Office of the Attorney General

GENERAL DESCRIPTION The Office of the Attorney General, a dynamic state agency with over 4000 employees throughout the State of Texas, is hiring an attorney for the Environmental Protection Division (EPD). EPD represents the State in matters pertaining to environmental protection, natural resources, and public utilities. This Assistant Attorney General Position will primarily support the Natural Resources Section, which works on a wide variety of referrals and litigation involving title and boundary disputes concerning public lands (e.g., submerged land and riverbeds), public beach access and coastal dune protection, state oil and gas leases and interests, wildlife regulation and protection, challenges of agency orders and rules, interstate river compact commissions, and much more. Representative client agencies include the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, Texas General Land Office, and the Railroad Commission of Texas, among others. The work entails providing legal advice, counsel, and assistance; analyzing diverse and routine factual and legal issues; handling cases involving enforcement and defense matters; and providing general counsel assistance as needed. EPD attorneys prosecute and defend cases in state and federal courts and handle matters at the trial and appellate levels. Assistant Attorneys Generals experience the challenge and honor of public service while enjoying a healthy work-life balance; hands on legal experience; and engaging camaraderie in Austin, the scenic and lively capital of Texas. The OAG seeks qualified, self-motivated candidates to manage cases from inception to conclusion. OAG employees enjoy excellent benefits (https://ers.texas.gov/benefits-at-a-glance) along with tremendous opportunities to do important work and make a positive difference in the lives of Texans. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS Assistant Attorney General II: Represents state agencies in state and federal district and appellate courts in various litigation matters, including drafting pleadings, motions, and briefs; participates in trial and appellate advocacy, including judicial review of agency orders and actions challenging agency rules and statutes Provides legal advice to state agencies on a variety of matters Analyzes diverse and routine factual and legal issues Handles cases involving enforcement and defense matters Provides general counsel assistance as needed Performs legal research and investigations, and reports findings and conclusions Assists in drafting bills and amendments for legislative consideration May train less tenured staff Performs related work as assigned Maintains relevant knowledge necessary to perform essential job functions Attends work regularly in compliance with agreed-upon work schedule Ensures security and confidentiality of sensitive and/or protected information Complies with all agency policies and procedures, including those pertaining to ethics and integrity Assistant Attorney General III: All of the above functions for an Assistant Attorney General II, PLUS: Mentors and reviews work by less tenured staff Ability to analyze factual and legal issues and develops evidence through witness interviews, depositions, and other discovery MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Assistant Attorney General II: Education: Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor degree (J.D.) Licensed as an attorney by the State Bar of Texas Member in good standing with the State Bar of Texas Experience: One year of full-time experience working as a licensed attorney Knowledge of legal principles, practices, and proceedings; and of state and federal laws, regulations, and rules Skill in legal research, writing, and analysis Skill in conducting investigations Skill in mediation negotiations Skill in using reasoning and logic Skill in identifying and solving complex problems Skill in prioritizing workloads Skill in using judgment to identify courses of action Skill in using a computer for word-processing and data entry/retrieval Skill in effective oral and written communication Ability to work in person at assigned OAG work location, perform all assigned tasks at designated OAG workspace within OAG work location, and perform in-person work with coworkers (e.g., collaborating, training, mentoring) for the entirety of every work week (unless on approved leave) Ability to prepare legal documents, conduct research, and interpret and apply laws Ability to summarize findings, prepare cases and present at trial, and conduct hearings Ability to receive and respond positively to constructive feedback Ability to work cooperatively with others in a professional office environment Ability to arrange for personal transportation for business-related travel Ability to work more than 40 hours as needed and in compliance with the FLSA Ability to lift and relocate 30 lbs. Ability to travel (including overnight travel) up to 20% Assistant Attorney General III: All of the above qualifications for an Assistant Attorney General II, PLUS: Experience: One additional year of full-time working as a licensed attorney PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Experience: Two-three years of experience in civil litigation Experience in administrative and/or appellate law TO APPLY To apply for a job with the OAG, submit a completed State of Texas job application through the OAG’s Job Postings Page. A State of Texas application must be completed to be considered, and paper applications are not accepted. For further instructions on how to apply through the OAG’s Job Postings Page, see our How to Apply page. Your application for this position may subject you to a criminal background check pursuant to the Texas Government Code. Military Crosswalk information can be accessed at Office of the Attorney General http://www.hr.sao.state.tx.us/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_Legal.pdf. THE OAG IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER