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DPS is seeking an attorney with extensive experience and demonstrated expertise in public information law and high-volume legal operations management to lead and manage the Public Information Request (PIR) team in the Office of General Counsel. The successful candidate will oversee the agency's response to approximately 30,000 public information requests annually, serving as the strategic leader for a complex legal program that requires coordination across all agency divisions and interaction with personnel at every organizational level. In this role, the successful candidate will directly manage a team of attorneys and legal assistants who perform PIR work, providing leadership, guidance, and oversight to ensure consistent, high-quality legal analysis and timely processing of requests.The successful candidate will provide sophisticated legal analysis of PIR requests, facilitate the efficient and transparent communication of publicly available information, craft legal arguments when seeking to withhold confidential information, prepare briefs to the Office of the Attorney General, and manage the agency-wide data management system used to track and process requests. The candidate must have a thorough understanding of the Texas Public Information Act, related state and federal transparency laws, and the ability to apply complex legal principles under strict statutory deadlines in high-pressure situations.The successful candidate will have specific experience in public information request administration within a governmental entity and demonstrated ability to manage large-scale legal operations with proven experience supervising legal professionals. The successful candidate will possess exceptional analytical skills, proven crisis management abilities, and the personal relationship skills necessary to professionally interact with the public, media, internal clients, and executive leadership while maintaining the highest standards of legal and ethical practice.We are currently seeking an experienced attorney with at least seven (7) years of experience as a licensed attorney with at least three (3) years of PIR experience for a position in the classification ranges of General Counsel III-IV. Final salary and classification will be based on experience and qualifications.The department offers a collaborative work environment with career advancement opportunities. Benefits include:and#8226; Comprehensive medical insurance with premiums paid at 100% for full-time employees and the state pays 50% of the premium for dependentsand#8226; Flexible work schedulesand#8226; Generous paid leave and holidaysand#8226; State retirement pension planand#8226; Comprehensive wellness programPLEASE NOTE: All applications must contain complete job histories, which includes job title, dates of employment, name of employer, supervisor's name and phone number and a description of duties performed. If this information is not submitted, your application may be rejected because it is incomplete. Resumes do not take the place of this required information.SUBMITTED THROUGH WORK IN TEXAS: Work In Texas (WIT) applicants must complete the supplemental questions to be considered for the posting. In order to complete the supplemental questions please go to CAPPS Recruit to register or login and access your profile. Go to CAPPS Recruit to Sign In https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobsearch.ftl?lang=enGENERAL DESCRIPTION:General Counsel III (3523/ B30) Directs and plans legal activities related to the agency's Public Information Act program, managing attorneys and legal assistants who analyze public information requests, coordinate with alldivisions to locate records, prepare briefs to the Office of the Attorney General, and provide records to the public. Performs advanced and managerial (senior-level) legal work involving the interpretation of laws, regulations, and rules; preparation of legal documents; provision of legal advice and counsel; and management of complex legal operations. Coordinates various functions within the Office of General Counsel including management of the Public Information Request team, preparing and presenting reports to executive management, training of attorneys, legal assistants and division representatives. Provides legal counsel to senior management on complex legal issues involving the agency, including the Public Information Act, records management, and litigation matters. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment with constraints of law, departmental policies, and professional practice.GENERAL DESCRIPTION: General Counsel IV (3524/ B32) Directs and manages legal activities related to the agency's Public Information Act program, manages attorneys, legal assistants and support staff who analyze public information requests, coordinate with all divisions to identify records, prepare briefs to the Office of the Attorney General, and provide records to the public. Performs highly advanced and managerial (senior-level) legal work involving the interpretation of complex laws, regulations, and rules; preparation and oversight of legal documents; provision of strategic legal advice and counsel to executive leadership; and comprehensive management of complex legal operations. Coordinate various functions within the Office of General Counsel including management of the Public Information Request team, preparing and presenting reports to executive management, training of attorneys, legal assistants and division representatives. Provides legal counsel to senior management on complex legal issues involving the agency, including the Public Information Act, records management, and litigation matters. Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment with constraints of law, departmental policies, and professional practice.The following Military Occupational Specialty codes are generally applicable to this position.https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSCLegal.pdfhttps://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSCLegal.pdfApplicants must fully complete the summary of experience to determine if minimum qualifications are met.ESSENTIAL DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES:1. Plan, direct and oversee a large team of subordinate attorneys, legal assistants and related support staff as delegated by the General Counsel in performing functions related to the management of the departmentand#8217;s public information program.2.Plan, coordinate and manage the agency response to thousands of public information requests annually, establishing standardized agency procedure regarding public information request process and participate in the management, procurement and maintenance of the agency-wide data solution utilized for public information purposes.3. Communicate and interact with executives and officers of federal, state, and local governmental entities and the public to resolve legal problems.4.Render opinions that interpret laws, rules, regulations, policies and court precedent affecting Departmental operations and administration and maintains awareness and ongoing research concerning all aspects of law relevant to Department operations and legal practice.5.Guide the preparation and submission of proposed legislation, rules, regulations, departmental policies and applications related to relevant legal services of the Department.6. May control and participate in the preparation and management of operating budgets for relevant legal services.7. May coordinate inter-department activities
