Family Law - General Attorney in Austin, TX

Government

Austin, TX

Family Law - General Attorney in Austin, TX

Attorney

No

Job Title: Attorney IV - Senior Staff Attorney

Job Responsibilities:
The Senior Staff Attorney performs advanced (senior-level) attorney work for the Office of General Counsel, providing in-house legal and administrative services to the organization and offering educational training and technical assistance on juvenile-related matters to counties, juvenile boards, and probation offices. Key responsibilities include:

- Providing legal advice on personnel, juvenile corrections, supervision practices, open records, open meetings, administrative procedure, and transactional matters.
- Offering technical assistance on juvenile-related matters to juvenile justice practitioners across the state.
- Reviewing agency investigations and administrative hearings.
- Representing the agency in administrative hearings before the State Office of Administrative Hearings, particularly in cases involving potential revocation or suspension of certification for juvenile probation or supervision officers or ineligibility for certification for other juvenile justice professionals.
- Serving as the hearing officer in parole revocation hearings and developing proposals for decision in employee termination grievances.
- Performing legal activities and overseeing the records and public information section, which includes records management, retention, and maintenance of youth records in compliance with state rules and agency policy.
- Managing a confidential grievance system through which grievances concerning the care, treatment, services, or conditions provided for youth in state-operated facilities or programs are filed and reviewed.
- Performing legal activities related to the oversight and regulation of juvenile probation departments and facilities.
- May supervise the work of others and work under minimal supervision with considerable latitude for initiative and independent judgment.
- May be required to work in excess of 40 hours per week and be on-call.

Essential functions include planning and organizing legal activities, drafting legal documents, conducting and participating in various hearings, managing due process matters, serving as a liaison to the Attorney General’s Office, preparing cases for court, assisting in employment-related matters, consulting on state and county investigations, reviewing court commitment documents, managing records and public information operations, hiring and training staff, providing legal technical assistance, advising on legal matters, assisting in legal activities related to juvenile probation departments, reviewing drafts of laws and policies, assisting in achieving agency objectives, interfacing with stakeholders, conducting trainings, drafting memoranda, and performing related duties as needed. The position requires compliance with agency safety policies, attendance at work and meetings as scheduled, and travel up to 25% of the time.

Education and Experience Information:
- Doctor of Jurisprudence (.) Degree or a Bachelor of Laws (.)
- Must be licensed as an attorney by the State of Texas and in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.
- Five (5) years of full-time wage-earning experience as an attorney.
- Experience and education substitutions may be considered.
- Preferred qualifications include seven (7) years of experience as an attorney with three (3) years in the juvenile justice system, supervisory experience, prosecution or litigation experience, state agency experience, experience in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts, and experience in employment matters.

Requirements for Continued Employment:
- Maintain required licensure/certification.
- Remain in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of legal principles, state and federal laws, agency administrative rules, and legal proceedings.
- Skill in legal research, writing, analysis, and using computers and software.
- Ability to conduct hearings, prepare cases for trial, write opinions and briefs, and interpret laws affecting the agency and juvenile justice system.
- Ability to communicate effectively, work collaboratively, prioritize tasks, and supervise others.

Salary Information:
- Salary (Pay Basis): $11, monthly
- Overtime Status: Exempt

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:
- Heavy lifting and carrying up to 25 lbs.
- Pulling, pushing, repeated bending, identifying colors, depth perception, operating motor equipment, reaching above shoulder, dual simultaneous grasping, manual/finger dexterity.

Veterans:
Veterans' preference is given for this position, and relevant documentation such as DD Form 214 must be attached to the application.

Additional Information:
Candidates requiring reasonable accommodations for interviews should inform the hiring representative in advance. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted, and due to the high volume of applications, telephone inquiries are not accepted. The organization is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability in employment or service provision.