TCEQ - Attorney I - II

Are you an experienced Attorney, ready for a unique opportunity to grow with an environmental state agency?

Join TCEQ! We bring passion and drive to carry out our mission of protecting our state’s public health and natural resources.

YOUR FUTURE TEAM

This position is a member of our Office of Public Interest Counsel (OPIC). OPIC works on the Commissioners side of the agency and provides independent recommendations to the Commissioners as they establish overall agency direction and policy and make final determinations on contested permitting and enforcement matters. See details about what we do.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

Attorney I

• Perform responsible professional legal work for the Office of Public Interest Counsel at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
• Represent the Office of Public Interest Counsel in administrative hearings, public meetings, agency agenda meetings, and at alternative dispute resolution proceedings.
• Advise the Public Interest Counsel on the interpretation of applicable state laws and agency rules.
• Participate in agency rulemaking proposals by conducting reviews and analysis and provides recommendations to the commission. Respond to requests from the public for information on general litigation and case-specific matters.

Attorney II

• Perform responsible professional legal work for the Office of Public Interest Counsel at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
• Represent the OPIC as a party in all phases of complex contested cases throughout the state.
• Develop and deliver presentations or briefs on complex legal and regulatory issues in a variety of forums, including public meetings, contested case hearings, and Commission Agenda meetings.
• Complete related tasks including the analysis of proposed rules and pending legislation, mentoring activities for newer attorneys, and participate in intra-agency workgroups.
• Participate in Alternative Dispute Resolution processes as an informal mediator and/or party.
• Respond to requests from the public for information on general litigation and case-specific matters.

KEY QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in preparing for or participating in litigation of contested environmental cases at the TCEQ or the Texas State Office of Administrative Hearings, or participation in formal contested proceedings before other state agencies or administrative tribunals, or in state or federal courts.
• Experience preparing legal briefs or memoranda on environmental quality issues or administrative law issues.
• Completion of classes on environmental law or participation in environmental law clinics.
• Experience reviewing and preparing written analyses of environmental regulations or proposed rulemakings.
• Experience responding to requests from the public regarding general litigation and procedural matters.

REQUIRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Attorney I

Admission to the State Bar of Texas.

Attorney II

Admission to the State Bar of Texas plus three years of full-time experience in the practice of law, or employment in a responsible position involving legal work as a primary duty, or one year six months in the practice of environmental law or employment involving environmental legal issues.

OR

Career Ladder Progression: One year and six months of full-time experience as an Attorney I for the TCEQ.

Employees in this classification series may research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure, including but not limited to a communication infrastructure system, cybersecurity system, electric grid, hazardous waste treatment system, or water treatment facility. See Tex. Business & Commerce Code Section 117.001(2).  Accordingly, the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure is a requirement to be hired for and to continue to be employed with TCEQ.

CURRENT TCEQ EMPLOYEES

Attorney I

This position is also available as a lateral transfer opportunity (LTO) to TCEQ employees within the Attorney I state classification. The selected candidate must meet the minimum qualifications of the corresponding job in the Attorney I series.

Attorney II

This position is also available as a lateral transfer opportunity (LTO) to TCEQ employees within the Attorney II state classification. The selected candidate must meet the minimum qualifications of the corresponding job in the Attorney II series.

Work Schedule

Standard business hours are M-F, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Individual and work group schedule determined by the TCEQ Office of General Counsel. OPIC is transitioning to a hybrid work week schedule with 3 days in-office and 2 days remote.

BENEFITS

• Optional 401(k) and 457 plans
• Insurance: Health, Vision, Dental, and optional FSA
• Paid day(s) off from work on national holidays and holidays that the state observes
• Professional development opportunities
• Longevity pay based on your number of years working for the state
• Wellness Program and Activities
• Onsite Nurse Practitioner in HQ
• Work-Life Balance

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT

TCEQ will conduct a criminal history records search, driving history (if required for the job) on candidates offered employment.

In compliance with ADA, if you need any special accommodations during the employment process, please contact HRSS for assistance at (512) 239-0102.

MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY (MOS) CODES

Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes can be found at: https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions/. Please click the hyperlink under ‘Occupational Category’ for the respective Class Title.

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is an Equal Opportunity Employer.