The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) works to build on strengths of families and communities to keep children and vulnerable adults safe, so they thrive. We do this through investigations, services, and referrals.

Functional Title: Policy Attorney III Job Title: DFPS Policy Attorney III Agency: Dept of Family & Protectve Svc Department: Legal Policy Pgm Supp - APS Posting Number: 15824 Closing Date: 10/07/2026 Posting Audience: Internal and External Occupational Category: Legal Salary Range: $6,377.50- $10,785.83 Pay Frequency: MonthlySalary Group: TEXAS-B-26 Shift: Day Additional Shift: Telework: Not Eligible for Telework Travel: Up to 5% Regular/Temporary: Regular Full Time/Part Time: Full time FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt Facility Location:Job Location City: AUSTIN Job Location Address: 4900 N LAMAR BLVD Other Locations: MOS Codes: 4402,4405,4406,4407,4408,4409,4410,4411,4417,250X,27A,51JX,92J0,LGL10,LGL11

Job Description:

This is an attorney III position for the Policy and Program Support team in the General Counsel's Office. The attorney will act primarily in an advisory capacity, providing legal support to the Child Protective Services program as well as the other programs and divisions of the Department of Family and Protective Services. The attorney's duties will range from legally reviewing and assisting with drafting policies, agency administrative rules, and other documents for CPS and other programs and divisions in the agency; researching issues of concern and implication to DFPS and drafting formal and informal memos for DFPS programs and executive management staff; providing legal advice as needed to the DFPS programs based on sound legal research; drafting fair hearing orders for adoption assistance and permanency care assistance denials; drafting legal sufficiency reviews for investigation findings that are appealed; providing timely and expert resource assistance to DFPS government relations staff and the legal legislative coordinator by reviewing and analyzing legislation that impacts the agency, responding to questions from the legislature, drafting legislative initiatives and statutory revisions, and serving as a resource witness during legislative hearings when needed; and providing general support to DFPS programs in their activities to ensure compliance with applicable laws. The selected candidate should have a strong working knowledge of federal and state child welfare laws, administrative rules, federal funding streams for child welfare agencies, and the operation of a state agency.

Essential Job Functions:

Drafting and reviewing client-drafted, policies, procedures, rules and other documents (30%); Reviewing and drafting Memoranda of Understanding for the CPS program, and other agency programs as needed (10%); Providing consultation and advice concerning case specific questions and general issues of concern to CPS and other DFPS programs and divisions (20%); Performing legal research and drafting legal memoranda on issues with implications to the agency as a whole, such as questions related to funding, ethics, and sharing of information (20%); Handling informal administrative appeals, including issuing adoption assistance and permanency care assistance agreed orders as well as legal sufficiency reviews of investigation dispositions (5%); Legislative tasks (5%); Other duties as assigned (10%).

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Must be licensed to practice in Texas and in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.

Knowledge Skills Abilities:

(1) Strong research and writing skills; (2) Strong academic credentials; (3) Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as well as independently; (4) Polished analytical and advocacy skills; (5) Ability to complete assignments in a timely manner and work in a fast paced legal setting; (6) Willingness to assist colleagues and take on additional projects as needed, (7) Basic knowledge of public agency law and regulations or basic understanding of administrative law and public policy.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (JD) degree and in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.

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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 [email protected] with additional questions.

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

State of Texas employees are required to maintain the security and integrity of critical infrastructure as defined in Section 117.001(2), State of Texas Business and Commerce Code. Applicants selected for hire comply with this code by completing related training and abiding by agency cybersecurity and communications system usage policies.

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.