General Counsel (Statewide)

Description

WHO WE ARE:

The Texas Workforce Commission connects people with careers across the state. While we are based in Austin on the north lawn of the Texas State Capitol, we have offices statewide. We're a Family Friendly Certified Workplace with great work\-life balance, competitive salaries, extensive opportunities for training and development, and fantastic benefits. This position is in the General Counsel department. While our office is located at 101 E. 15th Street, Austin, Texas, work can be performed from any city in Texas.

TWC is not considering applications from individuals who require sponsorship for an employment visa, including those with H1B visas or those currently on student or postgraduate visas. You must be a Texas resident to work for the Texas Workforce Commission or willing to relocate to Texas.

WHO YOU ARE:

A public\-service\-minded attorney eager to join a team of diligent professionals serious about serving the public’s need for information about our agency and its noble mission. You are self\-starting, motivated, and collaborative problem solver who understands the value of meeting and exceeding expectations.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

Assistant General Counsel I\-II performs moderately complex to complex (journey\-level) legal work in the Office of General Counsel. We are seeking a full\-time Open Records Attorney to serve as the primary legal advisor for the Open Records Department. This role focuses on ensuring compliance with the Texas Public Information Act (PIA) (Texas Government Code Chapter 552\). The ideal candidate will possess strong legal research, analysis, and writing skills to evaluate complex public information requests, determine applicable disclosure requirements or exceptions under the PIA and other relevant state and federal laws, and provide timely legal guidance to agency staff. Works under general supervision, with limited to moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

YOU WILL BE TRUSTED TO:

• Review and analyze incoming public information requests, including voluminous and/or complex submissions, to determine the scope of responsive information.
• Perform legal analysis of responsive records to identify confidential information and apply applicable exceptions under the PIA and other state and federal laws.
• Prepare, draft, and submit timely requests for determinations when asserting exceptions to disclosure, including compiling legal arguments and supporting documentation.
• Provide clear and practical legal advice to agency program staff, leadership, and the Open Records team on PIA compliance, records analysis, appropriate redactions, and risk mitigation.
• Assist Open Records staff with drafting correspondence including cost estimates and required notices to requestors and their attorneys, meeting all statutory deadlines for the disclosure of agency records.
• Draft and update policies, procedures, and templates to create efficient and legally sound open records processes for reviewing, redacting, and releasing information.
• Provide support on matters involving privacy, incident response, and other related legal issues.
• Monitor and analyze developments in the PIA, Attorney General opinions, court decisions, legislation, and other laws affecting the agency’s disclosure obligations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

YOU MAY ALSO BE TRUSTED TO:

• Develop training materials and train Open Records and agency staff.
• May act as a liaison to committees and work groups and may represent the Office of General Counsel at meetings.
• Perform other legal work, including backup for other attorneys in the department as needed.

YOU QUALIFY WITH:

• General Counsel I: Graduation from an accredited law school approved by the American Bar Association and admission to the State Bar of Texas plus two years of experience in the full\-time practice of law, or two years of full\-time experience in a responsible position involving legal work as a primary duty.
• General Counsel II: Graduation from an accredited law school approved by the American Bar Association and admission to the State Bar of Texas plus three years of experience in the full\-time practice of law, or three years of full\-time experience in a responsible position involving legal work as a primary duty.

YOU ARE A GREAT FIT WITH:

• Active license to practice law in the State of Texas (in good standing with the State Bar of Texas).
• Strong legal research, analytical, and writing skills, with the demonstrated ability to review records, identify protected information, and apply relevant legal exceptions and statutes.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to explain complex legal analysis clearly to non\-attorneys.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet tight statutory deadlines in a fast\-paced environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and records/case management tools.
• Familiarity with the Texas Public Information Act and principles of government transparency.
• Experience drafting legal memoranda, policies, or other formal legal documents.

YOU GAIN:

• A Family Friendly Certified Workplace.
• Competitive starting salary: $8,833\.34\-$9,083\.54/month
• Defined Benefit Retirement Plan
• Optional 401(k) and 457 accounts
• Medical Insurance
• Paid time off, including time for vacation, sick and family care leave
• Additional benefits for active employees can be found at https://www.ers.texas.gov/Active\-Employees/Health\-Benefits

VETERANS:

Use your military skills to qualify for this position or other jobs! Go to www.texasskillstowork.com to translate your military work experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications, and skill sets. Also, you can compare this position to military occupations (MOS) at the Texas State Auditor's Office by pasting this link into your browser: https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC\_Legal.pdf

HOW TO APPLY:

To be considered, please complete a State of Texas Application for Employment and apply online at www.workintexas.com or on Taleo (Job Search).

TWC is not considering applications from individuals who require sponsorship for an employment visa, including those with H1B visas or those currently on student or postgraduate visas

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

A position utilizing this classification will be designated as security sensitive according to the Texas Labor Code, Section 301\.042\.

Primary Location: United States\-Texas\-AustinWork Locations: Austin:101 E 15th St (320\-4001\) 101 E 15th St Austin 78778\-0001Job: LawyersOrganization: TWC Business UnitSchedule: Full\-timeEmployee Status: RegularJob Type: StandardJob Level: ManagerTravel: Yes, 10 % of the TimeJob Posting: Apr 19, 2026, 12:00:00 AMWork From Home: No