Texas Department of Transportation
General Counsel Division - Associate General Counsel
Texas Department of Transportation, Austin, Texas, us, 78716
Performs complex legal work in the General Counsel Division involving the compliance and interpretation of federal and state laws, rules, and regulations for the Texas Department of Transportation and the Texas Transportation Commission. Work requires contact with governmental agencies and private entities. Employees at this level establish their own work plan and priorities to meet set objectives. Issues are rarely referred to the supervisor but are handled at the occurrence. The primary function of this position will be to advise the department on issues regarding the Public Information Act.
Essential Duties:
•
Provides legal advice to Department business units, administration, and the commission regarding the interpretation, application, and enforcement of state and federal laws, rules, and regulations; researches highly complex legal issues. •
Drafts and reviews policy statements and minute orders for consideration by administration and the commission. •
Provides legal advice and risk assessment related to procuring, drafting, negotiating, and administering contracts, including compliance with state procurement laws, the Contract Management Guide and Historically Underutilized Business program requirements. •
Drafts, reviews, analyzes, and interprets legal documents. •
Receives, analyses and process request for public information pursuant to the Public Information Act. Drafts briefs to the Office of Attorney General regarding Public Information Act rulings. Directs and advises administration on open record and litigation hold issues. •
Drafts, reviews, analyzes, and interprets legislative documents, including bills and amendments; reviews implementation plans prepared by internal business units to ensure compliance with enacted legislation. •
Assist the Office of Attorney General on pending and contemplated litigation including subpoenas and document collection. •
Drafts Department rule documents, coordinates, analyzes, and reviews Department rule documents drafted by other divisions for compliance with federal and state legal requirements. •
Develops, negotiates, and provides legal services regarding project development agreements with other local entities; advises on other legal matters concerning the relationship between the Department and those local entities. •
Drafts, reviews, interprets, and negotiates project contracts; providing complex legal services involving procurement, award of contracts, and contract administration to include amendments, change orders, disputes, and contract termination.
Minimum Qualifications: Education : Juris Doctor (JD) in /from an accredited law school. Experience : 1 year Litigation, Governmental, administrative, real estate, or contract law, civil procedure, or related experience. (Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent). Licenses and Certifications : Valid driver’s license. This position requires driving a state vehicle. Must be licensed to practice law in the State of Texas.
Preferred Qualifications: Competencies: Considerable knowledge of: •
Applicable laws, rules and regulations specific to area of responsibility •
Legislative process •
Civil Procedure •
Arbitration, mediation, and negotiation Proficient skills in: •
Legal research using Westlaw and other legal research tools. •
Researching, analyzing, and interpreting policies and state and federal laws and regulations specific to functional area. •
Persuasion and negotiation of critical issues •
Drafting agreements, contracts and amendments •
Interpreting and applying laws, rules, and regulations •
Interpreting and analyzing legislation, rules, and regulations •
Preparing legal documents including opinions, letters, motions, orders, case law summaries and legislative impact statements •
Speaking to present images and ideas in a clear, concise, organized, and interesting manner to optimize audience understanding and keep the group focused. •
Public relations for maintaining effective working relationships with individuals and groups, both internal and external. •
Interpreting applicable information •
Using computers and applicable programs, applications, and systems •
Maintaining a safe working relationship •
Effective communication Physical Requirements and Working Conditions: •
Sitting prolonged periods of time •
Close Visual Acuity Conditions of Employment: Please click this link to read the standard conditions of employment for all positions:
Standard Conditions of Employment (TxDOT)
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Provides legal advice to Department business units, administration, and the commission regarding the interpretation, application, and enforcement of state and federal laws, rules, and regulations; researches highly complex legal issues. •
Drafts and reviews policy statements and minute orders for consideration by administration and the commission. •
Provides legal advice and risk assessment related to procuring, drafting, negotiating, and administering contracts, including compliance with state procurement laws, the Contract Management Guide and Historically Underutilized Business program requirements. •
Drafts, reviews, analyzes, and interprets legal documents. •
Receives, analyses and process request for public information pursuant to the Public Information Act. Drafts briefs to the Office of Attorney General regarding Public Information Act rulings. Directs and advises administration on open record and litigation hold issues. •
Drafts, reviews, analyzes, and interprets legislative documents, including bills and amendments; reviews implementation plans prepared by internal business units to ensure compliance with enacted legislation. •
Assist the Office of Attorney General on pending and contemplated litigation including subpoenas and document collection. •
Drafts Department rule documents, coordinates, analyzes, and reviews Department rule documents drafted by other divisions for compliance with federal and state legal requirements. •
Develops, negotiates, and provides legal services regarding project development agreements with other local entities; advises on other legal matters concerning the relationship between the Department and those local entities. •
Drafts, reviews, interprets, and negotiates project contracts; providing complex legal services involving procurement, award of contracts, and contract administration to include amendments, change orders, disputes, and contract termination.
Minimum Qualifications: Education : Juris Doctor (JD) in /from an accredited law school. Experience : 1 year Litigation, Governmental, administrative, real estate, or contract law, civil procedure, or related experience. (Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent). Licenses and Certifications : Valid driver’s license. This position requires driving a state vehicle. Must be licensed to practice law in the State of Texas.
Preferred Qualifications: Competencies: Considerable knowledge of: •
Applicable laws, rules and regulations specific to area of responsibility •
Legislative process •
Civil Procedure •
Arbitration, mediation, and negotiation Proficient skills in: •
Legal research using Westlaw and other legal research tools. •
Researching, analyzing, and interpreting policies and state and federal laws and regulations specific to functional area. •
Persuasion and negotiation of critical issues •
Drafting agreements, contracts and amendments •
Interpreting and applying laws, rules, and regulations •
Interpreting and analyzing legislation, rules, and regulations •
Preparing legal documents including opinions, letters, motions, orders, case law summaries and legislative impact statements •
Speaking to present images and ideas in a clear, concise, organized, and interesting manner to optimize audience understanding and keep the group focused. •
Public relations for maintaining effective working relationships with individuals and groups, both internal and external. •
Interpreting applicable information •
Using computers and applicable programs, applications, and systems •
Maintaining a safe working relationship •
Effective communication Physical Requirements and Working Conditions: •
Sitting prolonged periods of time •
Close Visual Acuity Conditions of Employment: Please click this link to read the standard conditions of employment for all positions:
Standard Conditions of Employment (TxDOT)
#J-18808-Ljbffr