THECB - General Counsel II

Job Description

THECB is observing a hybrid telecommuting schedule with employees required to be in the office at least two (2) days per week.

The agency is located at the George Herbert Walker Bush State Building located in the Capitol Complex at 1801 N. Congress Ave. Austin, TX 78701.

General Description :

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (Coordinating Board) is seeking an attorney to join its quest to change the future of Texans and Texas through the power of higher education. The Coordinating Board provides leadership and coordination across Texas colleges and universities. As part of its mission, the Coordinating Board collects and analyzes data to provide institutions of higher education with the tools to best serve their students. The agency uses financial resources and data-driven tools to drive improvement of individual student achievement and economic performance across the state.

This position reports to, and works closely with, the General Counsel to provide superb legal counsel and work product to the Commissioner of Higher Education and the Coordinating Board staff. This position will focus heavily on drafting and reviewing agency rules to implement legislation and assist in conducting rule reviews required by the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), as well as reviewing institution of higher education policies and training for compliance with federal and state law, including Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, and Texas Education Code §51.3525.

Other duties may include assisting the agency with records retention policies and guidance; assisting with drafting and reviewing grants and contracts; drafting and reviewing data sharing agreements; and interpreting statutes, case law, rules, and regulations. The successful candidate will have excellent attention to detail, be able to manage multiple deadlines on a tight timeframe and have a demonstrated record of success working with moderate supervision on highly complex matters.

General Duties and Responsibilities :

• Drafts, reviews, interprets, and applies agency rules.
• Reviews training and policies created by institutions of higher education for compliance with Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, and Texas Education Code § 51.3525.
• Provides advice and counsel to agency staff on legal matters and on the interpretation and application of agency policies, rules, and state and federal laws.
• Researches and analyzes legal sources such as statutes, case law, administrative records, Attorney General Opinions, Ethics Commission Opinions, legislative histories, and various articles, rules, and regulations.
• Participates in drafting, developing, reviewing, and negotiating contracts.
• Develops and updates contract and solicitation templates and additional contract forms / guidance, interprets contractual provisions, and provides advice on all facets of contract and grant (state and federal) issues.
• Drafts, reviews, and negotiates Memoranda of Understanding and Interagency Contracts with other state agencies.
• Prepares and reviews legal documents such as pleadings, motions, briefs, opinions, position statements, proposed legislation, proposed rules, and other legal memoranda.
• Prepares and reviews position statements and other correspondence with state and federal agencies, including the Texas Workforce Commission Civil Rights Division and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
• Reviews and prepares responses to public information requests and legal briefing. May serve as the Public Information Coordinator.
• Coordinates with internal and external teams regarding legal research and work or other project issues, including those affecting agency operations and administration.
• Assists with representing the agency in pre-trial, trial, and appellate phases of lawsuits, including drafting motions, briefs, and discovery documents and preparing witnesses for deposition and trial, and coordinates with outside counsel as needed to represent the agency's interests.
• Performs other work as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

Knowledge of state government contract law, state and federal grant law, and commercial laws.

Military Crosswalk : Military Crosswalk for Occupational Category - Legal

Qualifications :

Required Minimum Education and Experience :

Registration, Certification, or Licensure :

Preferred :

Physical Requirements and / or Working Conditions :

Work is performed in a standard office environment and requires :

Workforce : Must be able to :

Application Requirements :

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is an Equal Opportunity Employer. A State of Texas application is required to apply. For more information on how to apply for this position, go to the Coordinating Board's employment opportunities website at Careers - Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board participates in E-Verify for each new employees' Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. For questions, please call the HR Department at 512-427-6190. For vocal and / or hearing assistance call 7-1-1.

Notes to Applicant :

If you require any reasonable accommodation for the interview process, please inform the hiring representative who calls to schedule your interview. This position has been designated as a security sensitive position. A criminal background investigation will be conducted on the final candidate for this position.

Your job application must be completely filled out. Your application must contain dates of employment, job titles, name of employer and a description of duties performed in a way that demonstrates you meet the minimum qualifications for the position for which you are applying. Resumes do not take the place of the requirement to include this information on the application. If this information is not submitted, your application may be rejected because it is incomplete.

Veterans Information : THECB is committed to hiring Veterans. To receive Veteran's Preference, a copy of the FORM DD214 -member #4, must be attached when submitting your application.

AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER : THECB does not discriminate on the basis, of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability in employment or the provision of services.

Job offer and continuation of employment with THECB is contingent upon :

THECB does not allow dual employment with other state of Texas agencies or institutions.

Skills assessment may be conducted at time of interview

No phone calls or emails, please. Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls and cannot reply to all email inquiries. Only candidates selected for interview will be contacted.