RRC - Attorney I

• Generous paid time off including vacation, sick time, and at least 12 paid holidays per year
• Telework options for eligible positions
• Flexible work schedules
• Retirement pension with a 150% agency match – you can watch this YouTube video that describes this amazing benefit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJI6M7g73-w
• 401(k), 457(b) and Roth
• Health premiums 100% paid for full-time employees
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Wellness and Exercise Leave
• Career development programs/opportunities for advancement

The Hearings Division of the Railroad Commission of Texas is seeking an Attorney I to support the Hearings Division Oil and Gas and Oversight and Safety docket groups. The Hearings Division conducts hearings concerning regulatory aspects of gas utility rates and safety, surface mining and reclamation, oil and gas exploration and production, as well as critical infrastructure. This position may assist administrative law judges (ALJ) and technical examiners (TE) in evaluating evidence, drafting correspondence and orders, as well as summarizing expert technical and legal testimony. Research pertinent facts and law to aid ALJs and TEs in drafting recommendations to the Commission. Must have an ability to review materials from many differing scientific disciplines relating to pipelines, geology, soils, surface water and groundwater. Must be capable of understanding and reviewing complex drawings, maps, and plans. May draft or assist in drafting administrative regulations. Will create documents using word processing and spreadsheet programs. Will work closely with ALJs and TEs.

This position reports to the Hearings Division Director and will require meticulous attention to detail and the ability to work on multiple projects and meet crucial deadlines. Performs general legal work with moderate supervision and some latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. May assist others performing job duties of greater complexity as required.

Job Duties

• Assist ALJs and TEs in managing and presiding over dockets in the Hearings Division

• Advise on interpretation and application of agency rules and regulations, as well as state and federal laws

• Legal research

• Assist in administrative hearings or proceedings

• Draft research memoranda on regulatory matters or administrative rules

• Review drafts of laws, rules, and regulations impacting the Hearings Division or hearing procedures

• Determine and apply relevant rules and statutes, to comply with ethical standards, to recognize problems and identify and facilitate solutions, to communicate effectively, and to assign and/or supervise the work of others

• Write well-reasoned, grammatically correct legal documents

• Maintain docket files in compliance with open government and confidentiality procedures.

• Use computers and applicable software

• Must be able to work 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM M-F, with occasional nights, weekends, holidays.

• Willing to travel 5% of the time

• Performs other duties, as assigned

For Military Crosswalk information, please go to: https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_Legal.pdf

Minimum Qualifications

· Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college/university

• J.D. degree from an accredited law school (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED WITH APPLICATION)

• Licensed to practice law by the state of Texas, with active membership in good standing

• Ability to produce high-quality legal documents

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively

• Valid Texas Driver’s License and good driving record

Preferred Qualifications

• Working knowledge of Texas’s statutory and regulatory requirements

• Working knowledge of the Texas Administrative Code, the Texas Natural Resources Code, the Texas Water Code, the Administrative Procedures Act

• Experience with administrative, energy, environmental and/or gas utility law

• Experience in contested case hearings and/or litigation matters

• Up to two years’ experience or internship working in a government/private law office

• Ability to interact effectively with the public

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Knowledge of legal principles, practices, and proceedings of state and federal laws, rules, and regulations, as well as agency administrative rules and regulations.

• Knowledge of trial and administrative hearing procedures, applicable laws, government regulations, and agency rules.

• Skill in legal research, writing, and analysis; identifying and solving complex problems; interpreting and applying laws and regulations; and using judgment to identify courses of action.

• Skill in listening to testimony of parties involved in hearings, in using reasoning and logic to identify solutions and approaches to cases.

• Ability to manage and prioritize a complex workload to meet applicable goals, objectives, and performance metrics

• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing

• Ability to take initiative and work independently

• Ability to work effectively on a team or individually

• Ability to address issues/concerns in a professional manner

• Ability to exercise tact and courtesy and to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

• Ability to understand and explain complex issues, regulations, and standards

• Ability to determine and apply relevant rules and statutes, to comply with ethical standards, to Demonstrates strong organizational and time management abilities and ability to preserve and keep documents secure and to appropriately coordinate with the preservation of records.

• Ability to work under pressure, coordinate multiple priorities, and meet strict deadlines.

• Ability to exercise tact and courtesy and to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

• Experience in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint, and Virtual Meeting Platforms).

Work Environment:

Primarily indoors with heating and cooling regulated in general office environment; the noise level in the work environment ranges from low-to-moderate.

Physical Requirements

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Ability to reach high and low; open, close and retrieve files from file cabinets as well as operate computer keyboard and appropriate office equipment.

Writing Sample

A writing sample, preferably drafted within the past two years, must be submitted for the application to be considered. The writing sample should be at least 1,500 words in length.

Work Hours and Telework: Standard office hours for Commission employees are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Our agency offers alternate schedules for employees, as long as it does not adversely affect operations and service levels, and standard hours of operation are maintained. The Commission may also offer telework based on the agency’s approved Telework Plan. Alternate work schedules and telework may be discussed with the hiring manager during the interview process.

APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED THROUGH WORK IN TEXAS: Work In Texas (WIT) applicants must complete the CAPPS Recruit Prescreening Questionnaire to be considered for the posting. To complete the Prescreening Questionnaire, go to CAPPS Recruit to register or login: https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en

Remarks:

• There is one available position.
• Official transcripts, DD214 or DD1300, copies of license/certifications, or other minimum requirement validations will be requested at the time of the job offer.
• Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.

THE RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS ONLY ACCEPTS ONLINE APPLICATIONS FOR THIS POSTING.

Due to the high volume of applications we do not accept telephone calls. Only candidates selected for interview will be contacted. Notifications to applicants are sent electronically to the email address you provide.

The Railroad Commission of Texas is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not
discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age
or disability in employment or in the provision of services.
The Railroad Commission of Texas is a tobacco-free workplace.