Are you looking for a challenging, non-traditional legal position with a positive work environment and the potential for professional development?
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is seeking several Associate Reviewing Attorneys (ARAs) to join the Agencys Commission Appeals Department, a division of the TWCs Office of General Counsel. The department's main office is located in Austin, Texas, but ARAs are eligible to work statewide and are not limited to the Austin geographic area. The selected candidate must have a secure, dedicated workspace with Internet service, ability to maintain a reliable and consistent work schedule and be available for weekly meetings and group collaboration via Microsoft Teams and other applications during regular business hours. Will need to report to Austin, Texas, as needed.
TWC is not considering applications from individuals who require sponsorship for an employment visa, including those with H1B visas or those currently on student or postgraduate visas. You must be a Texas resident to work for the Texas Workforce Commission or willing to relocate to Texas.
WHO WE ARE:
Texas Workforce Commission connects people with careers across the state. While we are based in Austin on the north lawn of the Texas State Capitol, we have offices statewide and many of our positions are suitable for teleworking. We're a Family Friendly Certified Workplace with great work-life balance, competitive salaries, extensive opportunities for training and development, and fantastic benefits. Commission Appeals is a highly specialized, non-traditional legal practice at TWC, providing essential support to TWCs three Commissioners by listening to and summarizing informal, administrative hearings and making recommendations for case resolution. Our summaries and recommendations in hundreds of cases per month facilitate the administration of Unemployment Benefits, Wage Claims and other programs, as part of TWCs mission to promote and support the workforce system of Texas.
WHO YOU ARE:
You have ability to meet strict production deadlines, foster a positive team attitude, demonstrate strong attention to detail with high volume work, and the ability to handle multiple priorities. As an ARA in Commission Appeals, you will join a select team of self-motivated legal professionals who value having an immediate impact on the citizens and businesses of Texas while working in a positive work environment.
No litigation skills or experience are required. This is a non-litigation position with no employment connection to our primary customer, the Commission offices. An Associate Reviewing Attorney performs entry-level to routine (journey-level) legal work, listening to approximately 18 to 20 recorded hearings per week, extracting relevant facts from testimony and evidence, and drafting written summaries (not transcripts) and other documentation for consideration by the Commissioners and their staff on a weekly cycle. Recommendations conform to existing law, the Texas Unemployment Compensation Act, Texas Payday law, and Commission precedent. The Agency provides legal resources, with minimal need for outside legal research. Our Attorneys may also conduct informal, telephonic hearings in accordance with agency guidelines. ARAs work under moderate supervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. They excel in working independently, but also routinely share ideas to facilitate rapid problem solving and consistency of recommendation. We foster a collaborative, small-team environment, a positive attitude and high quality and timeliness expectations. Many of our Attorneys have been with the department for many years.
WHAT YOU WILL DO:
The Associate Reviewing Attorney (Attorney I) performs entry-level to routine (journey-level) legal work. Work involves examining and preparing legal documents in a timely fashion, rendering legal advice and counsel, conducting hearings, and assisting inpreparing cases for agency resolution. There is no direct involvement with litigation. Works under moderate supervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
YOU WILL BE TRUSTED TO:
-Interpret laws and regulations related to programs administered by TWC.
-Review legal sufficiency of appeals.
-Draft and review legal case summaries and other work product before release to other offices.
-Complete work in a timely fashion.
-Analyze 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.
-Summarize relevant facts and make timely recommendations for the resolution of each case.
-Ensure that recommendations conform to existing law, including TUCA, Texas Payday law and Commission precedent.
-Prepare a decision for each case in conformity to existing law and Commission precedent.
-Prepare correspondence related to such cases.
-May conduct ordered hearings.
-May participate in Rapid Process Improvement (RPI) initiatives.
-Perform 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 as a briefing attorney
-Experience drafting case digests
-Concise writing style
-Demonstrated ability to effectively manage time and accomplish multiple, competing tasks under pressure
-Ability to adapt rapidly and professionally to unanticipated instructions or requirements
-Experience and/or knowledge of legal principals, practices, and proceedings and of laws, regulations and rules related to TWC
-Prior 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 agency 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
-Ability to adapt and willingness to learn
-Personal pride in a job well done for the benefit of others.
YOU QUALIFY WITH:
-Graduation from an accredited law school approved by the American Bar Association and admission to the State Bar of Texas.
YOU GAIN:
-A Family Friendly Certified Workplace.
-Competitive starting salary: $6,048.00-$6,683.04 per 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
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 a State of Texas Application for Employment and apply online at
