Assistant General Counsel

SALARY: $80,627.69 – $92,721.05 Annually  

OPENING DATE: 03/18/2024  

CLOSING DATE: Continuous  

LOCATION: 401 W. Sixth Street, Georgetown, TX  

DEPARTMENT: Commissioners Court  

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 No prior history of disciplinary sanctions issued by any state bar association
Required within thirty (30) days of employment   Valid Texas 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 (512) 943-1533 or visit our website at www.wilco.org/hr.     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 and non-tobacco products such as vapor, e-cigarettes and the use of chewing tobacco or like products is prohibited on all Williamson County premises. Employees who violate this policy are subject to appropriate disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.
 
APPLICATIONS MAY BE FILED ONLINE AT:
http://www.wilco.org/hr

OUR OFFICE IS LOCATED AT:
Human Resources
100 Wilco Way, Suite HR101
Georgetown, TX 78626
512-943-1533
[email protected]

Assistant General Counsel Supplemental Questionnaire    
* 1. Do you have a Doctorate of Jurisprudence from an accredited law school? Yes  No  
* 2. Are you a member of the State Bar of Texas in good standing or have the ability to gain admission by date of hire? Yes     No  
* 3. Do you have any prior history of disciplinary sanctions issued by any state bar association? Yes     No 
* 4. Do you have knowledge of county, municipal, state, federal and common law, including their relationship to the authority and functions of a Texas county government. Yes    No   
* 5. Do you have working knowledge of Westlaw, Microsoft Office Suite, and Adobe Acrobat? Yes     No 
* 6. Do you possess or have the ability to obtain a valid Texas driver’s license within 30 days of hire? Yes     No 
* Required Question