Description

The Texas General Land Office is seeking an Attorney III within the General Counsel – General Law Department of the agency.

Performs legal work involving examining and preparing legal documents, interpreting laws and regulations, rendering legal advice and counsel, consulting with trial attorneys, conducting hearings, and preparing cases for agency hearings and/or trials.

Our Mission:

The Texas General Land Office primarily serves the schoolchildren, veterans, and the environment of Texas. The agency does so by preserving our history, maximizing state revenue through innovative administration, and through the prudent stewardship of state lands and natural resources.

What Your Contributions to the GLO Will be: 

        Advises client divisions, and sometimes the public, with limited supervision, on legal issues related to contracts and solicitations. Represents client divisions in an effective manner by responding to the needs of the divisions promptly and keeping up to date on legal issues relevant to the agency's business objectives. Prepares legal opinions and memoranda, correspondence, proposals, and other legal documents related to assigned responsibilities.

        Prepares, reviews, negotiates, and coordinates legal contracts and solicitations for client divisions, working with GLO contract specialists and outside vendors. Assists on Trademark matters, coordinates with client divisions and outside counsel in the handling of various trademark matters, and prepares documents related to the same.

        Assists the Attorney General's office or outside counsel in the representation of the agency in civil actions brought by or against the agency on legal matters and at functions related to assigned responsibilities.

        Reviews and analyzes proposed bills, rules, and regulations affecting agency operations and administration. Drafts or assists in the drafting and development of agency policies, proposed laws, and rules and regulations affecting agency operations and administration. Works with client divisions to implement procedures mandated by legislation. Proactively assumes any and all duties necessary to fulfill the agency's obligations.

        Provides legal advice and counsel on general legal matters affecting the agency and not covered by other sections within the Office of General Counsel. Complete special projects for General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, and Director of General Law.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (JD) degree. Must be licensed as an attorney by the State of Texas. Must be a member in good standing of the State Bar of Texas.
• Two (2) years of legal experience as a licensed attorney in the State of Texas with an emphasis on contracts and procurement law supporting a government entity or corporate organization.
• Two (2) years of legal experience in advising on matters involving government contract solicitations, including contract awards and protests.

Preferred Qualifications:  

• Three (3) years working in legal drafting and reviewing government contracts and reviewing government solicitations.
• Experience working with the Texas Public Information Act and HIPAA.
• Experience with agency rulemaking and the APA.
• Experience with mortgage lending, land sales, and real estate law.
• Experience with environmental law, including with coastal protection, GOMESA, CERPA, NRDA, and GCPD.
• Experience working with federal grants.
• Experience working on IT contracts and procurement.

Physical Requirements:

This position requires the employee to primarily perform sedentary office work; however, mobility (moving around the worksite) is routinely required to carry out some duties. This position requires extensive computer, telephone and client/ customer contact and communication. It requires the ability to move and position oneself as needed for filing and similar routine office duties. The job also requires normal cognitive abilities requiring the ability to learn, recall, and apply certain practices and policies. It requires the stamina to maintain attention to detail despite interruptions. Ability to read printed materials and computer screens. The individual must be able to move and transport records, documents, boxes, and all related information and materials, weighing up to 20 pounds when required.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Free Parking
• Defined Retirement Benefit Plan Optional 401(k) and 457 accounts
• Medical Insurance - State pays 100% of the health plan premium for eligible full-time employees and 50% of the premium for their eligible dependents. The State pays 50% of the eligible part-time employees’ premium and 25% for eligible dependents.
• Optional Benefits such as dental, vision, and life insurance.
•  Minimum of 96+ Hours of Annual Leave a year **Annual leave increases with length of service.
• Professional Development Opportunities: The GLO offers numerous courses to help our employees grow using resources through LinkedIn Learning and our EAP provider.

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:

Military Crosswalk for Occupational Category - Legal

How to Apply:

        To be considered, please complete a State of Texas Application for Employment and apply online at www.workintexas.com or in the CAPPS Career Section. 
        You may apply for the job directly through the CAPPS Career Section. It is not necessary to apply both through Work in Texas and the CAPPS Career Section. 
         Applications must be fully completed with a detailed job history, including job title, employment dates, employer name, supervisor's name and phone number, and a summary of responsibilities. Incomplete applications may lead to disqualification. Please be aware that resumes will not be accepted in place of a completed application.
        In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.  

        A position utilizing this classification will be designated as security sensitive according to the Texas Labor Code, Section 301.042.   

        Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.