TREC - Staff Attorney - Enforcement Division

JOB VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

STAFF ATTORNEY

TREC Enforcement Division

Job Posting Number:

2603-06-ENF

Monthly Salary:

$6,250.00 - $8,175.00

State Classification:

Attorney I, II, or III

Class No./ Group:

U3502, U3503, U3504 / EE00

Location:

Austin, Texas

FLSA Status:

Exempt

Work Week:

Monday-Friday, 40 hours/week

Flexible work schedule / Hybrid telecommuting

Travel:

5%

Benefits of Working at TREC /TALCB

•      Flexible work schedule

•      Hybrid telecommuting

•      Work-life balance

•      96 hours of accrued vacation a year

•      96 hours of accrued sick leave a year

•      10+ paid holidays every year

•        Career advancement opportunities

•        Free downtown parking

•        Free comprehensive medical insurance for full-time employees, and the state pays 50% of premium cost for dependents

Job Summary:

Sharpen your legal writing skills and build deep expertise in Texas real estate law as a Staff Attorney with the Texas Real Estate Commission. In this role, you’ll gain hands-on experience interpreting and applying state laws governing real estate brokerage and general real estate practices, while expanding your litigation skills in a dynamic regulatory environment.

This position is ideal for an attorney passionate about enforcing consumer protection laws and ensuring fair, transparent real estate transactions for Texans.

Attorney I: Performs entry-level to routine (journey-level) legal work. Works under moderate supervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgement.

Attorney II: Performs moderately complex (journey-level) legal work. Works under general supervision, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Attorney III: Performs highly complex (senior-level) legal work. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgement.

No outside professional practice is allowed by any agency employee without prior approval.

Job Duties:

•        Represent the agency in contested cases, preparing and conducting hearings before the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH).

•        Provide legal advice and formal opinions on complex real estate issues.

•        Evaluate consumer complaints and determine appropriate legal action when violations of TREC statutes or rules are alleged.

•        Review and respond to consumer complaints and referred applications

•        Manage a caseload of pending complaints

•        Prepare petitions for hearings; legal opinions, briefs, memos, and other documents as assigned

•        Respond to phone or written inquiries concerning Enforcement Division issues

•        Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

•        Graduation from an accredited law school with a J.D. or L.L.B. degree

•        Licensed by the State Bar of Texas, license must be in good standing

•        Attorney I:   Experience in law practice, either private or government.

•        Attorney II:  Minimum two (2) years experience in law practice, either private or government

•        Attorney III:  Minimum three (3) years of experience in law practice, either private or government

Preferred Qualifications:

•        Work experience with administrative hearings or litigation

•        Work experience in writing pleadings, including petitions and orders

•        Work experience negotiating or drafting settlements

•        Work experience with real estate transactions and contracts

•        Working knowledge of The Real Estate License Act (Chapter 1101, Texas Occupations Code) and other laws administered by the agency

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

•        Effective written and verbal communication skills

•        Skill in operating a personal computer, to include Word, Excel, and Adobe

•        Ability to learn administrative law

•        Ability to learn state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to program areas

•        Ability to write clear and accurate opinions, briefs, pleadings, motions, orders, rules, memoranda, correspondence, etc.

•        Ability to manage a caseload of pending complaints

•        Ability to advise staff, regulated entities, and the public on the interpretation of agency laws and regulations

•        Ability to effectively communicate with the public by phone, in writing, and in person

•        Ability to work with a team to solve problems

•        Ability to multi-task, prioritize work to meet deadlines

•        Ability to review, analyze, and resolve complaints (using administrative hearings and alternative dispute resolution processes) against license holders, including real estate brokers, sales agents, inspectors, instructors, and schools

•        Ability to litigate contested case hearings at the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH)

Environmental & Physical Conditions:

Normal office work environment, mostly sedentary in nature. Involves speaking to groups of people. May involve walking; standing; remaining stationary for long periods of time; pulling and pushing; kneeling, stooping and bending; and safely lifting and carrying items weighing up to 30 pounds. Work involves extensive phone usage and repetitive hand/wrist/finger motions while using the computer. 

How To Apply:

To apply for this position, complete an on-line application either through the TREC CAPPS External Applicant Career Section or through Work In Texas (WIT).

All applications must contain complete job histories, which includes job title, dates of employment, name of employer, supervisor's name and phone number and a description of duties performed. If this information is not submitted, your application may be rejected because it is incomplete. Resumes do not take the place of this required information.

Applications will not be considered until all required documentation is received by TREC/TALCB.

For job opening inquiries or to request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act please contact the TREC Human Resources by phone at 512-936-3604. Applications must be received by the closing date in order to be considered for this posting.

Additional Application Requirements:

Resume and Cover Letter detailing how your experience ties to the position is required

If granted an interview, you will also be required to submit (1) a writing sample (no more than 10 pages, it may be an excerpt), (2) law school transcripts and (3) references.

Employment is contingent on passing a criminal background investigation that will permit a candidate to access the Texas CJIS System.

Military Crosswalk Information:

MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_Legal.pdf

TREC/TALCB provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. Applicants should communicate requests for disability-related accommodations during the application process to Human Resources.  1-800-RELAY TX (for hearing impaired).

TREC participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

Section 651.005 of the Government Code requires males, ages 18 through 25, to provide proof of their Selective Service registration or of their exemption from the requirement as a condition of state employment.

Applicants who possess a valid Texas Real Estate License will be required to place their license in an “Inactive” status.

Only applicants interviewed will be notified of their selection or non-selection.  Resumes will not be accepted in place of a completed application.