GENERAL DESCRIPTION

OAG employees enjoy excellent benefits along with tremendous opportunities to do important work at a large, dynamic state agency making a positive difference in the lives of Texans.

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. The Environmental Protection Division prosecutes environmental violations; prosecutes and defends cases involving the State’s natural resources; and defends public utility and environmental orders issued by Texas administrative agencies. Attorneys in the Environmental Protection Division practice in state and federal courts throughout Texas, and the Division prides itself on the quality of the legal services it provides on behalf of the State of Texas.

The work entails providing legal advice, counsel, and assistance; representing the State’s interest in civil matters; reviewing, evaluating, and rendering legal opinions; preparing legal documentation; and assisting in drafting bills for legislative consideration.

ESSENTIAL POSITION FUNCTIONS

• Provides legal advice, counsel, and assistance.
• Represents the State’s interest in civil matters.
• Prepares legal documents, including but not limited to briefs, pleadings, and memoranda.
• Performs legal research and investigations, and reports findings and conclusions.
• Participates in administrative and evidentiary hearings and in the discovery process
• Assists in preparing cases for trials.
• Assists in representing the Office of the Attorney General in state or federal district and appellate courts.
• Assists in drafting bills for legislative consideration.
• Work involves coordinating legal activities; researching, analyzing, investigating, and drafting legal documents; and assisting attorneys with case management.
• Oversees and/or coordinates the scheduling and drafting of interrogatories, requests for production, requests for admissions, and requests for information.
• Oversees and/or coordinates, assembles, and prepares evidence, exhibits, affidavits, and documents for use in legal proceedings.
• Oversees and/or researches and analyzes legal sources such as statutes, case law, administrative records, opinions, articles, treaties, property titles, and rules and regulations.
• Oversees and/or schedules and prioritizes attorney caseloads; organizes case files; attends initial interviews and depositions; conducts investigations; and prepares chronologies, fact summaries, and witness files.
• Prepares synopses, abstracts, or summaries of complex legal issues.
• Prepares attorneys for meetings with complainants, witnesses, and expert witnesses.
• Conducts statistical, documentary, and investigatory research.
• Drafts and responds to correspondence and opinion requests involving legal interpretations and decisions.
• 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
  

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Assistant Attorney General (AAG) I:

• Education: Graduation from accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (JD) degree
• Licensed as an attorney by the State Bar of Texas and Member in good standing with the State Bar of Texas
• Knowledge of legal principles, practices, and proceedings; and of state and federal laws, regulations, and rules.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks, prioritizing, and meeting deadlines
• Skill in effective oral and written communication
• Skill in exercising sound judgment and effective decision making
• Ability to receive and respond positively to constructive feedback
• Ability to work cooperatively with others in a professional office environment
• Ability to provide excellent customer service
• Ability to work in person at assigned OAG work location, perform all assigned tasks at designated OAG work space 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 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 (AAG) II - All the above functions for an Assistant Attorney General I, PLUS:

• Experience: One additional year of full-time experience as a licensed attorney
  

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Certifications: Member in good standing with State Bar of Texas
• Experience: One additional year of full-time experience working as a licensed attorney
  

TO APPLY

To apply for a job with the OAG, electronic applications can be submitted through CAPPS Recruit. A State of Texas application must be completed to be considered, and paper applications are not accepted. 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

https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_Legal.pdf

THE OAG IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER