CBC Attorney IV

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) works to build on strengths of families and communities to keep children and vulnerable adults safe, so they thrive. We do this through investigations, services, and referrals.

What You Get Beyond Your Paycheck

When you join the State of Texas, your monthly paycheck is just one part of your real income. Our benefits provide extra value that many private employers simply don't match-often adding hundreds of dollars each month to what you take home or save.

Here's what you get as a full-time employee:

• 100% paid health insurance for you, and 50% paid for eligible family members-saving you hundreds every month in out-of-pocket medical costs
• Retirement plans with lifetime monthly payments after five years of state service, plus options to save even more with 401(k) and 457 plans
• Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave so you can recharge and take care of life outside work (that's time off you're actually paid for)
• Optional dental, vision, and life insurance-at rates much lower than most private plans
• Flexible spending accounts for added tax savings on health and dependent care
• Employee discounts on things like gym memberships, electronics, and entertainment

You also might qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, which could help you pay off federal student loans faster.

You can see all the details here: ERS recruitment brochure

Functional Title: CBC Attorney IV

Job Title: Attorney IV

Agency: Dept of Family & Protectve Svc

Department: General Counsel - Cen Admin

Posting Number: 15323

Closing Date: 06/24/2026

Posting Audience: Internal and External

Occupational Category: Protective Services

Salary Range: $7,716.66 - $13,051.00

Pay Frequency: Monthly

Salary Group: TEXAS-B-28

Shift: Day

Additional Shift:

Telework:

Travel: Up to 10%

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Full Time/Part Time: Full time

FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt

Facility Location:

Job Location City: AUSTIN

Job Location Address: 4900 N LAMAR BLVD

Other Locations:

MOS Codes: 4402,4405,4406,4407,4408,4409,4410,4411,4417,250X,27A,51JX,92J0,LGL10,LGL11

GENERAL JOB DESCRIPTION:

Performs advanced (senior-level) legal work involving examining and preparing legal documents, interpreting laws and regulations, rendering legal advice and counsel, consulting with trial attorneys, conducting hearings, and preparing cases for agency hearings and/or trials. Works under minimal supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. This position will be a direct report to the General Counsel and work under the General Counsel's direction.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Coordinate, formulate, and establish policies and procedures.

• Reviews and advises on the development of agency CBC contracting and monitoring.
• Provides legal advice regarding CBC contracts and its monitoring. Provides legal assistance on adverse actions and other contract remedies.
• Drafts, reviews, and analyzes state and federal legislation that impacts the agency and CBC contract operations.

Review drafts of bills or amendments for legislative consideration.

• Drafts and analyze state and federal legislation regarding CBC operations.
• Determines when legislative initiatives are required for statutory changes to help the CBC program effectively carry out their duties through review of gaps in policy or the law.
• Assists DFPS CBC program staff in understanding the impact of the bill and actions the agency will need to take if the bill passes to ensure compliance with the law and to make sure staff are meeting required statutory timeframes.
• Provide timely and expert resource assistance to DFPS government relations staff and the legal legislative coordinator.
• Respond to questions from the state legislative offices concerning existing law, potential statutory changes, and current program policies and procedures as needed.
• Testifies and serve as a resource witness during legislative hearings.

Prepare subpoenas requiring the appearance of witnesses, records, and documents for hearings and civil litigations.

Enforce regulatory provisions and prosecute violations.

• Enforces required state and federal regulatory provisions for program areas to reduce liability of adverse impact on the agency.
• Prosecutes violations of state and federal regulatory provisions for program areas as required by said provisions to reduce liability of adverse impact.

Review drafts of laws, rules, and regulations affecting agency operations.

• Drafts and reviews of legal instruments and regulations in accordance with agency's legal authority and with state and federal laws and regulations relating to CBC contracts and contract management.
• Drafts and reviews of CBC Memoranda of Understanding, policies and procedures, rules, and notices that relate to CBC contracts and other agency programs as needed.
• Provides consultation and advice concerning case specific CBC contract and contract management questions and general issues of concern to DFPS programs and divisions.
• Consults on legal risks and liabilities on agency proposed actions and advises on ways to mitigate legal risks.
• Monitors changes in state and federal agency rules.
• Provides general support to DFPS programs in their activities to ensure compliance with applicable laws.

Schedule hearings, interrogate witnesses, and prepare decisions on administrative appeals of decisions and rulings.

• Represents the agency in matters before a court or in SOAH hearings as appropriate.
• Handles informal administrative appeals.

Draft memoranda on regulatory matters and administrative rules for the Texas Register.

• Draft and refine memoranda and guide rulemaking through all required stages of the process, including preparation for publication in the Texas Register and adoption in the Texas Administrative Code as needed.

Serve as a liaison with complainants to be represented in an administrative hearing or with their authorized representatives.

• Serve as the agencys representative hearings before the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH), including cases involving the Texas Workforce Commission, ensuring accurate presentation of agency policies, procedures, and regulatory positions.

Prepare and/or assist in preparing cases for trial and represent the agency in matters before a court as appropriate.

• Prepares documents required for CBC cases, including briefs and other court documents.
• Monitors the progress of all DFPS CBC cases within the assigned area of responsibility and takes appropriate measures to ensure the timely and appropriate resolution of those cases.
• Prepares and reviews exhibits and discovery, summarizing materials.

Advises staff and the public on legal matters and the interpretation and application of agency regulations and state and federal laws.

• Advises and prepares agency training materials and presents to internal and external stakeholders.
• Provides expertise and instruction in family law, civil litigation, governmental and other state and federal laws, regulations, and agency policy to staff and public.
• Advises outside, county and district attorneys on legal matters.
• Coordinates and advises staff and the public on legal matters and on the interpretation and application of agency regulations and state and federal laws.
• Provides legal training to agency staff and the legal community on the interpretation and application of agency regulations and state and federal laws.
• 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.
• Provides legal assistance on adverse actions.

Prepares legal opinions, briefs, contracts, proposals, and reports.

• Advises Agency leadership and CBC contracting staff on federal and state laws and regulations. Consults with management concerning legal ramifications of possible changes in overall practices and procedures
• Coordinates and advises staff and the public on legal matters and on the interpretation and application of agency regulations and state and federal laws.
• Analyzes agency compliance with state agency reporting requirements, records management requirements, open government requirements, or other statutory requirements.

Conducts and/or assists in conducting administrative, regulatory, evidentiary, and enforcement hearings.

• Drafts substantive legal documents, including opinions, briefs, and memoranda that include analyses of agency authority under state and federal law.
• Coordinates materials for potential litigation matters in coordination with the Office of the Attorney General, as necessary.
• Represents agency in CBC contract negotiations and disputes, including protests and contract-related claims, as well as other matters as requested by agency management.
• Serves as liaison between agency and agency's legal counsel in administrative or contested case hearings.
• Represents agency in state district, county and child protection courts.

Performs related work as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Ability to maintain the security and integrity of the infrastructure per Governor Abbot Executive Order GA-48.

Knowledge of legal principles, practices, and proceedings; state and federal laws, rules, and regulations; and agency administrative rules and regulations.

Knowledge of fundamentals of contract law, government law and Texas state agency contracts.

Knowledge in reviewing, developing, negotiating, and management of contracts and grants.

Knowledge of Texas procurement and contracting laws.

Skill in legal research, writing, and analysis; in the use of a computer and applicable software; in applying reasoning and logic; in identifying and solving complex problems; in prioritizing workloads; and in using judgment to identify courses of action.

Skill in efficient legal research including use of Westlaw and other internet legal research.

Skill in interpreting statutes and reviewing, understanding, and explaining the meaning and impact of pending legislation.

Skill in conducting research, to summarize findings, and to use legal reference materials.

Skill in foreseeing legal implications of contract terms and procurement and contract actions and advice accordingly.

Skill in exceptional oral and written communication skills to a wide range of audiences.

Skill in identifying relevant legal issues.

Skill in organizing and expressing complex legal problems clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.

Skill in preparing opinions, contracts, rules, and policies and procedures.

Skill in preparing high-quality, complex procurement and contractual documents.

Skill in identifying problems, evaluating alternatives, and implementing solutions.

Skill in demonstrating sound judgment and reasonable tolerance of ambiguity in the performance of job duties.

Skill in working collaboratively and cooperatively with clients, other government officers and employees, and stakeholder groups.

Skill in articulating legal concepts to management and other stakeholders.

Skill in providing legal representation in administrative or contested case hearings.

Skill in courtroom advocacy

Ability to conduct hearings, to prepare opinions and briefs, to prepare cases for trial, to conduct research, to summarize findings, to interpret and apply laws, to use legal reference materials, and to communicate effectively.

Ability to supervise others.

Ability to manage multiple priorities.

Ability to utilize legal experience and training to assist in developing policies and training to safeguard federal funds flowing to agency, minimize liability and avoid risk to clients.

Ability to analyze moderately complex to advanced factual and legal issues related to a wide variety of federal and state laws.

Ability to organize and manage in a timely fashion multiple tasks of varying priorities and to make efficient use of time and resources.

Ability to think creatively and apply clear, logical problem-solving techniques.

Ability to maintain professional and collegial relations with all levels of management and staff at the DFPS, as well as with other agencies' management and staff and the public.

LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION OR REGISTRATION:

Must be licensed as an attorney by the State of Texas.

INITIAL SCREENING CRITERIA:

Experience in legal work. Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (JD) degree.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Member must be in good standing of the State Bar of Texas.

Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor's Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditors Office - Job Descriptions. You may also contact the DFPS Military Liaison at dfpsmilvets@dfps.texas.gov with additional questions.

Applicants selected for hire must pass a background check and if applicable a driver's record check.

State of Texas employees are required to maintain the security and integrity of critical infrastructure as defined in Section 117.001(2), State of Texas Business and Commerce Code. Applicants selected for hire comply with this code by completing related training and abiding by agency cybersecurity and communications system usage policies.

As a state agency, DFPS is required by Texas Administrative Code (TAC 206 and 213) to ensure all Electronic Information Resources (EIR) follow accessibility standards. The staff must be familiar with the WCAG 2.1 AA and Section 508 to create accessible content including but not limited to; Microsoft Office documents, Adobe PDFs, webpages, software, training guides, video, and audio files.

DFPS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Employees must provide documentation to DFPS to show their identity and authorization to work in the US. Please review the following link for authorized documents: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents .

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS/DFPS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS/DFPS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.