Supervising/Staff Attorney (Telework)

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is seeking a Supervising/Staff Attorney (Attorney III) to join the Agency’s Commission Appeals Department. This position is located at 101 E. 15th Street, Austin, TX. This position is 100% teleworking. However, business need may require occasional attendance at the office in Austin with 48-hours’ notice.

You must be a Texas resident to work for the Texas Workforce Commission or willing to relocate to Texas.

WHO WE ARE:
Commission Appeals (CA) is the higher of two levels of appeal available within TWC to parties affected by TWC’s administrative determinations. CA’s primary responsibility is advising the three Commissioners of TWC in the resolution of these higher-level appeals.

WHO YOU ARE:
The ideal candidate will possess a positive attitude, strong analytical skills, diplomatic communication skills, the willingness and ability to adapt to promote departmental performance goals, and an advanced understanding of the laws related to programs administered by TWC. The job requires a meticulous eye for detail, the ability to work in a team environment, and to work positively under pressure while meeting deadlines.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:
A Supervising/Staff Attorney in Commission Appeals performs highly complex (senior-level) attorney work. Work involves assigning and/or supervising the work of full-time attorneys, implementing and monitoring adherence to all policies, procedures and laws to promote CA’s performance. Work includes monitoring employee performance, maintaining documentation to support personnel actions implementing corrective action plans, and backing up the Director in operational duties (not public meetings). Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

The work includes recommending proper resolution of cases in line with the Texas Unemployment Compensation Act (TUCA), Texas Payday law, other statutes, and Commission precedent; preparing decisions in line with instructions of the Commissioners, handling correspondence, and performing related work as assigned. May participate in Rapid Process Improvement (RPI) initiatives.

YOU WILL BE TRUSTED TO:
- Directing and planning legal activities, overseeing preparation of legal documents, overseeing hearings.
- Backing up the Director in departmental operations.
- Interpreting laws and regulations, including TUCA, Texas Payday law and other law related to programs administered by TWC.
- Analyzing recorded testimony and documentary evidence developed at lower–level, informal, administrative hearings relating to programs administered by TWC, including Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Payday/Wage Claims.
- Summarizing relevant facts and makes timely recommendations for the resolution of each case.
- Ensuring that recommendations conform to existing law, including TUCA, Texas Payday law and Commission precedent.
- Preparing a decision for each case in conformity to existing law & Commission precedent.
- Preparing correspondence related to such cases.
- May conduct ordered hearings.
- May participate in Rapid Process Improvement (RPI) initiatives.
- Performing related work as assigned.

YOU ARE A GREAT FIT WITH:
- Experience and/or knowledge of Texas Payday law.
- Experience and/or knowledge of the Texas Unemployment Compensation Act.
- Prior experience conducting informal, administrative hearings.
- Experience and/or knowledge of attorney training.
- Prior management experience.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively accomplish multiple, competing tasks under pressure.
- Experience and/or knowledge of legal principals, practices, and proceedings and of laws, regulations and rules related to TWC.
- Experience and/or knowledge of Commission Appeals policies and procedures.
- Demonstrated ability to efficiently identify and summarize relevant facts, apply logical analysis, and draft legal documents in a timely fashion.
- Ability to interpret and apply laws and use legal reference materials.
- Ability to work in a team environment, multi-task and work well under pressure while meeting department and Commission set deadlines.
- Skill in communicating effectively orally and in writing.
- Excellent typing skills of 50 words per minute.
- Meticulous eye for detail.
- Experience using Microsoft Word and Microsoft Teams.
- Ability to adapt and willingness to learn.
- High level of patience and flexibility.

YOU QUALIFY WITH:
-Graduation from an accredited law school approved by the American Bar Association and admission to the State Bar of Texas plus two years of experience in the full-time practice of law, or two years of full-time experience in a responsible position involving legal work as a primary duty, or two years of full-time experience involving the legal aspects of administration in the fields of industrial or labor relations.
-One year of full-time in-service experience classified as an Attorney II with regular status will satisfy the minimum qualifications

A writing sample and skills exercise may be administered at the time of interview.

YOU GAIN:
-A Family Friendly Certified Workplace.
-Competitive salary: $6,073.00/month
-Defined Retirement Benefit Plan
-Optional 401(k) and 457 accounts
-Medical Insurance
-Paid time off, including time for vacation, sick and family care leave.
-Additional benefits for active employees can be found at https://www.ers.texas.gov/Active-Employees/Health-Benefits.

VETERANS:
Use your military skills to qualify for this position or other jobs! Go to www.texasskillstowork.com to translate your military work experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications, and skill sets. Also, you can compare this position to military occupations (MOS) at the Texas State Auditor's Office by pasting this link into your browser: https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_Legal.pdf

HOW TO APPLY:
-To be considered, please complete an Application for Employment and apply on Taleo.
-Applicants must be legally authorized to work for ANY employer in the United States. We will not consider applicants that will need sponsorship now or in the future.
-In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.
-A position utilizing this classification will be designated as security sensitive according to the Texas Labor Code, Section 301.042.