Administrative Hearings Attorney IV - Senior Level

WHY WORK FOR DFPS?

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) is responsible for protecting the unprotected — children, elderly, and people with disabilities — from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. DFPS accomplishes this responsibility by employing over 12,000 workers who live up to the agency's Mission, Vision, & Values in service to the citizens of Texas. DFPS is not only a qualifying organization for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program but also offers excellent health benefits, special discounts on many products and services through the Discount Purchase Program, longevity pay, generous paid leave, access to the Wellness program, lifetime retirement annuity, Texa$aver 401(k) and 457 Programs under the Employees Retirement System of Texas.

Functional Title: Administrative Hearings Attorney IV - Senior Level 
Job Title: Attorney IV 
Agency: Dept of Family & Protectve Svc 
Department: General Counsel - CCI 
Posting Number: 6793 
Closing Date: 01/05/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Legal 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-28 
Salary Range: $7,716.66 - $13,051.00 
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift: Days (First) 
Telework: Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 25% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: SAN ANTONIO 
Job Location Address: 3635 SE MILITARY DR 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 27A, 27B, 250, 2505, LN, 4421, 2535, 2591, 51JX, 92J0, 2510, 2529, 2560, 4405, 4406, 4407, 4408 
4409, 4410, 4417, 47E 
 
 

The Administrative Hearings Attorney IV - Senior Level position is a fulltime telework position.

Brief Job Description:

This position represents the Department of Family and Protective Services before the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH). Cases consist of due process hearings for findings of abuse and neglect of children. Work involves handling all aspects of legal representation in administrative hearings and taking appropriate measures to ensure the timely and appropriate resolution of those cases.

This position performs highly complex (senior-level) legal work. Work involves overseeing and planning legal activities, preparing legal documents, participating in hearings, interpreting laws and regulations, and rendering legal advice and counsel. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

The position also may perform advanced (senior-level) legal work with respect to other agency activities including but not limited to litigation, appellate court, open records, employment, policy and procurement, grants, contracting, and enforcement of contracts to ensure agency compliance with state and federal laws and regulations. Work involves organizing and planning legal activities, coordinating the preparation of legal documents, coordinating and providing advice regarding various hearings, interpreting laws and regulations, and rendering legal advice and counsel. Participates in assigned projects, including but not limited to the development of policies, rules, standard procedures and forms, review and implementation of legislative changes and similar projects. 

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned including one or more of the following duties:

Organizes and coordinates legal and administrative activities.

Responds to open records requests, consults in drafting of rules, and monitors changes in state and federal agency rules. 

Coordinates and advises on the preparation of legal opinions, briefs, contracts, proposals, and reports.

Advises agency leadership on federal and state laws and regulations. Consults with management concerning legal ramifications of possible changes in overall practices and procedures.

Coordinates and advises staff and the public on legal matters and on the interpretation and application of agency regulations and state and federal laws.

Coordinates, formulates, and establishes policies and procedures.

Reviews and advises in the development of agency policies and procedures.

Provides legal advice regarding enforcement policy. Provides legal assistance on adverse actions.

Coordinates and advises on administrative, regulatory, evidentiary, and enforcement hearings.

Drafts substantive legal documents, including opinions, briefs, and memoranda that include analyses of agency authority under state and federal law.

Coordinates materials for potential litigation matters in coordination with the Office of the Attorney General, as necessary.

Represents agency in Administrative Hearings as well as other matters as requested by agency management.

Serves as liaison between agency and agency’s legal counsel in administrative or contested case hearings.

Represents agency in state district, county and child protection courts.

Supports agency compliance with statutory provisions.

Analyzes agency compliance with state agency reporting requirements, records management requirements, open government requirements, or other statutory requirements.

Prepares agency training materials and presents to internal and external stakeholders.

Reviews drafts of laws, rules, and regulations affecting agency operations, and bills or amendments for legislative consideration.

Drafts and reviews legal instruments and regulations in accordance with agency’s legal authority and with state and federal laws and regulations relating to contracts and contract management.

Drafts and analyzes state and federal legislation.

May supervise the work of DFPS attorneys within office of General Counsel.

Performs related work as assigned.

Total Time Spent:  100%

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of fundamentals of contract law, government 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 DFPS programs.

Knowledge of Texas procurement and contracting laws.

Skill in efficient legal research including use of Westlaw and other internet legal research.

Skill in interpreting statutes and reviewing, understanding, and explaining the meaning and impact of pending legislation.

Skilled in conducting research, to summarize findings, and to use legal reference materials.

Skilled in foreseeing legal implications of contract terms and procurement and contract actions and advice accordingly.

Skilled in exceptional oral and written communication skills to a wide range of audiences.

Skilled in identifying relevant legal issues.

Skill in organizing and expressing complex legal problems clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.

Skilled in preparing opinions, contracts, rules, and policies and procedures.

Skill in preparing high-quality, complex procurement and contractual documents.

Skill in identifying problems, evaluating alternatives, and implementing solutions.

Skill in demonstrating sound judgment and reasonable tolerance of ambiguity in the performance of job duties.

Skill in working collaboratively and cooperatively with clients, other government officers and employees, and stakeholder groups.

Skilled in operating a personal computer and other basic office equipment.

Skilled in articulating legal concepts to management and other stakeholders.

Skilled in providing legal representation in administrative or contested case hearings.

Skilled in courtroom advocacy

Ability to manage multiple priorities.

Ability to utilize legal experience and training to assist in developing policies and training to safeguard federal funds flowing to agency, minimize liability and avoid risk to clients.

Ability to analyze moderately complex to advanced factual and legal issues related to a wide variety of federal and state laws.

Ability to organize and manage in a timely fashion multiple tasks of varying priorities and to make efficient use of time and resources.

Ability to think creatively and apply clear, logical problem-solving techniques.

Ability to maintain professional and collegial relations with all levels of management and staff at the DFPS, as well as with other agencies’ management and staff and the public.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Must hold a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school. Licensed to practice law in the State of Texas. Member in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.  

Initial Screening Criteria:

Applicant must hold a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school, be licensed to practice law in the State of Texas and is a member in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.  

Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions. You may also contact the DFPS Military Liaison at dfpsmilvets@dfps.texas.gov with additional questions.

Applicants selected for hire must pass a background check and if applicable a driver’s record check.

As a state agency, DFPS is required by Texas Administrative Code (TAC 206 and 213) to ensure all Electronic Information Resources (EIR) follow accessibility standards. The staff must be familiar with the WCAG 2.1 AA and Section 508 to create accessible content including but not limited to; Microsoft Office documents, Adobe PDFs, webpages, software, training guides, video, and audio files. 

DFPS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Employees must provide documentation to DFPS to show their identity and authorization to work in the US. Please review the following link for authorized documents: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents .

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS/DFPS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS/DFPS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.