Williamson County, TX

Assistant General Counsel

Williamson County, TX, Georgetown, TX

Salary : $80,627.69 - $92,721.05 Annually

Location : Georgetown: 401 W. Sixth Street, TX

Job Type: Full-Time

Job Number: 14.02666

Department: Commissioners Court

Opening Date: 06/05/2024

Closing Date: Continuous

FLSA: Exempt

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting directly to the General Counsel of the Williamson County Commissioners Court, responsible for providing legal representation to the Commissioners Court, governmental departments serving under the Court and, periodically, various Williamson County elected and appointed officials. Representation includes but is not limited to a variety of local government law areas such as litigation, transactional, and open governmental matters affecting and concerning Williamson County.
EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED

Assists with providing legal oversight and advice to the Williamson County Purchasing Department relating to procurement issues, laws, and requirements, as well as providing legal review of Williamson County bids and requests for proposals and qualifications
Assists with drafting, reviewing, revising, and negotiating contracts to which Williamson County is a party to including county roads, parks and building construction contracts; professional services agreements for architectural, engineering, surveying, and consulting services; purchase agreements for services and goods; inter local agreements between a multitude of federal, state, and local entities, etc.
Participates and assists in on-going contract management
Research, reviews, drafts, analyzes, and amends county policies; assists with implementation, advises on, and assists with civil enforcement of policies, regulations and resolutions adopted by or to be recommended for adoption by the Williamson County Commissioners Court
Assists senior counsel with legal research and preparation of legal opinions on complex legal issues for the Williamson County Commissioners Court
Periodically acts as a liaison between the Williamson County Commissioners Court, Williamson County's outside counsel and Williamson County's insurance carriers
Periodically attends regular and confidential executive sessions of the Williamson County Commissioners Court and provides legal opinions and advice on parliamentary procedure, contemplated actions, and implementation of policy and agenda for the Williamson County Commissioners Court
Assists with providing legal advice and assistance on open government matters (Texas Open Meetings Act and Texas Public Information Act), including the drafting of legal briefs and requests for rulings to the Attorney General of Texas
Assists with review of applications for pauper burials, prepares related orders for Commissioners Court
Conducts legal research and analysis in preparation for legal opinions to the Williamson County Commissioners Court and Williamson County officials upon request, including but not limited to research and analysis of employment/personnel issues, confidential documents and sensitive materials to be deliberated or used by the Williamson County Commissioners Court, state, local and federal legal matters, and public policy matters
Provides legal advice and counsel as a confidential trusted advisor to the Williamson County Commissioners Court regarding legal inquiries submitted by public individuals and entities to members of the Williamson County Commissioners Court and on the legal authority and duties of the Williamson County Commissioners Court
Assists senior counsel with legal representation to defend Williamson County and/or Williamson County officials in tort, civil rights, employment, and other litigation in State and Federal courts, including conducting discovery/depositions, trials and appeals
Assists senior counsel with providing legal representation to Williamson County as plaintiff or claimant in civil actions or claims for damages or monetary recovery, including contract matters and contract litigation, as well as other litigation in State and Federal courts, including the drafting of petitions and conducting discovery/depositions, trials and appeals
Assists senior counsel with providing legal advice on proposed claims resolutions and communicates with claimants or attorneys representing claimants regarding claims, lawsuits and demands
Communicates frequently with the Commissioners Court members and other elected and appointed Williamson County officials, department heads and employees, attorneys, and opposing attorneys
Corresponds and communicates orally, in writing and by electronic mail, with Williamson County elected and appointed officials, employees, and citizens
Attends all meetings and trainings, as required
Performs other duties as assigned

ORGANIZATION RELATIONSHIPS

Reports directly to - General Counsel of the Williamson County Commissioners Court
Direct Reports - No

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Position involves prolonged sitting at a desk or other workstation, standing, reading, visual examination of documents, speaking, reaching, walking, twisting, bending and repetitive motions

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

Work is primarily indoors in an air-conditioned environment
Some travel between work sites as required
High stress, high pressure of deadlines, and case management under limited time constraints
Work is performed onsite in a county facility and is not a remote work position

IRREGULAR HOURS

Work outside of the normal office hours (Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) may be required
May be deemed essential personnel in the event of an emergency

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified in this position. This job description is subject to change as the needs and requirements of the job change.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD) from an accredited law school
Knowledge of county, municipal, state, federal and common law, including their relationship to the authority and functions of Texas county government
Strong analytical and communication skills, verbal and written, are essential to effectively and objectively advise and/or interact with personnel, external agencies, and outside legal counsel on legal matters
Working knowledge of Westlaw, Microsoft Office Suite, and Adobe Acrobat

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Required

Currently licensed to practice law in the State of Texas and in good standing with the State Bar of Texas
1. No prior history of disciplinary sanctions issued by any state bar association

Required within thirty (30) days of employment

Valid driver's license

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Previous experience with public sector transactional work, particularly transactions relating to Texas counties and municipalities
Two (2) years of experience as an attorney in the practice of law for a county, municipality, or state governmental agency OR two (2) years experience as an attorney in general civil, litigation and transactional law
Experience representing governing bodies of local Texas governments, with representation of Texas commissioners courts or city councils
Admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas
Previous experience handling Texas Public Information Act matters and Texas Open Meetings Act matters
A clear knowledge and understanding of contractual principals and theory with previous experience handling transactional and procurement matters for a local government, with such experience with Texas counties or municipalities being preferred

EMPLOYMENT TESTING
Employment is contingent on passing any post-offer pre-employment screening as listed below:

Criminal background check: Yes
Motor Vehicle Record check: Yes
Drug screening: No
Physical exam: No
Psychological exam: No
Additional: N/A

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

A Williamson County online application (resumes alone are not sufficient) must be received before the position is closed. Positions are open until filled, subject to close at any time after five (5) business days. The Human Resources Department is located at 100 Wilco Way, Georgetown, TX 78626. Phone ([redacted] or visit our website at

Williamson County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). If you require an accommodation in order to apply for a position, please request assistance from the Human Resources Department.

TOBACCO FREE WORKPLACE POLICY
Williamson County is a tobacco free workplace. The use of tobacco products (e.g., cigarettes, cigars, pipes, snuff, chew, etc.) and Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) (e.g., vapor, e-cigarettes, etc.) prohibited on all Williamson County premises. Employees who violate this policy are subject to appropriate disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.

Williamson County offers a full range of employee benefit programs for eligible full-time employees, retirees, and their families. These programs include group health plans for medical and dental coverage; an Employee Assistance Program (EAP); life; short- term disability and long-term disability insurance; and flexible spending accounts for health care and dependent care reimbursements.

The County also provides retirement benefits. Full-time & part-time employees participate in the Texas County & District Retirement System (TCDRS), and employees may also participate in a retirement savings program (Deferred Compensation). In addition to these basic employee benefits and retirement services, employees benefit from a variety of other programs including 12 paid holidays. For more details please contact Williamson County Human Resources at [redacted].

01

Do you have a Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD) from an accredited law school?

02

Are you a member of the State Bar of Texas or have the ability to gain admission by date of hire?

03

Do you have any prior history of disciplinary sanctions issued by any state bar association?

04

Do you have comprehensive, in-depth knowledge of county, municipal, state, federal and common law, including their relationship to the authority and functions of Texas county government?

05

Do you have working knowledge of Westlaw, Microsoft Office Suite, and Adobe Acrobat?

06

Do you possess or have the ability to obtain a valid driver's license within 30 days of hire?

Required Question