Chief Counsel

Education and Experience:
J.D. from an accredited law school AND ten (10) years’ experience in civil Child Protective Services legal case work, including four (4) years of mid- to senior level supervisory or management experience.
 
Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:
Licensed to practice law in the State of Texas or able to obtain a Texas law license within one (1) year.
 
Knowledge of:

• Supervisory principles, practices, and techniques.

• Legal principles and practices include civil, criminal, juvenile, constitutional, and administrative law and procedures.

• Philosophy and practices of area of specialty

• Principles, methods, materials, and practices of legal research.

• Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws, rules, regulations, and guidelines.

• Methods, practices, and applications of civil trial law and effective techniques in the presentation of cases in court.

• Trial procedures and rules of evidence.

• Investigative techniques.

• Texas Family Law, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, Texas Penal Code, and governing federal, state and county laws and procedures.

• Policies, practices, procedures, and legal terminology related to court system.

• Computer equipment includes word processing, spreadsheets, databases, case management software, and a variety of software packages.

• Business letter writing, grammar and punctuation, and report preparation.

Skill in:

• Supervising others, allocating resources, and evaluating programs.

• Problem-solving and decision-making.

• Analyzing and appraising facts, policies, procedures, and legal precedents in area of specialty.

• Both verbal and written communication, including presentations.

Ability to:

• Lead, train, supervise, and develop attorneys and support staff.

• Analyze and appraise facts, procedures, and legal precedents affecting complex court cases in the area of specialty.

• Supervise investigations and handle civil actions.

• Conduct legal research and analysis, both manually and electronically.

• Present facts, precedents, and arguments verbally and in writing and apply negotiation skills.

• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.

• Work independently and efficiently.

• Manage time well, perform multiple tasks and organize diverse activities.

• Work well under pressure and exercise tact in trying situations.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, representatives of outside agencies, other County employees and officials and the public.

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 25 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to standing, walking, sitting, repetitive motion, reaching, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pushing, pulling, balancing, client/customer contact, squatting to perform the essential functions.

Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

This job description is intended to be generic in nature.  It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities.  The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.

Work Hours: 8am - 5pm, Monday- Friday
Location: 700 Lavaca St., Austin, TX
Department: Community Legal Services