Texas Veterans Commission
TVC - General Counsel (General Counsel II)
Texas Veterans Commission, Austin, Texas, us, 78716
TVC - General Counsel (General Counsel II)
Texas Veterans Commission
General Description The General Counsel reports to the Executive Director and represents the Commission performing complex legal and analytical work. Work involves planning and coordinating a variety of legal activities to ensure prompt and effective actions involving the provision of legal services within the agency. Telework is available and determined by the division based on performance and can be terminated at any time.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Serves as chief legal counsel to the Texas Veterans Commission.
Provides legal advice, training and guidance to commissioners, executive staff, and agency personnel.
Reviews laws, rules, and regulations affecting agency operations and administration.
Advises on the interpretation, application, and enforcement of government code and agency rules including Open Meetings Act, Public Information Act, and Texas Administrative Code.
Reviews and edits legal documents, bills, administrative rules, grants, contracts, memorandums of understanding, and related documents.
Serves as the agency liaison to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) for pending and anticipated litigation, public information requests, and other agency matters.
Assists in representation of the agency with the OAG in civil and criminal actions brought by or against the agency, supporting written and oral discovery matters.
Coordinates requests for legal opinions from the OAG.
Serves as the agency’s Ethics Officer and Records Management Officer.
Advises agency management on employment actions, ensuring compliance with all employment discrimination statutes, rules, and regulations.
Provides legal advice to the agency on policy decision making and identifies appropriate legal solutions.
Provides updates on pertinent legal issues affecting the agency.
Attends various meetings on behalf of the agency and its governing body.
Assists in the agency’s strategic planning process.
May train, coordinate, and lead the work of others.
Work hours beyond 8‑5 may be required for work‑related functions.
Travels as needed to perform legal and training duties.
Performs related work as assigned.
Qualifications Minimum Experience and Education
Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (JD) degree and licensed to practice law in the State of Texas.
Member in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.
Five years of extensive legal experience.
Additional Requirements
Provide a current Certificate of Good Standing from the State Bar of Texas.
Skill in effective oral and written communication.
Recent legal writing sample.
Must be able to perform essential job functions.
Available to work over 40 hours as needed.
Valid Texas driver’s license provided within 90 days of hire.
Preferred Experience and Qualifications
Experience advising a state agency or government entity.
Experience in employment law.
Experience drafting and revising contracts and memoranda of understanding.
Experience with grant agreements, laws, rules, and regulations.
Knowledge of state contracting authority and processes.
Knowledge of the Texas Public Information Act and Open Meetings Act.
Knowledge of administrative and government law with emphasis on rulemaking.
Honorably discharged veteran.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Ability to prepare legal documents, conduct research, and summarize findings.
Interpret and apply laws and administrative rules affecting the agency.
Competence in using legal databases.
Excellent research and writing skills.
Ability to develop and maintain professional and positive working relationships.
Ability to multi‑task and adapt to changing demands.
Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Environmental Physical Conditions Normal office work environment, mostly sedentary. Illness may involve walking; standing; remaining stationary for long periods; pulling and pushing; kneeling, stooping, bending; lifting and carrying items up to 30 pounds. Extensive telephone usage and repetitive hand/wrist/finger motions while using the computer.
Notes to Applicants To receive military employment preference, applicable source documents (DD Form 214, NA Form 13038, VA Summary Benefits Letter, or DD 1300) must be provided before an interview can be extended. College transcripts, licenses, certifications, etc. must also be provided before an interview can be extended. Attaching documents to the application is preferred. A legal writing sample will be required at the interview. Reasonable accommodations for the interview process are accepted. This position has been designated as a security‑sensitive position; a criminal background investigation will be conducted on the final candidate. Telephonic inquiries are not accepted. Applicants scheduled for interviews will be contacted.
Equal Employment Opportunity The Texas Veterans Commission does not discriminate on the basis of person’s color, race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, or any other protected status.
Veterans Information The Texas Veterans Commission is committed to hiring veterans and is proud to employ the highest percentage of veterans among all state agencies.
Seniority Level Mid‑Senior level
Employment Type Part‑time
Job Function Legal
Industries Government Administration
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General Description The General Counsel reports to the Executive Director and represents the Commission performing complex legal and analytical work. Work involves planning and coordinating a variety of legal activities to ensure prompt and effective actions involving the provision of legal services within the agency. Telework is available and determined by the division based on performance and can be terminated at any time.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Serves as chief legal counsel to the Texas Veterans Commission.
Provides legal advice, training and guidance to commissioners, executive staff, and agency personnel.
Reviews laws, rules, and regulations affecting agency operations and administration.
Advises on the interpretation, application, and enforcement of government code and agency rules including Open Meetings Act, Public Information Act, and Texas Administrative Code.
Reviews and edits legal documents, bills, administrative rules, grants, contracts, memorandums of understanding, and related documents.
Serves as the agency liaison to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) for pending and anticipated litigation, public information requests, and other agency matters.
Assists in representation of the agency with the OAG in civil and criminal actions brought by or against the agency, supporting written and oral discovery matters.
Coordinates requests for legal opinions from the OAG.
Serves as the agency’s Ethics Officer and Records Management Officer.
Advises agency management on employment actions, ensuring compliance with all employment discrimination statutes, rules, and regulations.
Provides legal advice to the agency on policy decision making and identifies appropriate legal solutions.
Provides updates on pertinent legal issues affecting the agency.
Attends various meetings on behalf of the agency and its governing body.
Assists in the agency’s strategic planning process.
May train, coordinate, and lead the work of others.
Work hours beyond 8‑5 may be required for work‑related functions.
Travels as needed to perform legal and training duties.
Performs related work as assigned.
Qualifications Minimum Experience and Education
Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (JD) degree and licensed to practice law in the State of Texas.
Member in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.
Five years of extensive legal experience.
Additional Requirements
Provide a current Certificate of Good Standing from the State Bar of Texas.
Skill in effective oral and written communication.
Recent legal writing sample.
Must be able to perform essential job functions.
Available to work over 40 hours as needed.
Valid Texas driver’s license provided within 90 days of hire.
Preferred Experience and Qualifications
Experience advising a state agency or government entity.
Experience in employment law.
Experience drafting and revising contracts and memoranda of understanding.
Experience with grant agreements, laws, rules, and regulations.
Knowledge of state contracting authority and processes.
Knowledge of the Texas Public Information Act and Open Meetings Act.
Knowledge of administrative and government law with emphasis on rulemaking.
Honorably discharged veteran.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Ability to prepare legal documents, conduct research, and summarize findings.
Interpret and apply laws and administrative rules affecting the agency.
Competence in using legal databases.
Excellent research and writing skills.
Ability to develop and maintain professional and positive working relationships.
Ability to multi‑task and adapt to changing demands.
Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Environmental Physical Conditions Normal office work environment, mostly sedentary. Illness may involve walking; standing; remaining stationary for long periods; pulling and pushing; kneeling, stooping, bending; lifting and carrying items up to 30 pounds. Extensive telephone usage and repetitive hand/wrist/finger motions while using the computer.
Notes to Applicants To receive military employment preference, applicable source documents (DD Form 214, NA Form 13038, VA Summary Benefits Letter, or DD 1300) must be provided before an interview can be extended. College transcripts, licenses, certifications, etc. must also be provided before an interview can be extended. Attaching documents to the application is preferred. A legal writing sample will be required at the interview. Reasonable accommodations for the interview process are accepted. This position has been designated as a security‑sensitive position; a criminal background investigation will be conducted on the final candidate. Telephonic inquiries are not accepted. Applicants scheduled for interviews will be contacted.
Equal Employment Opportunity The Texas Veterans Commission does not discriminate on the basis of person’s color, race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, or any other protected status.
Veterans Information The Texas Veterans Commission is committed to hiring veterans and is proud to employ the highest percentage of veterans among all state agencies.
Seniority Level Mid‑Senior level
Employment Type Part‑time
Job Function Legal
Industries Government Administration
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