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MISSION: The Texas Education Agency (TEA) will improve outcomes for all public-school students in the state by providing leadership, guidance, and support to school systems.Core Values:and#8226; We are Determined: We are committed and intentional in the pursuit of our main purpose, to improve outcomes for students.and#8226; We are People-Centered: We strive to attract, develop, and retain the most committed talent, representing the diversity of Texas, each contributing to our common vision for students.and#8226; We are Learners: We seek evidence, reflect on success and failure, and try new approaches in the pursuit of excellence for our students.and#8226; We are Servant Leaders: Above all else, we are public servants working to improve opportunities for students and provide support to those who serve them.New hires, re-hires, and internal hires will typically receive a starting salary between the posted minimum and the average pay of employees in their same classification. Offers will be commensurate with the candidateand#8217;s experience and qualifications and will thoughtfully consider internal pay equity for agency staff who perform similar duties and have similar qualifications. The top half of the posted salary range is generally reserved for candidates who exceed the requirements and qualifications for the role. The maximum salary range is reserved for candidates that far exceed the required and preferred qualifications for the role.The 89th legislature approved a 6% salary increase for licensed attorneys hired into positions with this job classification title. The posted salary range for this position already reflects said increase. Upon hire, the selected finalist will receive a starting salary offer and, as a separate line item, the legislatively approved increase that will become part of their base pay. The sum of both will not exceed the positionand#8217;s posted salary range. Only new hires are eligible for this increase.This is a 10-day posting, which will close on June 5, at 11:59pm.Position Overview: The Special Projects Attorney will provide advanced, highly independent legal services to support educator preparation, certification, and pathways policy development, rulemaking, and governance activities. This role advises senior leadership on complex legal matters; interprets and applies statutes and administrative rules; supports SBEC and Commissioner rulemaking; and represents the agency in administrative proceedings related to EPCE matters.The Special Projects attorney reports to the Senior Director of Policy and Planning with regular and direct support from and collaboration with the Associate Commissioner of Educator Preparation, Certification, and Enforcement.Flexible work location within the state of Texas may be considered for qualified candidates.Please note that a resume, tailored cover letter, and short answer responses are required attachments for applying to this position. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicants who are strongly being considered for employment must submit to a national criminal history background check.and#8239;Essential FunctionsJob duties are not limited to the essential functions mentioned below. You may perform other functions as assigned.1. Legal and Policy Strategy: Serves as a senior legal advisor to EPCE, which includes 1) advising the associate commissioner and other staff within EPCE regarding development, interpretation, application and enforcement of statutes and rules, litigation risks, and rulemaking, 2) responds to request for legal advice through the EPCE legal portal, 3) legislative supports including assisting in policy development consulting as related to priorities, drafting bills for legislative consideration, ensuring accurate and timely responses to legislative and other ad hoc requests, including bill analyses, fiscal notes, and testimony, and assisting in bill implementation, including early planning and cross team coordination, 4) serves as a strategic liaison to policymakers, and 5) acts as a liaison to the OAG for litigation related to EPP contested cases.2. EPP Litigation and Administrative Proceedings: Litigates complex Educator Preparation Cases, which includes 1) proficiently and accurately drafting legal pleadings, 2) schedules hearings, prepares witnesses, and prepares cases for trial and represents the agency in matters before SOAH, 3)prepares the cases and corresponding agenda item to presented to the SBEC and presents these cases to the SBEC at Board meetings, and 4) makes oral presentations that are well-organized, clear, concise, and persuasive at the hearing and before SBEC.3. Rulemaking and Administrative Law Support: Helps ensure that SBEC and Commissioner rulemaking is legally sufficient, enforceable, and compliant with administrative procedure requirements by providing expert legal review and guidance throughout the rulemaking lifecycle. This includes, 1) reviewing and drafting rule language for legal sufficiency, enforceability, and alignment with statute, 2) reviews fiscal impact statements and other rulemaking forms for legal accuracy, 3) provides guidance on Administrative Procedure Act requirements, including rulemaking and SBEC processes, and 4) coordinates legal review timelines with leadership.4. Legal Research: Conducts advanced legal research and produces high-quality legal analyses that support defensible decision-making, institutional consistency, and long-term policy integrity. This includes, 1) advanced legal research on state and federal law, administrative decisions, and regulatory trends, 2)prepares briefs, legal opinions, reports, and analyses related to EPCE policy issues, 3)investigates alleged statutory or rule violations, as assigned, and prepares findings or recommendations, and 4) maintains documentation supporting legal guidance and decisions.5. Collaboration and Leadership Support: Strengthens the Policy and Planning Divisionand#8217;s legal capacity by serving as a trusted legal partner, coordinating across teams, key policy liaison to SBEC and SBOE members, as well as legislative offices, and supporting the development of sustainable legal guidance systems.
Qualifications: Minimum Qualificationsand#8226; Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or universityand#8226; Experience: At least five (5) years of experience in administrative law. At least two (2) years full-time legal experience in litigation as a licensed attorney.Other Qualificationsand#8226; Share the belief that all Texas students can achieve at high levels and are able to succeed in college, career, or the militaryand#8226; At least two years of experience presenting complex information to members of a decision-making bodyand#8226; Ability to set clear expectations and hold others accountable for performanceand#8226; Knowledge of legal principles, practices, and proceedingsand#8226; Knowledge of state and federal laws, regulations, and rules, including but not limited to the Texas Administrative Procedures Act, the Texas Open Meetings Act, Chapter 21 of the Texas Education Code, and the Public Information Actand#8226; Knowledge of agency administrative rules and regulations, including 19 Texas Administrative Code Part 7and#8226; Skill in identifying problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutionsand#8226; Skill in using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.and#8226; Ability to conduct legal research and analyze findingsand#8226; Ability to draft
