents.
• Assists with contract negotiations with vendors and assists and advises staff as necessary on such contracts.
• Assists with advising staff on legal and regulatory aspects of procurement functions and issues that arise in contract management.
• Assists with interpreting and advising staff on the application of laws and regulations that affect the agency; research legal issues and advises staff on issues related to contract terms and conditions, procurement, rulemaking, privacy, confidentiality, security, open records, and relevant federal laws and rules.
• Assists with researching and preparing other legal documents as necessary; reviews drafts of laws, rules, and regulations affecting agency operations and bills or amendments for legislative consideration.
• Assists agency in complying with open meetings and open records laws and regulations; assists in resolving substantive and procedural issues.  
• Serves as the agency’s assistant ethics officer by providing advice and counsel to agency staff and Board, including the following specific job functions.
• Provides advice and counsel on ethical issues and guidelines to agency employees and board members.
• Provides an internal review of other agency policies to ensure agency consistency and integration with the agency’s ethics philosophies.
• Integrates the agency ethics message throughout the agency’s culture and policies; and
• Promptly conducts investigations and prepares written investigative reports as necessary pursuant to complaints and allegations of ethical wrongdoing or conflicts of interest.  
• Performs other work-related duties as assigned.

Education

• Graduation from an accredited law school with an LL.B. or a J.D. degree
• Must be licensed to practice law in the state of Texas.

Experience and Training Required

• Minimum of three (3) to five (5) years of experience as a practicing and licensed attorney.
• Minimum of one (1) to two (2) years of experience providing legal support or working with contracting and procurement functions.

Experience and Training Preferred

• Experience with analyzing, implementing, and ensuring compliance with legislation.
• Experience with open records and open meetings laws
• Familiarity drafting and revising information technology contracts.
• Familiarity negotiating information technology contracts.
• Familiarity with applicable information technology laws and regulations
• Familiarity with state and federal procurement laws and contracting best practices.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of Texas state government, state legislative processes, and the state budget process
• Excellent skill in communicating both verbally and in writing, in a clear and concise manner.
• Skill in finding solutions for or to deal proactively with work-related problems, including personnel related issues.
• Skill in legal research, writing, and analysis
• Demonstrated ability to communicate with people of diverse backgrounds and organizational levels.
• Demonstrated ability to work on concurrent tasks in a fast-paced environment while effectively organizing, prioritizing, and coordinating work assignments.
• Ability to prepare and review contracts. including the ability to select and apply the appropriate contract instrument for various acquisition strategies, knowledge of the principles and practices of state of Texas procurement laws, regulations, rules, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to act in a self-confident manner to effectively communicate and promote the ideas, goals, and mission of the agency to the public.
• Ability to consult and provide sound advice and recommendations that enable others to make business decisions in the best interest of the project and/or the agency.
• Ability to serve internal agency customers by focusing effort on meeting their needs, understanding their concerns, and effectively resolving issues.
• Ability to demonstrate conduct conforming to a set of values and accepted standards.
• Ability to effectively interpret policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Ability to reach outcomes that gain the support and acceptance of all parties, including knowledge of negotiation strategies and techniques.
• Ability to exercise courtesy, tact, and diplomacy in all communications, including the ability to exercise discretion when handling confidential information. 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and cordial working relationships at all organizational levels, including agency management, direct supervisors, co-workers, internal and external customers.
• Ability to understand, follow and convey brief oral and/or written instructions.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, and to support and contribute to a cohesive team environment.
• Ability to work under pressure and exacting schedules to complete assigned tasks.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule to meet required deadlines.
• Ability to comply with all agency policy and applicable laws.
• Ability to comply with all applicable safety rules, regulations, and standards.

Computer Skills

• Proficiency in the use of a computer and applicable software necessary to perform work assignments, e.g., word processing, spreadsheets, meetings, and email. (Microsoft Word, Excel, Teams, and Outlook preferred).

Other Requirements

• Regular and punctual attendance at the workplace.
• Criminal background check.
• Occasional travel.
• Occasional overtime.

Working Conditions

• Frequent use of computers, copiers, printers, and telephones.
• Frequent standing, walking, sitting, listening, and talking.
• Frequent work under stress, as a team member, and in direct contact with others.
• Occasional bending, stooping, lifting, and climbing.