Texas Education Agency
Associate Counsel for Compliance and Investigations (Attorney IV)
Texas Education Agency, Austin, Texas, us, 78716
Associate Counsel for Compliance and Investigations (Attorney IV)
Mission
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) will improve outcomes for all public‑school students in the state by providing leadership, guidance, and support to school systems.
Core Values
We are Determined: We are committed and intentional in the pursuit of our main purpose, to improve outcomes for students.
We are People‑Centered: We strive to attract, develop, and retain the most committed talent, representing the diversity of Texas, each contributing to our common vision for students.
We are Learners: We seek evidence, reflect on success and failure, and try new approaches in the pursuit of excellence for our students.
We are Servant Leaders: Above all else, we are public servants working to improve opportunities for students and provide support to those who serve them.
Salary and Hiring Information New hires, re‑hires, and internal hires will typically receive a starting salary between the posted minimum and the average pay of employees in their same classification. Offers are commensurate with the candidate’s experience and qualifications, and the top half of the posted range is reserved for candidates who exceed the required qualifications. The 89th legislature approved a 6% salary increase for licensed attorneys hired into positions with this job classification title; the posted range already reflects this increase and an additional line item will be included upon hire.
Position Overview At the Texas Education Agency’s Office of Governance (OG), the Associate Counsel for Compliance & Investigations will lead efforts to resolve complex compliance matters and support special investigations that safeguard educational integrity. The role involves guiding investigations from early stages, drafting reports, shaping corrective action plans, and collaborating with Local Education Agency counsel, school system leaders, and Education Service Centers to ensure compliance with state and federal education laws. Reporting directly to the Associate Commissioner of Compliance and Investigations, this is an opportunity to combine legal expertise with a passion for public service. Flexible work location within Texas may be considered.
Essential Functions
Develop statutorily required preliminary and final reports; draft and negotiate informal resolutions for investigations; drive timely and effective case closure.
Provide strategic guidance to the Compliance & Inquiries division on agency authority and risk areas for investigations; oversee procedure revisions; conduct depositions, witness interviews, and document request reviews; deliver internal training to strengthen statutory interpretation and evidentiary sufficiency.
Review relevant legislation during legislative sessions; provide legal analysis on its impact; monitor changes; serve as a resource witness in legislative hearings.
Collaborate with TEA’s Office of Legal Services and the Office of the Attorney General to support administrative hearings, informal review meetings, and investigation‑related meetings; prepare team members for testimony.
Provide legal guidance to agency management on programs and issues involving legal risks; conduct legal research; review laws, rules, and regulations; recommend changes to ensure compliance and mitigate risk.
Qualifications Minimum Qualifications
Education: Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (JD) degree.
Licenses: Licensed attorney in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.
Experience: At least four (4) years of legal work including report writing, complaints, investigations, dispute resolution, or compliance monitoring.
Other Qualifications
Belief that all Texas students can achieve high levels and succeed in college, career, or the military.
Skill in identifying problems and evaluating options; use logic and reasoning to assess strengths, weaknesses, and solutions.
Superior project and time management skills with a proven track record across concurrent projects and shifting priorities.
Knowledge of legal principles, state and federal laws, regulations, and agency administrative rules, including the Texas Administrative Code and Texas Education Code.
Research skill in local, state, and federal laws and regulations; including FERPA.
Management ability: Manage up to leadership, influence peers without direct lines.
Experience in complaint resolution processes, conflict and dispute resolution procedures, and compliance monitoring.
Ability to prepare legal documents, formulate and coordinate policies and procedures, conduct research, interpret laws, summarize findings, prepare cases for trial, conduct hearings, communicate effectively, and review the work of others.
Demonstrated skill in decision‑making, problem‑solving, interpersonal communication, and coaching.
Desire to self‑reflect, give and receive feedback, and continuously improve.
Teamwork: Work as a contributing member of a team, establishing and maintaining positive relationships with all staff levels.
Preferred: Experience in a regulatory state agency or a local education agency setting; supervisory or project management experience.
Application Information Resume and tailored cover letter are required attachments; incomplete applications will not be considered. Successful candidates will submit to a national criminal history background check.
Equal Opportunity Employment As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age or veteran status, unless an applicant is entitled to the military employment preference.
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Core Values
We are Determined: We are committed and intentional in the pursuit of our main purpose, to improve outcomes for students.
We are People‑Centered: We strive to attract, develop, and retain the most committed talent, representing the diversity of Texas, each contributing to our common vision for students.
We are Learners: We seek evidence, reflect on success and failure, and try new approaches in the pursuit of excellence for our students.
We are Servant Leaders: Above all else, we are public servants working to improve opportunities for students and provide support to those who serve them.
Salary and Hiring Information New hires, re‑hires, and internal hires will typically receive a starting salary between the posted minimum and the average pay of employees in their same classification. Offers are commensurate with the candidate’s experience and qualifications, and the top half of the posted range is reserved for candidates who exceed the required qualifications. The 89th legislature approved a 6% salary increase for licensed attorneys hired into positions with this job classification title; the posted range already reflects this increase and an additional line item will be included upon hire.
Position Overview At the Texas Education Agency’s Office of Governance (OG), the Associate Counsel for Compliance & Investigations will lead efforts to resolve complex compliance matters and support special investigations that safeguard educational integrity. The role involves guiding investigations from early stages, drafting reports, shaping corrective action plans, and collaborating with Local Education Agency counsel, school system leaders, and Education Service Centers to ensure compliance with state and federal education laws. Reporting directly to the Associate Commissioner of Compliance and Investigations, this is an opportunity to combine legal expertise with a passion for public service. Flexible work location within Texas may be considered.
Essential Functions
Develop statutorily required preliminary and final reports; draft and negotiate informal resolutions for investigations; drive timely and effective case closure.
Provide strategic guidance to the Compliance & Inquiries division on agency authority and risk areas for investigations; oversee procedure revisions; conduct depositions, witness interviews, and document request reviews; deliver internal training to strengthen statutory interpretation and evidentiary sufficiency.
Review relevant legislation during legislative sessions; provide legal analysis on its impact; monitor changes; serve as a resource witness in legislative hearings.
Collaborate with TEA’s Office of Legal Services and the Office of the Attorney General to support administrative hearings, informal review meetings, and investigation‑related meetings; prepare team members for testimony.
Provide legal guidance to agency management on programs and issues involving legal risks; conduct legal research; review laws, rules, and regulations; recommend changes to ensure compliance and mitigate risk.
Qualifications Minimum Qualifications
Education: Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (JD) degree.
Licenses: Licensed attorney in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.
Experience: At least four (4) years of legal work including report writing, complaints, investigations, dispute resolution, or compliance monitoring.
Other Qualifications
Belief that all Texas students can achieve high levels and succeed in college, career, or the military.
Skill in identifying problems and evaluating options; use logic and reasoning to assess strengths, weaknesses, and solutions.
Superior project and time management skills with a proven track record across concurrent projects and shifting priorities.
Knowledge of legal principles, state and federal laws, regulations, and agency administrative rules, including the Texas Administrative Code and Texas Education Code.
Research skill in local, state, and federal laws and regulations; including FERPA.
Management ability: Manage up to leadership, influence peers without direct lines.
Experience in complaint resolution processes, conflict and dispute resolution procedures, and compliance monitoring.
Ability to prepare legal documents, formulate and coordinate policies and procedures, conduct research, interpret laws, summarize findings, prepare cases for trial, conduct hearings, communicate effectively, and review the work of others.
Demonstrated skill in decision‑making, problem‑solving, interpersonal communication, and coaching.
Desire to self‑reflect, give and receive feedback, and continuously improve.
Teamwork: Work as a contributing member of a team, establishing and maintaining positive relationships with all staff levels.
Preferred: Experience in a regulatory state agency or a local education agency setting; supervisory or project management experience.
Application Information Resume and tailored cover letter are required attachments; incomplete applications will not be considered. Successful candidates will submit to a national criminal history background check.
Equal Opportunity Employment As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age or veteran status, unless an applicant is entitled to the military employment preference.
#J-18808-Ljbffr