Job/Position DescriptionPerforms 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.Essential Job FunctionsAttends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned. Plans and organizes legal activities: and#149;Manages the legal workload to ensure deadlines are met to ensure successful outcomes for the agency. and#149;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: and#149;Prepares or supervises the preparation of legal opinions, briefs, contracts, notices, memoranda, reports, and other documents. and#149;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.and#149;Coordinates and responds to open records requests. and#149;Monitors changes in state and federal court cases, and rules. Coordinates and hears administrative, regulatory, evidentiary, and enforcement hearings:and#149; Coordinates specialized legal efforts with appropriate experts.and#149; Prepares cases for court trial, schedules hearings, interrogates witnesses, and prepares pleadings. and#149; Draft fair hearing orders for adoption assistance and permanency care assistance denials as needed. and#149; Draft 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:and#149;Provides expertise and instruction in family law, civil litigation, governmental and other state and federal laws, regulations, and agency policy to staff and public.and#149;Advises outside, county and district attorneys on legal matters. and#149;Coordinates and advises staff and the public on legal matters and on the interpretation and application of agency regulations and state and federal laws.and#149;Provides legal training to agency staff and the legal community on the interpretation and application of agency regulations and state and federal laws. and#149;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.and#149;Provides legal assistance on adverse actions.Enforces agency regulatory provisions and prosecutes violations:and#149;Enforces required state and federal regulatory provisions for program areas to reduce liability of adverse impact on the agency. and#149;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: and#149;D https://jobshrportal.hhsc.state.tx.us/ENG/CareerPortal/job_profile.cfm?szOrderID=597918 Copy the URL in the preceding sentence to an Internet Explorer browser to apply to the job directly through the Texas Health and Human Services Career Portal.