Contracts Attorney III

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  Contracts Attorney III
• Job Title: Attorney III
• Agency: Dept of Family & Protectve Svc
• Department: General Counsel - Cen Admin
• Posting Number: 7456
• Closing Date: 01/19/2026
• Posting Audience: Internal and External
• Occupational Category: Legal
• Salary Group: TEXAS-B-26
• Salary Range: $6,377.50-$10,785.83
• Pay Frequency: Monthly
• Shift: Day
• Telework: Eligible for Telework
• Travel: Up to 35%
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Full Time/Part Time: Full time
• FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt
• Job Location City: AUSTIN
• Job Location Address: 4900 N LAMAR BLVD
• MOS Codes: 27A, 27B, 250, 2505, LN, 4421, 2535, 2591, 51JX, 92J0, 2510, 2529, 2560, 4405, 4406, 4407, 4408, 4409, 4410, 4417, 47E

*** This is primarily a contracts position.***

Performs highly complex (senior-level) legal work. Work involves overseeing and planning legal activities, preparing legal documents, participating in hearings, interpreting laws and regulations, and rendering legal advice and counsel. May supervise the work of others. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

• Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned. Plans and organizes legal activities.
• Manages the legal workload to ensure deadlines are met to ensure successful outcomes for the agency.
• Interacts routinely with caseworkers, supervisors, program directors, and program administrators; agency attorneys, county and district attorneys, assistant attorney generals, and opposing counsel; judges, agency clients, witnesses, community professionals, and expert witnesses; and protective services clients and the general public regarding legal activities.
• Coordinates the preparation of legal opinions, briefs, contracts, proposals, and reports.
• Prepares or supervises the preparation of legal opinions, briefs, contracts, notices, memoranda, reports, and other documents.
• Researches legal concepts, case law, judicial opinions, statutes, regulations on issues of concern and implication to DFPS, and drafts formal and informal memos for DFPS programs and executive management staff.
• Coordinates and responds to open records requests.
• Monitors changes in state and federal court cases, and rules.
• Coordinates and hears administrative, regulatory, evidentiary, and enforcement hearings.
• Coordinates specialized legal efforts with appropriate experts.
• Prepares cases for court trial, schedules hearings, interrogates witnesses, and prepares pleadings.
• Drafts fair hearing orders for adoption assistance and permanency care assistance denials as needed.
• Drafts legal sufficiency reviews for investigation findings that are appealed as needed.
• Advises staff and the public on legal matters and on the interpretation and application of agency regulations and state and federal laws.
• Provides expertise and instruction in family law, civil litigation, governmental and other state and federal laws, regulations, and agency policy to staff and public.
• Advises outside, county and district attorneys on legal matters.
• Coordinates and advises staff and the public on legal matters and on the interpretation and application of agency regulations and state and federal laws.
• Provides legal training to agency staff and the legal community on the interpretation and application of agency regulations and state and federal laws.
• Conducts presentations and provides information and testimony to agency leadership, legislative committees, state and federal agencies, and other groups and organizations on all matters that the agency may request information or on issues that external entities have expressed concerns related to agency actions.
• Provides legal assistance on adverse actions.
• Enforces agency regulatory provisions and prosecutes violations.
• Enforces required state and federal regulatory provisions for program areas to reduce liability of adverse impact on the agency.
• Prosecutes violations of state and federal regulatory provisions for program areas as required by said provisions to reduce liability of adverse impact.
• Reviews drafts of laws, rules, and regulations affecting agency operations.
• Drafts and reviews Memoranda of Understanding, policies and procedures, rules, and notices for the CPS program and other agency programs as needed.
• Provides consultation and advice concerning case specific questions and general issues of concern to DFPS programs and divisions.
• Consults on legal risks and liabilities on agency proposed actions and advises on ways to mitigate legal risks.
• Monitors changes in state and federal agency rules.
• Provides general support to DFPS programs in their activities to ensure compliance with applicable laws.
• Schedules hearings, interrogates witnesses, and prepares decisions on administrative appeals of decisions and rulings.
• Represents the agency in matters before a court or in administrative hearings…