Program Specialist VII – Office of the General Counsel (018999-A)

Organization

: OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL

Primary Location

: United States-Texas-AUSTIN

Job

: Office and Administrative Support

Employee Status

: Regular

Schedule

: Full-time
Travel Moderate
Salary/Salary Range: $5,942.62 (Ret 2.5% Less)

Pay Basis

: Monthly
Hazardous duty/Longevity Pay: Longevity Pay
Training Academy: No
Work Site Visits: No
Study Material: No

Overtime Status

: Exempt

Job Posting

: Nov 12, 2025, 2:27:33 PM

Closing Date

: Nov 22, 2025, 5:59:00 AM

I. JOB SUMMARY

Performs highly advanced consultative services and technical assistance work. Work involves planning, developing, coordinating, and implementing an agency program; providing consultative services and technical assistance to program staff, governmental agencies, community organizations, and the public; and providing guidance to others. Works under minimal supervision with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

II. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

A. Develops, implements, and evaluates program goals, objectives, policies, and procedures for the Office of the General Counsel; provides high-level administrative, technical, and consultative support to the General Counsel, Deputy General Counsels, and managing Attorneys; and works on special and high-profile projects at the direction of the General Counsel or Deputy General Counsel, often involving sensitive legal, operational, or policy issues.

B. Supports attorneys in conducting investigations, gathering and analyzing information, preparing summaries, and coordinating with agency divisions or external entities; develops and maintains tracking systems, performance measures, and metrics for OGC program and operations; and coordinates the review and tracking of legal matters, litigation, legislation, and policy initiatives affecting agency operations.

C. Oversees or participates in the preparation of reports, legal summaries, policy drafts, and briefing materials for agency leadership and external stakeholders; and monitors and analyzes trends in litigation, public information, contract, and employment law to assists in proactive risk management.

D. Serves as a liaison between the Office of the General Counsel and other agency divisions, state agencies, legislative offices, and external partners; and coordinates responses to audits, legislative requests, and inquiries from the Office of the Inspector General, the State Auditor’s Office, or other external entities.

E. Organizes, assigns, and reviews the work of others; provides guidance to staff on programmatic and administrative procedures; and assists with training, auditing, and quality assurance processes.

* Performs a variety of marginal duties not listed, to be determined and assigned as needed.

III. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

A. Education, Experience, and Training

Bachelor’s degree or 120 credit hours from a college or university accredited by an organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or by the United States Department of Education (USDE). Major course work in Law, Public Administration, Business, or a related field preferred. Each year of experience as described below in excess of the required five years may be substituted for thirty semester hours from an accredited college or university on a year-for-year basis.
Five years full-time, wage-earning experience in program administration, policy analysis, legal compliance, or a related field.
Experience supporting or working with attorneys in a governmental or legal setting preferred.
Experience conducting investigations or fact-finding reviews preferred.
Experience in developing or delivering training programs preferred.
Experience in a governmental, legal, or regulatory environment preferred.
Experience in managing complex or statewide programs preferred.

B. Knowledge and Skills

Knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations relevant to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
Knowledge of principles and practices of public administration, legal compliance, and program management.
Knowledge of the techniques of research methodology.
Knowledge of legal terminology, administrative procedures, and governmental reporting requirements.
Knowledge of research methods and report preparation techniques.
Knowledge of agency and departmental organizational structure, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations preferred.
Skill to communicate ideas and instructions clearly and concisely.
Skill to coordinate with other staff, departments, officials, agencies, organizations, and the public.
Skill to interpret and apply rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
Skill in the use of computers and related equipment in a stand-alone or local area network environment.
Skill to develop and evaluate policies and procedures.
Skill to prepare and maintain accurate records, files, and reports.
Skill to plan work in order to meet established guidelines.
Skill in the use of Microsoft Office Suite or equivalent to include word processing, spreadsheet, database, or presentation software programs.
Skill to research, compose, review, illustrate, and edit technical documents, materials, and reports.
Skill to conduct research and analysis.
Skill to train; and organize, assign, and review the work of others.

IV. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS WITH OR WITHOUT REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

A. Ability to walk, stand, sit, kneel, push, stoop, reach above the shoulder, grasp, pull, bend repeatedly, climb stairs and ladders, identify colors, hear with aid, see, write, count, read, speak, analyze, alphabetize, lift and carry under 15 lbs., perceive depth, operate a motor vehicle, and operate motor equipment.

B. Conditions include working outside and inside, working around machines with moving parts and moving objects, working around moving objects or vehicles, radiant and electrical energy, working closely with others, working alone, working protracted or irregular hours, and traveling by car, van, bus, and airplane.

C. Equipment (machines, tools, devices) used in performing only the essential functions include computer and related equipment, calculator, copier, fax machine, telephone, dolly, and automobile.
Additional Information ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Please note that applications submitted via handwritten forms, email, mail, or fax will not be accepted. Your job application must be completely filled out and include all employment, do not limit employment to the past 10-15 years. Your application must contain complete job histories, which include job titles, name of employer, dates of employment, supervisor’s name and phone number, and a description of duties performed, and whether it was full-time or part-time and hours per week. If any of this information is not provided, your application may be rejected as incomplete

If you are scheduled for an interview and require any reasonable accommodation in our interview process, please inform the hiring representative who contacts you to schedule your interview. Whenever possible, please give the hiring representative sufficient time to consider and respond to your request.

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

*Outside applicants will be required to submit to pre-employment drug testing as a condition of employment.*

Questions regarding this posting may be directed to:

Shenesia Jenkins

Human Resources Headquarters

2 Financial Plaza, STE 600

Huntsville, TX 77340

PH (936) 437-3069

EMAIL HR.selectionsteam1@tdcj.texas.gov
Military Occupation Specialty Code The following Military Occupational Specialty codes are generally applicable to this position. Applicants must fully complete the summary of experience to determine if minimum qualifications are met.

Military Crosswalk Guide – Prepared by the State Auditor’s Office
EEO Statement The State of Texas is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability in employment or the provision of services. You may make copies of this application and enter different position titles, but each copy must be signed. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of applications, unless specifically stated in the job vacancy notice.

***There will only be one interview for both Austin and Huntsville conducted via ZOOM or TEAMS***

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