[Hiring] System Contracting Attorney @Texas Health & Human Services Commission

Role Description

The Health and Human Services system (HHS) is hiring attorneys to join the System Contracting Department in the Legal Services Division of the HHS Office of Chief Counsel (OCC). System Contracting provides legal support related to HHS procurement and contract activities, including:

• Reviewing, drafting, and negotiating solicitation documents, contracts, amendments, memoranda of understanding, and interagency agreements.
• Interpreting state and federal laws, regulations, and rules.
• Rendering legal advice and counsel to HHS agency personnel on procurement and contracting issues.

This position performs highly complex (senior-level) legal work with respect to the agency’s procurements, grants, contracting, and enforcement of contracts to ensure agency and contractor compliance with state and federal laws and regulations regarding contracts. Duties include:

• Legal review, drafting, advice, and opinions on contracts, grants, and procurement matters.
• Representing the agency in procurement matters, contract negotiations, and disputes, including protests and contract-related claims.
• Participating in assigned projects that may include development of policies, rules, procedures, and forms, together with review and implementation of legislative changes.

The successful candidate will collaborate with program managers and procurement professionals on a wide variety of healthcare contracts that impact the daily lives of Texans.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university.
• Must hold a Juris Doctor or LLB degree from an accredited law school.
• Experience with contract drafting, review, and negotiation preferred.
• Experience with IT contracting, government procurement, and federally funded contracts preferred.
• Three years’ experience in the practice of law preferred.
• Licensed to practice law in the State of Texas.
• Member in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.

Requirements

• Knowledge of fundamentals of contract law, government procurement law, and Texas state agency contracts.
• Knowledge in reviewing, developing, negotiating, and management of contracts and grants.
• Knowledge of legal principles, practices, and proceedings.
• Knowledge of federal and state statutes, regulations, and policies affecting health and human services agency programs.
• Skill in efficient legal research including use of Westlaw and other internet legal research.
• Skill in conducting research, summarizing findings, and using legal reference materials.
• Skill in foreseeing legal implications of contract terms and procurement actions.
• Exceptionally skilled in oral and written communication to a wide range of audiences.
• Ability to organize and manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to analyze moderately complex to advanced factual and legal issues related to a wide variety of federal and state laws.

Benefits

• 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees.
• A defined benefit pension plan.
• Generous time off benefits.
• Numerous opportunities for career advancement.