TWDB - 25-71: Assistant General Counsel (Attorney III)

The mission of the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) is to lead the state's efforts in ensuring a secure water future for Texas and its citizens. Our mission is a vital part of Texas' overall vision and the state's mission and goals that relate to maintaining the viability of the state's natural resources, health, and economic development.

To accomplish our goals of planning for the state's water resources and providing affordable water and wastewater services, the TWDB provides water planning, data collection and dissemination, financial assistance, and technical assistance services to the citizens of Texas. The tremendous population growth that the state continues to experience and the recurrent threat of severe drought only intensify the need for the TWDB to accomplish its goals in an effective and efficient manner.

Only applicants who apply with a State of Texas application via the CAPPS online application system will be considered for this position. First time applicants will need to create an account https://tinyurl.com/CAPPS-Login in the CAPPS online application system at https://tinyurl.com/CAPPS-Jobs. Please visit our job opportunities page at https://tinyurl.com/How-to-Apply-in-CAPPS for more information about the Texas Water Development Board and answers to frequently asked questions. To view this position in greater detail, visit the CAPPS online application system.

                                              Texas Water Development Board’s Mission 

                            Leading the state’s efforts in ensuring a secure water future for Texas. 

The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) offers competitive compensation and benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), flexible spending, and flexible work alternatives so you can have a work/life balance! For more information about these benefits and more visit http://www.twdb.texas.gov/jobs/benefits.asp.

The Texas Water Development Board does not discriminate on basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, sexual orientation, age, or disability in employment or provision of services, programs, or activities. 

                               ***Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications***

Job Description Summary

Performs highly complex (senior-level) legal work. Work involves assisting the General Counsel in overseeing, planning and organizing work, interpreting laws and regulations, preparing legal documents, and rendering legal advice and counsel. Performs legal services for the Board, Executive Administrator, and agency staff.  Serves as liaison to, and assists the Attorney General, regarding litigation that affects the agency. Participates in briefings and meetings. May train others. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Reports to the General Counsel of the agency and Team Lead for WSI Team in the Office of General Counsel.

Essential Job Functions

• Provides legal services and conducts research regarding state and federal financial assistance programs and municipal finance law.
• Drafts, reviews, and negotiates documents for loan applications and closings.
• Reviews and comments on municipal bond resolutions.
• Creates and reviews payable, receivable, and service contracts for financial assistance to governmental entities.
• Performs advance legal research.
• Drafts opinions and responses and provides counsel to the General Counsel, Board, Executive Administrator and agency staff regarding water planning, analyses of water resources, water conservation, flood planning, environmental law, administrative law and other legal issues.
• Monitors and reviews legislation.
• Drafts bill analyses.
• Recommends, drafts, reviews and revises agency policies, procedures and rules.
• Monitors and assists the General Counsel in representation of the agency in matters involving litigation.
• Reviews drafts of laws, rules, regulations, and other legal documents affecting agency operations.
• May supervise the work of others.
• Maintains confidential and sensitive information.
• Ensures individual and team files (electronic and hard versions) are appropriately maintained and timely disposed of in accordance with the agency’s records retention procedures and schedule.
• Maintains required certifications and licenses and meets the continuing education needs and requirements of the position to include, attending mandatory training courses.
• May be required to operate a state or personal vehicle for business purposes.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited law school with a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) or a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree.
• Admission and a member in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.
• Ten years of full-time experience in the practice of law. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with loan or financial transactions.
• Experience in water, environmental, utility, tax or administrative law.
• Experience with Open Meetings Act and Public Information Act. 
• Experience representing the state in litigation or administrative hearings.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to the agency and the Office of General Counsel.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration.
• Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
• Knowledge of fundamentals of contract law, government law, and Texas state agency contracts.
• Knowledge of environmental law concepts, including natural resources laws.
• Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Skills in using Microsoft Office programs such as Word, Excel, and Access.
• Skills in use of internet, email, word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and database software.
• Skills in efficient legal research including use of Westlaw and other internet legal research.
• Skills in using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
• Skills in identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions. 
• Ability to identify relevant legal issues.
• Ability to adhere to work schedules, follow procedures with respect to leave and submit accurate timesheets by prescribed deadlines.
• Ability to make mature, objective decisions and identify areas of potential problems.
• Ability to perform effectively and willingly when changes occur in scope and nature of the work and work environment.
• Ability to perform routine and non-routine work assignments accurately and on-time with little or no supervision.
• Ability to perform assigned duties and improve work habits and/or output.
• Ability to complete assigned work, on time, neatly and with infrequent errors.
•  Ability to interpret policies, procedures, and regulations. 
• Ability to provide prompt, courteous and accurate assistance and clear and concise communication to internal and external stakeholders both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work and cooperate with others in a team environment.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks.
• Ability to stand/sit/move to perform activities such as retrieve/replace files in a large file system for boxes up to 30 lbs.
• Ability and willingness to travel 10% of the time, primarily within the State of Texas.
• Ability to operate a vehicle (state or personal) for state business and maintain a driver’s license and driving record that complies with state and agency requirements.
• Ability to work shifts that may exceed 8 hours, including early mornings, nights, and weekends.
• Ability to train others.

All interested candidates should apply with a State of Texas application via the CAPPS online application system. First time applicants will need to create an account https://tinyurl.com/CAPPS-Login in the CAPPS online application system https://tinyurl.com/CAPPS-Jobs. Please visit our job opportunities page https://tinyurl.com/How-to-Apply-in-CAPPS for more information about the Texas Water Development Board and answers to frequently asked questions. To view this position in greater detail, visit the CAPPS online application system.

Texas Water Development Board, Stephen F. Austin Building

1700 North Congress Ave., Room 670, Austin, Texas 78701

Please contact Human Resources for accommodation requests.

Phone: (512) 475-2142

Email: HR(AT)twdb.texas.gov