The Anti-Human Trafficking Team (AHTT) Prosecutor is selected by and responsible to the Legal Team Manager for the Anti-Human Trafficking Team.  The AHTT Prosecutor performs highly complex attorney work primarily enforcing the Department’s statutes and rules of the agency which relate to its anti-human trafficking efforts.   Work involves reviewing investigative reports, indicators of human trafficking, and making decisions about case resolutions; preparing and supervising the preparation of legal documents, including Emergency Orders; prosecuting violators in administrative proceedings before an administrative law judge; negotiating settlements; and overseeing the work of legal assistants assigned to the section.  Provides assistance and training in the department’s efforts to combat Human Trafficking. Work is performed under limited supervision of the Legal Team Manager with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.  The AHTT Prosecutor will perform other duties as assigned and required to maintain agency operations.

*This position is eligible for remote work from anywhere within Texas. Position is office based for Austin-area residents.

Essential Duties

• Responsible for handling, reviewing, and prosecuting cases involving allegations of human trafficking.
• Participates in the agency’s efforts to provide awareness, support, and information related to the department’s anti-trafficking efforts to other state and federal agencies, law enforcement organizations, and interested non-governmental organizations.
• Manages a high-volume caseload primarily relating to the agency’s anti-human trafficking efforts, but may also handle cases under the other statutes administered by TDLR.
• Reviews investigative reports, identifies possible indicators of human trafficking, initial applications, and license renewal applications and decides the manner in which cases will be resolved. Brings cases to final resolution as expeditiously as possible.
• Researches and interprets statutes, rules, regulations, codes, indicators of human trafficking, and administrative records, and analyzes their applicability and significance in specific fact situations presented in complaints.
• Advises investigators and inspectors regarding evidentiary analysis and avenues of investigation to be pursued, and provides guidance to all Enforcement and Field Investigation staff regarding statutes, rules, and enforcement policies which relate to Human Trafficking
• Negotiates settlements of AHTT enforcement cases.
• Represents TDLR in the formal prosecution of AHTT enforcement cases in administrative hearings before the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH). Presents the testimony of witnesses and documentary evidence in accordance with the Texas Rules of Evidence and makes legally-sound oral arguments.
• Prepares notices of alleged violation, notices of hearing, letters of proposed license denial, motions, legal briefs, case closing letters, agreed orders, emergency orders related to human trafficking, and other appropriate legal documents and correspondence related to enforcement cases.
• Prepares exceptions to Proposals for Decision as needed and presents oral argument on contested cases to the Commission.
• Consults regularly with other AHTT Prosecutors to ensure consistency in the application of laws, rules, and enforcement policies. Reviews work of other attorneys through a peer review process.
• Reviews drafts of laws, rules, policies and regulations affecting agency operations, including those related to Human Trafficking.
• Assists in educating the regulated industries and the public by making appearances before groups and speaking about the Department’s laws, rules, agency policies, enforcement actions, and indicators of human trafficking affecting the subject industries.
• Complies with division and/or agency training requirements.
• Demonstrates a spirit of teamwork, offering positive and constructive ideas, encouragement and support to other members of the staff and team, while upholding the agency’s core values.
• Keeps management appropriately informed of ongoing activity and critical matters affecting the operation and well-being of the agency.
• Adheres to all TDLR Personnel Policies and performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

Graduation from an accredited law school with an L.L.B. or J.D. degree.  Member in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.  Three (3) years of litigation experience required.  Experience with regulatory enforcement or criminal prosecution preferred.  If the applicant is selected for an interview, the candidate will need to provide a writing sample at the time of the interview.  The writing sample must be a document written entirely by the applicant without the use of artificial intelligence or any automated tools.

Preferred Qualifications

Five (5) years of litigation experience and experience with prosecuting Human Trafficking cases.

 Military Occupation Specialty Code:

Veterans, Reservists or Guardsmen with an MOS or additional duties that fall in the fields of 27A- Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps Attorney, Coast Guard- LG10 Legal, LG11 Military Justice, Air Force- 4402 Judge Advocate, 92J0 Non-designated Lawyer or other related fields pertaining to the minimum experience requirements may meet the minimum qualifications for this position and are highly encouraged to apply. Additional Military Crosswalk information can be accessed at: Military Crosswalk for Occupational Category – Legal.

Remarks

The successful candidate will have: Knowledge of administrative law proceedings and concepts such as jurisdiction, notice, and due process, knowledge of the Administrative Procedures Act, the Texas Rules of Evidence and Civil Procedure, the Public Information Act, the Open Meetings Act, and the laws administered by TDLR.  Skill in the use of computer and applicable software, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Internet, and e-mail; and the ability to use a computer to produce legal documents, correspondence, presentations, statistical reports, and other complex documents. Skill in the use of standard office equipment. Ability to interpret, apply, and explain, orally and in writing, statutes, rules, codes, procedures, and policies; to perform legal research; and, to plan and manage multiple tasks or courses of action simultaneously and respond effectively to rapidly changing priorities in a highly visible setting. Excellent writing skills; excellent communication skills in the contexts of telephone contacts, in-person contacts, presenting cases in court, and public speaking; and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and provide professional, friendly, and caring customer service to all customers.

How to Apply

Applications may be downloaded through TDLR’s website https: www.tdlr.texas.gov/employ.htm. Only Email or fax applications accepted. Email human.resources@tdlr.texas.gov or fax 512.475.3377. Incomplete applications will not be considered. A resume in lieu of application will be rejected. Additionally, an application with “see resume” within the summary of experience is considered incomplete and will be rejected. Cover letter is optional.  Submit a copy of degree if in lieu of experience/skills requirement. To receive Military Employment Preference for any position, submit a copy of the DD214 or DD1300 with application.