Employment Attorney

The Texas General Land Office is seeking an Attorney III (Employment Attorney) within the General Counsel Department of the agency.

Performs legal work involving examining and preparing legal documents, interpreting laws and regulations, rendering legal advice and counsel, consulting with trial attorneys, conducting hearings, and preparing cases for agency hearings and/or trials.

Our Mission

The Texas General Land Office primarily serves the schoolchildren, veterans, and the environment of Texas. The agency does so by preserving our history, maximizing state revenue through innovative administration, and through the prudent stewardship of state lands and natural resources.

What Your Contributions To The GLO Will Be

• Advises client divisions, and sometimes the public, on legal matters and interpretation of laws affecting the client, particularly in areas of Human Resources and employment-related matters.
• Works closely with HR to ensure compliance with Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) regulations and other federal and state employment laws, including the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Americans with Disability Act (ADA), and the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
• Works with HR on developing and revising human resources-related policies and procedures in compliance with state and federal laws and regulations. Reviews drafts of agency HR policies, rules and guidelines. As requested, provides guidance to HR staff as the subject matter expert in employment law.
• In coordination with HR, conducts or assists with investigations of HR relaed matters, complaints, and other emergent issues, and advises/assists management with other investigations. Prepares memorandums recommending courses of action for executive leadership in active investigations.
• Assists the Attorney General’s office or outside counsel in the representation of the agency in civil actions brought by or against the agency on legal matters and functions related to assigned responsibility, particularly in the areas of HR – responds to EEOC charges.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation from an accredited law school with a Jurisdiction Doctor (JD) degree. Must be licensed as an attorney by the State of Texas. Must be a member in good standing with State Bar of Texas.
• Two (2) years of legal experience as a licensed attorney in the State of Texas with an emphasis in labor and employment experience supporting a government entity or corporate organization.
• Experience in advising on matters involving compensation and benefits, employment claims, Title VII issues, and on employee issues.

Preferred Qualifications

• T hree (3) years of substantive labor and employment law with a government entity.
• Two (2) years experience in legal working drafting and reviewing government contracts.
• Experience working with the Texas Public Information Act.

Physical Requirements

This position requires the employee to primarily perform sedentary office work; however, mobility (moving around the worksite) is routinely required to carry out some duties. This position requires extensive computer, telephone and client/ customer contact and communication. It requires the ability to move and position oneself as needed for filing and similar routine office duties. The job also requires normal cognitive abilities requiring the ability to learn, recall, and apply certain practices and policies. It requires the stamina to maintain attention to detail despite interruptions. Ability to read printed materials and computer screens. The individual must be able to move and transport records, documents, boxes, and all related information and materials, weighing up to 20 pounds when required.

Compensation And Benefits

• Free Parking
• Defined Retirement Benefit Plan Optional 401(k) and 457 accounts
• Medical Insurance - State pays 100% of the health plan premium for eligible full-time employees and 50% of the premium for their eligible dependents. The State pays 50% of the eligible part-time employees’ premium and 25% for eligible dependents.
• Optional Benefits such as dental, vision, and life insurance.
• Minimum of 96 Hours of Annual Leave a year **Annual leave increases with length of service.
• Professional Development Opportunities: The GLO offers numerous courses to help our employees grow using resources through LinkedIn Learning and our EAP provider.

Veterans

Use your military skills to qualify for this position or other jobs! Go to www.texasskillstowork.com to translate your military work experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications and skill sets. Also, you can compare this position to military occupations (MOS) at the Texas State Auditor's Office by pasting this link into your browser:

Military Crosswalk for Occupational Category - Legal

How To Apply

• To be considered, please complete a State of Texas Application for Employment and apply online at www.workintexas.com or in the CAPPS Career Section .
• You may apply for the job directly through the CAPPS Career Section. It is not necessary to apply both through Work in Texas and the CAPPS Career Section.
• In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.
• A position utilizing this classification will be designated as security sensitive according to the Texas Labor Code, Section 301.042.
• 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.