Attorney Deputy Chief Sr

Full Job Description

Are you looking for career opportunities that provides top-notch benefits including paid vacation and sick leave, outstanding health and dental insurance, a free health clinic for you and your dependents, a generous retirement plan, and much more? Then bring your talents and leadership to Travis County!

Serve as principal legal counsel to the County Attorney on civil matters, board counsel to the Travis County Commissioners Court, and directly oversees the civil division of the County Attorney’s Office which includes approximately 40 attorneys and 50 support staff.

This is second in a series of two attorney-related job classifications within the Senior Management/Middle Management job family.

Reports directly to the Elected Official and functions as the second highest level of management within the department.

Has broad scope of operational and staff responsibility and directs through subordinate division directors.

Requirements

Directs daily operations of divisions and provides executive leadership, management and coordination.

Oversees management and staff, including hiring, performance evaluation, disciplinary actions and dismissals, and monitors consistency of activities with goals and objectives.

Seeks and creates opportunities for improved performance, learning and development of staff. Identifies and addresses problems or conflicts.

Performs advanced legal work, including research, case preparation and Court appearances, as lead counsel on selected cases, including cases of particular difficulty or sensitivity. Confers with legal and investigative staff and provides guidance and direction. Resolves problem case negotiations.

Plans and develops policies, procedures and programs. Supervises planning, development and preparation of annual budget.

Receives and reviews reports, monitors programs and interprets findings. Evaluates current programs, procedures and practices on an on-going basis. Keeps elected official informed on progress of significant cases, sensitive investigations and matters of note.

Meets with entities to establish procedures to facilitate coordination in continuing efforts to improve the criminal and civil justice system.

Serves as liaison with community and judiciary on law enforcement problems and functions as resource person for advice and assistance to prosecutors and law enforcement agencies. Represents the department at community and business gatherings and makes presentations to groups and organizations.

Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:
J.D./LL.B. from an accredited law school AND ten (10) years licensed attorney work experience in diverse civil/criminal matters, including five (5) years of mid- to senior level supervisory or management experience.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:
Licensed to practice law in the State of Texas.

Preferred:
Ten (10) plus years of management experience

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Management and supervisory principles, practices and techniques.
• Jurisprudence, criminal and civil law and procedures, including constitutional and statutory law.
• Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws, rules, regulations and guidelines.
• Methods and practices of pleading cases and of effective techniques for presentation of cases in Court or of effectively presenting facts and precedents verbally and in writing in law related matters.
• Policies, practices, procedures and terminology of assigned function.
• Accounting, purchasing and budgetary theory, principles and practices.
• Investigative techniques.
• Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages.
• Business letter writing, grammar and punctuation, and report preparation.
• May be required to develop knowledge of and adhere to federal and state laws requiring the confidential handling of certain health information.

Skill in:

• Supervising others, allocating resources and evaluating programs.
• Problem-solving and decision-making.
• Analyzing and appraising facts, policies, procedures and legal precedents in area of specialty.
• Trial and appeal of felony offenses.
• Drafting and executing search and arrest warrants.
• Both verbal and written communication, including presentations.

Ability to:

• Motivate, train, supervise and develop attorneys and support staff.
• Analyze and appraise facts, procedures, and legal precedents affecting complex Court cases in area of specialty.
• Conduct legal research and analysis, both manually and electronically.
• Present facts, precedents and arguments verbally and in writing and apply negotiation skills.
• Work independently and efficiently.
• Manage time well, perform multiple tasks and organize diverse activities.
• Work well under pressure and exercise tact in trying situations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, representatives of outside agencies, other County employees and officials, and the general public.

Additional Information

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 10-25 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to standing, walking, sitting, repetitive motion, reaching, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pushing, pulling, balancing, client/customer contact, squatting to perform the essential functions.

Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.

Work Hours: 8 AM - 5 PM; Monday through Friday.
Hybrid Telecommuting available and to be discussed fully during interview.

Location: 314 W. 11th Street, Austin, Texas 78701

Department: County Attorney

Criminal Background Check, Driving Record, Education, and Employment History Check Required.

For updates or questions on this position, contact: Chantelle.Abruzzo@traviscountytx.gov