What are the responsibilities and job description for the TDA - Assistant General Counsel (Attorney II or III - Appeals and/or Contracts) 2 Positions Available position at DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE?
ASSISTANT GENERAL COUNSEL
(Attorney II or III - Appeals and/or Contracts)
2 Positions Available
Salary Information: B24, $6,800.00 - $7,200.00/MO.; B26 - $8,200.00 - $8,700.00/MO.
State Classification: Attorney II/III – 3503/3504
FLSA Status: Exempt
Posting Number: 24-57261-1
HOW TO APPLY
Apply online at via CAPPS. Applicants applying in WIT must complete the supplemental questions to be considered for the position. To complete the supplemental questions, go to CAPPS Recruit: https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en.
WHO ARE WE
The Texas Department of Agriculture’s Legal Services Division Food and Nutrition Section provides legal counsel to the Food and Nutrition Division, including representing the agency in administrative hearings arising from the child nutrition programs administered by TDA .
WHAT YOU’LL DO
The Assistant General Counsel will perform moderately complex to highly complex legal work for the Food and Nutrition (F&N) Division of the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) and on special projects. You will be responsible for contract review and providing legal support to F&N in the areas of contracts and grants, including review of bids and contracts of food service management companies; researching and analyzing federal rules relating to the administration of TDA’s Child Nutrition programs; interpreting laws and regulations; assisting the division in implementing legislation regarding its programs; and handling appeals of adverse actions taken by the program. You will work under general to limited supervision with moderate to considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
We have two vacant attorney positions in our Food & Nutrition legal services section – one of the vacancies will be the primary contact for legal support pertaining to procurement functions for F&N and the other vacancy will serve as the primary attorney for all administrative appeals arising out of the F&N Division, including the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and manage a full caseload of administrative appeals to enforce program requirements and prosecute violations.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Research and draft legal memoranda on issues for TDA’s Executive staff.
Assist Division with collection of funds and serve as the agency liaison with the Office of the Texas Attorney General (OAG), to include assisting with Division collection referrals and providing litigation support to OAG representatives assigned to represent TDA’s federal child nutrition programs. May involve working with outside counsel.
Provide support in the area of rulemaking, public information and other open government issues.
Prepare and provide training to TDA staff and industry related groups.
Follow all TDA policies and procedures.
Perform other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS/ REQUIREMENTS FOR AN ATTORNEY II – B24 ($6,800.00 - $7,200.00/MO.)
Juris Doctor Degree from an accredited law school with a license to practice law in the State of Texas.
Minimum two years’ experience as a licensed attorney in the practice of law in the areas of drafting and reviewing contracts and/or procurement documents and/or interagency contracts.
Experience preparing cases for trial, appeal, or administrative hearings.
QUALIFICATIONS/ REQUIREMENTS FOR AN ATTORNEY III – B26 ($8,200 - $8,700.00/MO.)
Juris Doctor Degree from an accredited law school with a license to practice law in the State of Texas.
Minimum four years’ experience as a licensed attorney in the practice of law in the areas of drafting and reviewing contracts and/or procurement documents and/or interagency contracts.
Experience preparing cases for trial, appeal, or administrative hearings.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
Knowledge of legal principles, practices, and proceedings.
Skill in legal research, writing, and analysis; in the use of a computer and applicable software; in using reasoning and logic; in identifying and solving complex problems; in prioritizing workloads; and in using judgment to identify courses of action.
Ability to conduct hearings, to prepare opinions and briefs, to prepare cases for trial, to conduct research, to summarize findings, to interpret and apply laws, to use legal reference materials, to communicate effectively, orally and in writing; exercise sound judgment and discretion; and to maintain the highest level of confidentiality.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS
This position will work in a normal office work environment and may have exposure to dust and environmental allergens consistent with normal business activities and human contact. Mostly sedentary in nature but may involve walking; standing; pulling and pushing; kneeling, stooping and bending; performing tasks requiring fine motor skills and coordination; and safely lifting and carrying items weighing up to 30 pounds. Must be able to work extended periods at a computer and may require working extended hours and some evenings and weekends, as needed. May involve travel (up to 15%* of the work period), occasionally overnight.
TELEWORK & WORK HOURS
TDA has a telework policy that will allow eligible positions to telework up to two (2) days per week after completing six (6) months of employment with the agency. The employee must meet eligibility criteria set forth in the Telework Policy.
H-1B VISA SPONSORSHIP
We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.
BENEFITS
The State of Texas offers a variety of benefits for you and your family that are comprehensive and, on average, make up about one-third of total compensation. Benefits include:
- A valid government-issued driver’s license, which is recognized by the Texas Department of Public Safety and in good standing, and an acceptable driving record are required. TDA will verify this information with the Texas Department of Public Safety. Applicants with a driver’s license not issued by the State of Texas should obtain and be prepared to provide a copy of their current driving record on or before their first day.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO): The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (gender, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, disability, age, military status, genetic information or protected activity (retaliation). TDA provides accommodations for persons with disabilities in accordance with the American with Disabilities Act. If you need help with the employment process or require other accommodations, please contact the Human Resources office for assistance at (512) 463-7423.
TDA participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security, with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.
Military and Former Foster Child Employment Preference: TDA complies with the provisions of the military and former foster child employment preference acts. Please contact our Human Resources-Veterans Liaison at (512) 463-7454 for assistance.
Salary : $6,800 - $7,200
