ERS - Assistant General Counsel

Assistant General Counsel

ERS is seeking an Assistant General Counsel to perform highly advanced (senior-level) legal work. Provides legal expertise on tax matters, employee benefit programs, and investments in private funds. Work includes advising on regulatory compliance and policy development, analyzing legislation, and negotiating complex legal documents. Work is performed under the minimal supervision of the General Counsel with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Essential responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Advises agency staff and trustees regarding tax matters that pertain to the retirement and other benefit programs administered by the agency, including state retirement plans, health insurance and other group benefits plans, and the Texa$aver 401(k)/457 program. Drafts related rules and rule amendments.
• Drafts, negotiates, interprets, and reviews legal documents related to private-fund investments, including Alternative Investment Vehicles; term extensions; waiver requests; amendments to limited partnership agreements, investment management agreements, side letters, and other similar documents; consents; redemptions; elections; notifications; lender letters; know-your-client documents; terminations; and other documents related to investments in private funds.
• Reviews domestic relations orders and similar documents and prepares related correspondence.
• Conducts research and provides advice regarding general legal questions presented to the Office of the General Counsel on a variety of topics.
• Reviews and analyzes pending legislation and drafts bills for legislative consideration.
• Assists with other investment-related legal matters.
• Assists in developing, writing, and implementing policies and procedures.
• Attends work regularly in accordance with agency leave and attendance policies.
• Complies with all applicable agency policies and procedures, including policies and procedures related to safety and standards of conduct.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required minimum qualifications:

• Graduation from an accredited law school with a juris doctorate degree, a license to practice law, and an active membership with the State Bar of Texas that is in good standing.
• Ten (10) years of experience in the practice of law, including experience in tax law related to pensions and other employee benefits, and experience researching complicated legal issues and drafting memoranda and opinions analyzing and explaining them.
• C.P.A. or L.L.M. in tax.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience with tax matters related to governmental retirement plans, insurance and other group benefits plans, and deferred compensation plans.
• Experience drafting, negotiating, and reviewing documents related to institutional investing in private equity, real estate, and hedge fund investments.

Other information:

• In accordance with state law, authorization for telework may not be awarded to an employee as a condition of hiring. As an agency process, new employees complete a 30 day fully onsite period before evaluation for a telework agreement.
• This position may require access to privileged, confidential, or sensitive data. ERS will conduct either a TXDPS or FBI criminal history check on all new hires.
• Please note: Internal applicants in the same salary group and classification as the posted position are eligible to receive an increase in salary where applicable up to the posted maximum. ERS does not sponsor or assume sponsorship of an employment visa.

Military Occupational Specialty Codes: Veterans, Reservists or Guardsmen with experience in the Military Occupational Specialty along with the minimum qualifications listed above may meet the minimum requirements and are highly encouraged to apply. Please contact Human Resources at employment@ers.texas.gov with questions or for additional information.

How to apply:

• Submit a State of Texas Application for Employment submitted online through CAPPS Recruit.
• Use the link below to create a CAPPS Recruit account and build your profile on the "My JobPage" tab in the upper left corner of the screen.
• Once your profile is complete, click on the "Job Search" tab in the upper left corner of the screen to view available career opportunities and submit your application.
• If you apply for an ERS position via Work in Texas, you will also need to complete a supplemental questions form. For more details, refer to the instructions in the email you receive from CAPPS Recruit.
• Please contact a Human Resources representative if you need assistance or require accommodation during the application process.