Staff Attorney- Community College Services

 Why Texas Association of School Boards (TASB)

TASB began as a one-person organization created in 1949 to advocate for excellence in public education on behalf of Texas school board members. Today, we have over 500 employees working to provide the state’s school districts and community college districts with purposeful resources so they can focus on what matters most — excellent and equitable education for all Texas students. 

We feel privileged to work alongside talented team members who are passionate about education and enjoy learning from new and different perspectives. We believe what makes our organization highly successful is the rich diversity our employees collectively bring to TASB with different backgrounds, skillsets, cultures and ethnicities, gender identities, interests, abilities, and work styles. Our culture encourages employees to grow both professionally and personally through a variety of innovative and collaborative development opportunities. 

TASB offers competitive pay and rich benefits, including retirement matching of 2:1 up to 5% after one year, an onsite daycare, an onsite gym, a wellness program, tuition reimbursement, hybrid work options, and flexible schedules. 

About You

As a Staff Attorney with TASB Community College Services you will be responsible for providing legal services to TASB’s community college membership, which includes all 50 Texas public community colleges. The attorney advises community college board members and administrators on legal matters; drafts and edits policies; writes and edits publications addressing community college legal issues; conducts legal training; and provides other legal services to TASB community college members.

Strong legal writing, editing, and speaking skills are essential for this position as is the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines with minimal supervision. This position is hybrid requiring the successful candidate to work at least three days a week at our North Austin headquarters, with some travel required. 

All applications must include a cover letter, resume, and writing sample.

Highly qualified candidates can earn between $100,000 - $131,000 per year 

A Typical Day 

• Develop and maintain a generalized knowledge of community college law, policy, and best practices. Regularly monitor state and federal case law and statutory and regulatory changes in community college law, including constitutional issues, personnel, student issues, governance, elections, financial matters, business, and other critical areas. 
• Exercise good judgment and a high-level of discretion in providing sound guidance to community colleges and colleagues in the analysis of legal and policy issues and when engaging in the development of educational materials and training. The tasks may require work outside of normal work hours to meet deadlines, particularly following a state legislative session or during a biannual policy update.
• Collaborate with the team and other TASB divisions on ways to expand services to the community colleges.

How You’ll Make an Impact

• Consult with and advise TASB community college members on legal issues, including answering legal inquiries by telephone, pursuant to procedure. Offer independent legal advice based on general knowledge of community college law.
• Develop legal reference policies and model local policies and procedures. Provide legal and practical review of community college members’ unique localized policies when appropriate.
• Serve as a legal resource to other TASB divisions on community college and other higher education matters. Assist, as requested, in the review of publications and other written communications. 
• Develop and provide legal and governance training, including presentation materials focused on the unique needs of community colleges. 
• Provide bill analysis during and after legislative sessions, including post-legislative update resources and training for community colleges. 
• Research and write legal resource materials for community colleges, including TASB College eLaw resources, TASB publications, and periodicals. Provide legal review and edit materials developed by other division staff, as requested.
• Develop and maintain media and materials to promote TASB services to community colleges.
• Participate in required professional development, maintain Texas law license in good standing, and comply with high ethical requirements as set out in the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct. 

Skills for Success

Education and Experience: 

• Graduation from accredited law school. 
• Texas law license in good standing.
• Experience in the practice of community college law or a related area of the law preferred. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Accurate legal analysis and writing. 
• Judicious, courteous, and confidential client counseling. 
• Sound independent judgment, and commitment to offering legal guidance in keeping with standards set by the division. 
• Ability to communicate complex information to diverse audiences by phone, in person, and in writing. 
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadline with minimal supervision and to collaborate with other staff on specific projects. 
• Working knowledge of standard computer software and technology, including the Microsoft Office Suite, and the ability to learn new computer applications. 

Posting Notices

• The health and safety of our employees and members is our top priority. 
• The Association is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against an individual based on any of the following personal characteristics protected by law: race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including in relation to marital status, pregnancy, pay, sexual orientation or gender identity), age, disability, genetics or veteran status.
• This position does not qualify for visa sponsorship. 
• Any job offer is contingent upon receipt of results of a satisfactory background check. 

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