Program Attorney

WORKING AT TMCEC:
Each person who works at TMCEC plays an important, different role. Together we create unique and exceptional learning opportunities for judges and court personnel throughout Texas. We are looking for ideal team players who are prepared to make a difference and want to be part of a nationally recognized, one-of-a-kind organization that values collaboration, sustainability, and efficiency. Working together and with others, TMCEC is a tightknit organization of individuals who share a personal commitment to public service and providing education to the largest segment of the Texas judicial system.

POSITION SUMMARY:
The Program Attorney is a judicial branch educator who plays an important part in conveying legal information and in creating and delivering dynamic and effective education programs for judges and court personnel.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Collaborating in the development, management, and implementation of assigned in-person and online educational programs for judges, prosecutors, and court support personnel;
• Making presentations, serving as a panelist, and moderating at TMCEC programs;
• Analyzing data to evaluate, plan, and improve programming and content;
• Conducting needs assessments to ensure curriculum designs serve specific target populations;
• Facilitating curriculum development and implementation of curriculum;
• Identifying and proposing potential topics for presentations;
• Developing and organizing agendas and instructional content;
• Recruiting, preparing, developing, and managing faculty;
• Assisting faculty with development of course materials, presentations, and instruction;
• Drafting correspondence and other materials for assigned programs, including seminar and course descriptions, learning objectives, speaker biographies, and applications for Continuing Legal Education (CLE) and Board of Legal Specialization (BLS);
• Attending and monitoring seminars;
• Answering legal questions from judges, prosecutors, and court support personnel and providing technical support;
• Monitoring legislative actions, court decisions, judicial disciplinary actions, attorney general opinions, and other periodicals to evaluate the educational needs of municipal judges;
• Researching and writing on legal topics;
• Drafting and updating publications for use by judges and court personnel;
• Editing of TMCEC print and online materials;
• Writing and producing instructional media;
• Representing TMCEC at conferences, planning meetings, task forces, forums, affiliate organizations, and associations; and
• Performing other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS:
• Strong attention to detail and organizational and problem-solving skills;
• Proven work ethic;
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines with limited supervision;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse individuals (e.g., judges, court personnel, co-workers);
• Ability to use a computer in a networked system for email, correspondence, and reports;
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), information technology, and office equipment;
• In-state travel required; and
• Licensed Attorney in the State of Texas.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Experience in teaching, instructional technology, adult education, technical writing, event planning, project management;
• A fundamental understanding of procedural and substantive criminal law and the operations of Texas criminal courts; and
• Experience as a staff attorney, criminal law practitioner, government lawyer, and/or a work history reflecting a commitment to public service.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
This position is based in Austin, Texas. It is a full-time position at 40 hours a week. Employment requires passing a comprehensive background check, a valid driver’s license, car insurance (or other proof of financial responsibility), and a reliable mode of transportation.
Salary is commensurate with experience. Benefits include employer paid health insurance, employer contribution to a 403(b) plan, and a generous paid leave package (including annual and sick leave). This position is eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. The PSLF program is a federal program that is intended to encourage individuals to work in public service by forgiving the balance of their
federal student loans. To qualify, the individual must have made 120 qualifying payments while employed by a qualifying employer.

ABOUT TMCEC:

The Texas Municipal Courts Education Center (TMCEC) was formed in 1984 by the Texas Municipal Courts Association (TMCA) to provide extensive, professional continuing education and training programs for municipal judges and court personnel. TMCEC is primarily financed by a grant from the Court of Criminal Appeals out of funds appropriated by the Legislature to the Judicial and Court Personnel Training Fund. In 2006, TMCEC was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation exclusively for charitable, literary, and educational purposes of providing: (1) judicial education, technical assistance, and the necessary resource material to assist municipal judges, court support personnel, and city attorneys in obtaining and maintaining professional competence in the fair and impartial administration of criminal justice; and (2) information to the public about the Texas judicial system and laws relating to public safety and quality of life in Texas communities. Sponsoring more than 50 events and providing professional and law-related education to more than 5,000 people annually, TMCEC is one of the largest organizations of its kind in the United States of America. TMCEC offers mandatory and continuing education for municipal judges and municipal court personnel, including prosecutors, and conducts training in various locations throughout the state and online. TMCEC has an outstanding cadre of faculty members that consists of judges, attorneys, and other professionals from throughout the nation. TMCEC takes pride in the quality and content of its conferences, publications, resources, and general work product. The organization has earned the praise of judges, attorneys, policy makers, and court professionals both nationally and throughout the Lone Star State.