Closing Date: 17th July, 2024

Description:

Description 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. This position is with our Office of General Counsel department.

Performs advanced to highly advanced (senior-level) legal work that involves overseeing and planning legal activities, preparing legal documents, participating in hearings, interpreting laws and regulations, and rendering legal advice and counsel. Works under minimal supervision, with considerable to extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

The successful candidate will be an integral part of the Office of General Counsel Department. To be successful the candidate must model the GLO's competencies of Integrity, Open Communications, Teamwork, Innovation and Proficiency.

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. State pays 50% of the eligible part-time employee's 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.
Telework policy

Veterans, Reservist or Guardsman with an MOS or additional duties that fall in the fields of Army - 27A Judge Advocate General; Navy - 250X - Judge Advocate General Corps; Coast Guard - 04 - Legal; Marines -4402 Judge Advocate; Air Force - 351JX Judge Advocate or other related fields pertaining to the minimum experience requirement may meet the minimum qualifications for this position.

Additional Military Crosswalk information can be accessed at
http://www.hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_Legal.pdf

In order to receive Veterans' preference, a copy of Form DD#214 is required at time of interview.

Essential Job Duties:

Advises client divisions, and sometimes the public, with minimal supervision, on legal issues related to coastal resource management, submerged land, boundary law, and other matters that may impact the divisions' mission and functions. Represents client divisions in an effective manner by responding to the needs of the divisions promptly and keeping up to date on legal issues relevant to the clients served.
Prepares or oversees the preparation of legal opinions and memoranda, contracts, proposals, and other legal documents related to assigned responsibilities.
Reviews and analyzes proposed bills, rules and regulations affecting agency operations and administration. Drafts or assists in the drafting of proposed laws, rules and regulations affecting agency operations and administration.
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 at functions related to assigned responsibilities.
Works with client divisions to implement procedures mandated by legislation, such as notice and hearing requirements. Proactively assume any and all duties necessary to fulfill the agency's obligations.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of legal principles, practices, and proceedings; of state and federal laws, rules, and regulations; and of agency administrative rules and regulations.
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, to operate a computer and applicable software and to train others.
Ability to attend work regularly and adheres to established work schedule in accordance with agency leave and attendance.

Physical Requirements:
This position requires the employee to primarily perform sedentary office work; however, mobility (moving around the work-site) 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. The individual must be able to remain stationary for long periods of time when commuting to and from assigned destination and when traveling on state business including fieldwork and training assignments.

Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications:

Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (JD) degree.
Licensed as an attorney by the State of Texas.
Member in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.
Attorney IV - Three (3) years of full-time experience as a licensed attorney in the State of Texas with an emphasis in environmental and natural resources law, administrative law, real estate transactions and leasing, residential and/or commercial real estate development or related fields.
Attorney V - Four (4) years of full-time experience as a licensed attorney in the State of Texas with an emphasis in environmental and natural resources law, administrative law, real estate transactions and leasing, residential and/or commercial real estate development or related fields.

Preferred Qualifications:

Five (5) years of full-time experience as a licensed attorney in the State of Texas
Significant prior experience with environmental and natural resources law and Texas real estate law including:
Experience working with and interpreting federal, state and municipal laws and regulations pertaining to environmental and natural resource law, environmental regulatory enforcement, coastal construction projects, federal and state grants, commercial and residential real estate projects, surveying, boundary laws, land titles, leases, easements or related fields.
Experience in reviewing and preparing real estate sales and leasing transactional documents and reviewing commercial and residential development plans, land titles, specifications, and construction contracts.
Experience in litigation related to environmental laws, commercial and residential real estate-related litigation related to boundary disputes, regulatory enforcement, administrative law or related fields.
Experience with interpreting and drafting Texas state agency rules, regulations and procedures.