TDCJ - General Counsel V - General Counsel

Applicants must submit both a résumé and a completed application to be considered. Both documents should include sufficient work history to assess qualifications.

About the role

In this leadership role, you will oversee the agency's legal operations by providing strategic legal guidance, interpreting laws and regulations, and managing complex legal matters. You will direct the preparation of legal documents, contracts, litigation, and legislative proposals while leading and developing a team of legal professionals. This position operates with a high degree of independence, initiative, and sound judgment. This position is based in Huntsville and Austin, Texas and requires working in-office.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal guidance and interpret laws and regulations affecting the agency.
• Manage complex legal matters, including litigation, contracts, and legislative proposals.
• Direct the preparation of legal documents.
• Lead and develop a team of legal professionals.
• Analyze and solve legal problems and interpret laws and regulations affecting the agency.
• Review and evaluate the impact of procedures, statutes, rules, regulations, policies, judgments, and litigation on the agency.
• Direct and organize a legal services program.
• Prepare legal documents and technical reports.
• Coordinate with other staff, departments, officials, agencies, organizations, and the public.
• Communicate ideas and instructions clearly and concisely.
• Apply administrative problem-solving techniques and supervise the work of others.
• Support and advise executive leadership.
• Perform complex legal work, including interpreting laws, rules, and regulations.
• Apply critical thinking and executive-level problem-solving techniques.

Requirements

• Graduation from a law school accredited by an organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or by the United States Department of Education (USDE) with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Juris Doctorate (JD) degree.
• Eight years full-time, wage-earning legal experience, litigation, trial, or contract law experience with at least four years as legal counsel in a governmental agency or private practice, specializing in criminal, administrative, or labor/employment law.
• Four years full-time, wage-earning experience in the supervision of employees.
• Must maintain a current active license to practice law in the State of Texas during employment with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) through the State Bar of Texas or other appropriate Texas licensing authority.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations affecting the TDCJ agency operations; legal principles and practices of public administration and management; and state government operations and the functions of criminal justice systems.
• Skill to review technical data and prepare technical reports; public address; and administrative problem-solving techniques.

Benefits

Retiree salary will be 2.5% less than the posted salary.

Schedule

Travel required: 50% – Position may spend 6-10 nights away per month.

Questions regarding this position may be directed to:
Shannon Deveney
Executive Administration
Phone: (936) 437-2122
Email: shannon.deveney@tdcj.texas.gov