Associate Counsel; Attorney IV

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) oversees primary and secondary public education in Texas and is committed to improving outcomes for all public school students by providing leadership, guidance, and support to school systems across the state.

• We are Determined:
  We are committed and intentional in pursuing our primary purpose of improving outcomes for students.
• We are People-Centered:
  We strive to attract, develop, and retain committed talent that reflects the diversity of Texas, with each individual contributing to our shared vision for students.
• We are Learners:
  We seek evidence, reflect on outcomes, and continuously improve in pursuit of excellence for students.
• We are Servant Leaders:
  We are public servants committed to improving opportunities for students and supporting those who serve them.

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 positions posted salary range.

Only new hires are eligible for this increase.

The Associate Counsel for Authorizing works in the Office of General Counsel to provide legal counsel, coordination, and advice to the Deputy Associate Commissioner and staff of the Division of Authorizing on application process, renewal applications, complaints process, amendments, and all other legal matters affecting charter schools and related entities and the students they serve, and by monitoring and participating in agency matters, including assisting the Attorney General in court proceedings related to charter property actions;

providing support for charter school investigations and interventions; researching and interpreting the law; developing rules and statutory language; providing legal advice related to monitoring, investigations, school financial audits, academic and financial accountability ratings, and accreditation for charters, and recovery of state property held by closed charters.

Conducts depositions and hearings under the Administrative Procedures Act (APA) before the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) throughout the state, if a school district or open-enrollment charter school challenges the findings of an agency report.

This position coordinates with and reports to the Deputy General Counsel for Governmental, Fiscal, and Regulatory Matters and works under limited direction, with extensive latitude for initiative and independent judgment.

This position requires up to 10% travel, based on business needs, to support program initiatives, collaboration, and operational priorities.

Flexible work location within the state of Texas may be considered for qualified candidates.

Applicants who are strongly being considered for employment must submit to a national criminal history background check.

Job duties are not limited to the essential functions mentioned below. You may perform other functions as assigned.

1) Legal Support for Authorizing Division and Other Divisions: Provides legal advice and support to the Authorizing Division, the Commissioner, and the State Board of Education regarding charter schools, including rule making and presentations at charter school trainings, as needed. Provides legal support to other agency divisions for matters related to districts of innovation.

2) Legal Support for Charter Applications, Amendments, and Renewals: Provides comprehensive legal support to Authorizing staff for charter applications and requests for charter amendments and renewals before their consideration by the State Board of Education and/or the Commissioner.

3) Authorizing-related Litigation: Prepares and presents contested cases under charter school laws and regulations, as well as other applicable laws and regulations, to administrative law judges at the SOAH, schedules hearings, interrogates witnesses, and prepares administrative appeals of decisions and rulings.

4) Charter Contract and Charter-related Grant Legal Review: Reviews and manages contracts under TEC §12.126, contracts for charter under TEC §12.113, 1882 partnership contracts, and eligibility for CSP grant awards under TEC §7.031.

5) Charter Application, Amendment, and Renewal Legal Review: Reviews and approves…