General Description:
Performs highly advanced, senior-level, legal work for the Office of the Ombudsman. The primary responsibility of this position is identifying, documenting, and publishing best practices in higher education reform and governance. This position is also responsible for interpreting and rendering legal advice and counsel on agency rules, laws and regulations, policy development, and procedures related to the Office of the Ombudsman, as well as assisting in administering the oversight, compliance, and reporting functions of the Office, including investigations under SB 17 and SB 37. This position works under administrative direction of the Director of Institutional Policy & Oversight (Ombudsman) and the Deputy Director & General Counsel.

Work Location:
This role will be based in the Austin or Houston area and will require occasional travel between both locations.

General Duties and Responsibilities:
• Oversees, reviews, and advises on laws, rules, and regulations affecting higher education, agency operations, and administration, and provide counsel to the Ombudsman.
• Works in close consultation with agency leadership to recommend, develop, and effectively communicate policy positions and proposals within the agency, to institutions of higher education, the Texas Legislature, and other related stakeholders.
• Prepares and reviews the drafting of legislation, bill analyses, and Board rules and regulations.
• Prepares legal opinions requested by agency administration and the Ombudsman, and render opinions interpreting the provisions of laws, rules, and regulations affecting higher education.
• Manages the development of high-quality and well-organized reports, briefs, and presentation materials on key higher education legal issues.
• Manages agency requirements related to the Public Information Act, the rulemaking under the Administrative Procedure Act, and the Open Meetings Act.
• Maintains a close working relationship with the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), and work with the OAG to provide representation of the agency in civil actions brought by or against the Office of the Ombudsman.
• Maintains a close working relationship with Institutions of higher education, the Texas Workforce Commission Civil Rights Division, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the Texas Ethics Commission.
• Works effectively across a wide range of state and federal entities, including the Texas Legislature and United States Congress.
• Responds to requests from institutions of higher education and the general public for legal information.
• Proactively builds and maintains strong, mutually respectful relationships both internal and external to the agency to facilitate effective, collaborative partnership and communication.
• Oversees, reviews, and advises on the SB 17 and SB 37 complaint process, including the design and administration of the process.
• Prepares, drafts, and review pleadings, motions, briefs, abstracts, petitions, summary judgments, and other legal documents.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Knowledge of higher education structure in Texas, including roles of legislature, agency, and institutions.
• Knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations affecting higher education, agency operations, and administration.
• Skill identifying problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Ability to analyze and solve legal problems and interpret laws and regulations affecting higher education and the agency.
• Ability to prepare legal documents, conduct research, and summarize findings.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with the ability to deliver compelling presentations to diverse groups of stakeholders.
• Ability to think, plan, and manage strategically and execute with focus and excellence.
• Interpersonal skills that drive unified strategies, projects, and impact.
• Ability to motivate, lead through influence, and collaborate with diverse individuals and groups.
• Ability to effectively gather, analyze, and communicate information, while managing a diverse workload.
• Ability to coordinate and drive large, highly complex initiatives with multiple stakeholders.

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

Required Minimum Education and Experience:
• Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (JD) degree. Must be licensed to practice law in the State of Texas.
• Requires 5 years of legal and state agency or legislature experience.

Preferred:
• Legal experience with a state governmental agency, and experience in legal issues related to public or higher education.
• Experience with employment law and First Amendment law is strongly preferred.

Physical Requirements and/or Working Conditions:
Work is performed in a standard office environment and requires:
• Regular, reliable, and punctual attendance at work;
• Frequent use of personal computer, copiers, printers and telephones;
• Frequent sitting;
• Frequently works under deadlines, as a team member, and in direct contact with others.

Workforce:
• Demonstrate knowledge of customer service deliverables.
• Show flexibility and adaptability toward changes in assignments and work schedules, working extended hours as necessary.
• Adhere to the organization’s internal management policies and procedures.
• Contribute to the agency’s performance measures and mission.
• Travel occasionally for work assignments (generally less than one percent of time).

Application Requirements:
The Office of the Ombudsman is an Equal Opportunity Employer. A State of Texas application is required to apply. For more information on how to apply for this position, go to the Coordinating Board’s employment opportunities website at https://www.highered.texas.gov/careers/

The Office of the Ombudsman participates in E-Verify for each new employees’ Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. For questions please call the HR Department at 512-427-6190. For vocal and/or hearing assistance call 7-1-1.

Notes to Applicant:
If you require any reasonable accommodation for the interview process, please inform the hiring representative who calls to schedule your interview. This position has been designated as a security sensitive position. A criminal background investigation will be conducted on the final candidate for this position.

Veterans Information: The Office of the Ombudsman is committed to hiring Veterans. To receive Veteran’s Preference, a copy of the FORM DD214 -member #4, must be attached when submitting your application.

AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: The Office of the Ombudsman does not discriminate on the basis, of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability in employment or the provision of services.

Job offer and continuation of employment with THECB is contingent upon:
• Proof of education and experience listed on the application.
• Eligibility/authorization to work in the U.S.
• Satisfactory results from a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Compliance with the Selective Service Law for males ages 18-25. Please be advised that under Texas law, names and other information concerning applicants or nominees may be subject to disclosure upon request.

OOO does not allow dual employment with other state of Texas agencies or institutions.

Skills assessment may be conducted at time of interview.

No phone calls or emails, please. Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls and cannot reply to all email inquiries. Only candidates selected for interview will be contacted.