TxDMV - Associate General Counsel

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Our mission at the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) is to serve, protect and advance the citizens and industries in the state with quality motor vehicle related services.

We are a dynamic state agency dedicated to customer service, consumer protection and the success of motor vehicle-related industries.

An Associate General Counsel for Contracts and Procurements (Attorney V) in the Office of General Counsel at the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) performs highly complex (senior-level) legal work on state contracts and procurements.

This position uses specialized expertise in government contracts and procurements to advise the agency on contract and procurement matters, to draft, interpret, and review contracts and procurement documents, and to negotiate contracts and contract claims.

The Associate General Counsel for Contracts and Procurements works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for initiative and independent judgment, and may also supervise the work of others.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Provides complex legal services regarding all aspects of state purchasing and contracting from the planning stage through contract performance monitoring.
• Advises staff on state contract and procurement laws, rules, and issues.
• Advises staff on ethics and risk-management issues regarding procurements and contracts.
• Drafts, interprets, and reviews contracts, procurement documents, and other legal documents, including information technology contracts, procurement solicitations, purchase requisitions, specifications, statements of work, and service level agreements.
• Negotiates contracts and contract claims.
• Advises staff on intellectual property issues under potential and existing contracts.
• Advises staff on vendor protests, warranty claims, breaches of contract, and contract disputes, including termination, contested cases, and litigation.
• Develops contracting procedures, templates, forms, policies, and other guidance utilized by TxDMV staff in procuring and entering into contracts and other agreements.
• Drafts legal opinions and advises TxDMV on a broad range of legal issues, laws, rules, regulations, case law, opinions, decisions, and court orders.
• Drafts responses to legal inquiries from stakeholders and the general public.
• Reviews, interprets, and applies state and federal laws, including the Texas Administrative Code.
• Advises staff on legal matters and on the interpretation and application of agency regulations, state and federal laws, case law, opinions, decisions, and court orders.
• Research legal issues and provides analysis in both written and verbal form.
• Works with attorneys from the Office of the Attorney General to prepare for contract or procurement related hearings, mediations, contested cases, trials, and appeals in cases involving TxDMV.
• Assists in drafting contract or procurement related administrative rules and managing rules projects as needed.
• Analyzes contract or procurement related proposed legislation, drafts bill analyses, and drafts responses to requests from legislative staff upon request.

Assigns work to legal assistants and clerical employees.

• May travel up to 5% of the time. Travel by car (may include flying). May include overnight travel. May require working extended hours and some evenings and weekends, as needed.
• Required to attend work regularly and adhere to approved work hours in accordance with department policies and procedures.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of :

• Applicable state and federal laws, rules, and regulations, including laws, rules, and regulations regarding purchasing, contracting, grants, appropriations, intellectual property, ethic, liquidated damages, contract damages, Historically Underutilized Businesses, vendor protests, and contract claims.
• The State of Texas Procurement and Contract Management Guide.
• Contracting best practices.
• Contract negotiation strategies.
• The Public Information Act regarding procurement and contract documents.

Skill in :

• Researching, analyzing, and interpreting policies and state and federal laws, rules, and regulations.
• Reviewing and preparing legal documents, including contracts, and opinions.
• Negotiating contracts.
• Developing, interpreting, and implementing policies and procedures.
• Analyzing issues, facts, and available information to develop logical solutions; researching inconsistencies of facts or data;

drawing correct inferences from information and making recommendations that support business decisions.

• Exercising sound judgment and making effective decisions.
• Problem-solving.
• Interpreting and applying laws, rules, and regulations.
• Communicating complex ideas and information in a clear, concise, and effective manner to a variety of audiences.
• Paying attention to detail.
• Protecting sensitive and confidential information.
• Using judgment to identify courses of action.
• Leading, assigning, reviewing, and monitoring the work of others.
• Handling multiple tasks, prioritizing, and meeting deadlines.
• Leading and motivating staff, providing direction in planning, organizing, evaluating, managing, and completing projects.

Ability to :

• Receive and respond positively to constructive feedback.
• Work cooperatively with others and treat others with kindness and respect.
• Be effective when communicating with others.
• Plan and organize work.
• Prepare opinions and briefs.
• Conduct legal research.
• Summarize findings.
• Interpret and apply laws.

The above statements are not a complete list of all responsibilities, duties and skills held or performed by employees in this job.

Employees may perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience

A Doctor of Jurisprudence / Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school, with five (5) years of directly related experience as a practicing attorney specializing in procurement and contracting or related experience.

Must be licensed by the Supreme Court of Texas to practice law Texas and a member in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.

Experience requirements may be satisfied by full-time experience or the prorated part-time equivalent).

Preferred Qualifications

Seven (7) years of recent and relevant experience as a practicing attorney, advising state governmental entities on procurement and contracting.

This experience would preferably include progressively responsible advisory roles, drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts, with specialized experience in state construction projects procurements, information technology services procurements, and contracting through the Department of Information Resources (DIR) and the Shared Technology Services program.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

TRAVEL

May travel up to 5% of the time.

REGISTRATION, CERTIFICATION AND / OR LICENSURE

A valid Class "C" driver's license is required. If not currently a Texas resident, must obtain a Texas Driver's License within 90 days after entering Texas as a new resident.

A satisfactory driving record is required for operating state or personal vehicles to conduct department business.

BENEFITS

The State of Texas offers a variety of for you and your family that are comprehensive and, on average, make up about one-third of total compensation. Benefits include :

üRetirement Plan

üPaid Group Health & Life Insurance for employees

üPaid Holidays

üPaid Vacation Leave

üPaid Sick Leave

üLongevity Pay

üDental

üVision

üDependent Optional Life Insurance

üVoluntary AD&D Insurance

üDependent Health & Life Insurance

üHealth & Dependent care flexible spending accounts

üTuition Assistance Program

QUALIFIED EMPLOYER : In addition, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles is considered a qualified employer for the Department of Education’s .

Job offers and continuation of employment is contingent upon :

• Proof of education and experience listed on the application
• Eligibility to work in the United States
• Satisfactory results from a pre-employment criminal history background check and driver’s record check
• Compliance with Selective Service registration for males ages 18-25
• Required to attend work regularly and observe approved work hours in accordance with department policies and procedures.

Military :

If selected for the position the following must be provided for proof of military employment preference :

• Veteran must provide form DD 214
• Surviving Spouse or Orphan must provide DD 1300 or DD 214.
• Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes that may correspond to the state classification title for this position are listed on the ;

click on the occupational category for the position. Additional MOS can be found at the State Auditor’s Office .

The provides helpful employment information.

Submission of Application :

Your application must be complete, accurate and reflect all experience and education. Omission of data can be the basis for disqualification.

See Resume" is not accepted in lieu of a completed online State of Texas application but attached resumes may be considered as additional supplemental information.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY / AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER

The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, military status, protected activity, and on basis of an employee’s hair texture or protective hairstyle.

The TxDMV provides accommodations for persons with disabilities in accordance with the American with Disabilities Act. If you need help with the employment process or require other accommodations, please contact the Human Resources office for assistance at 512-465-4043.

Benefits include : ü Retirement Plan ü Paid Group Health & Life Insurance for employees ü Paid Holidays ü Paid Vacation Leave ü Paid Sick Leave ü Longevity Pay ü Dental ü Vision ü Dependent Optional Life Insurance ü Voluntary AD&D Insurance ü Dependent Health & Life Insurance ü Health & Dependent care flexible spending accountsü Tuition Assistance Program QUALIFIED EMPLOYER : In addition, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles is considered a qualified employer for the Department of Education’s .

Job offers and continuation of employment is contingent upon : Proof of education and experience listed on the applicationEligibility to work in the United StatesSatisfactory results from a pre-employment criminal history background check and driver’s record checkCompliance with Selective Service registration for males ages 18-25Required to attend work regularly and observe approved work hours in accordance with department policies and procedures.

Military : If selected for the position the following must be provided for proof of military employment preference : Veteran must provide form DD 214Surviving Spouse or Orphan must provide DD 1300 or DD 214.

Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes that may correspond to the state classification title for this position are listed on the ;

click on the occupational category for the position. Additional MOS can be found at the State Auditor’s Office .The provides helpful employment information.

Submission of Application : Your application must be complete, accurate and reflect all experience and education. Omission of data can be the basis for disqualification.

See Resume" is not accepted in lieu of a completed online State of Texas application but attached resumes may be considered as additional supplemental information.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY / AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYERThe Texas Department of Motor Vehicles is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, military status, protected activity, and on basis of an employee’s hair texture or protective hairstyle.

The TxDMV provides accommodations for persons with disabilities in accordance with the American with Disabilities Act. If you need help with the employment process or require other accommodations, please contact the Human Resources office for assistance at 512-465-4043.