Case Preparation Officer
JOB OBJECTIVE: Perform routine/moderately complex/complex legal consultative services and technical work for the Texas Department of Agriculture’s (TDA) Legal Services Enforcement section. Work involves review, case preparation, management and disposition of routine administrative investigations and cases involving violations of state and federal agriculture laws and regulations by performing post investigation legal case analysis, case research, drafting of documents and other case support and preparation functions. Work under moderate/general supervision with limited/moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
Review, process and evaluate routine agency investigation and inspection documents for compliance with agency policies.
Review, process and evaluate routine agency investigation or inspection documents for possible violations of state or federal agricultural laws, identifying and resolving technical issues to be resolved by staff attorneys; make preliminary recommendations for legal enforcement action, including closure without action.
Compile, review and evaluate the inspection and enforcement histories of subjects of investigation or inspection.
Prepare case correspondence.
Monitor the progress of cases in which enforcement action is taken and assist with case disposition, including tracking and enforcement of settlement and order compliance.
Assist field and program personnel with ongoing investigations.
Compile, prepare, track and assist with the presentation of enforcement statistical information.
Provide testimony at administrative hearings regarding agency regulatory functions and enforcement policies.
Provide assistance with discovery requests, pleading preparation and other litigation-related activities.
Respond to telephone inquiries and reports of alleged violations, referring callers appropriately.
Adhere to established work schedule with regular attendance.
Follow all TDA safety guidelines/procedures and ethics requirements.
NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
Perform other duties as assigned.
In addition to the Essential/Non-Essential Duties listed above, the following duties are also applicable to the Program Specialist II (B18) and Program Specialist III (B19) position:
- Review, process and evaluate moderately complex/complex agency investigation and inspection documents for compliance with agency policies.
- Review, process and evaluate moderately complex/complex agency investigation or inspection documents for possible violations of state or federal agricultural laws, identifying and resolving technical issues to be resolved by staff attorneys; make preliminary recommendations for legal enforcement action, including closure without action.
- Prepare case correspondence, hearing exhibits and summaries of investigation or inspection documentation for presentation.
- Assist in the preparation and presentation of investigator/inspector training materials.
- Provide callers with appropriate collections information and negotiate settlement agreements with respondents.
QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS (The application must state how the following qualifications are met):
- Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university (one-year of work experience related to the essential duties may substitute for one year of college);
- Minimum one-year work experience preparing, reviewing, or evaluating inspection or investigative reports;
- Work experience preparing technical reports;
- Valid Texas driver’s license and an acceptable driving record*; and
- Required to travel up to 10% of the work period.
In addition to the Qualifications/Requirements listed above, the application must state how the following qualifications are met to be considered for the Program Specialist II (B18) position:
- Minimum two years work experience preparing, reviewing, or evaluating inspection or investigative reports.
In addition to the Qualifications/Requirements listed above, the application must state how the following qualifications are met to be considered for the Program Specialist III (B19) position:
- Minimum three years work experience preparing, reviewing, or evaluating inspection or investigative reports.
PREFER:
- Work experience preparing, reviewing or evaluating inspection or investigative reports and collecting physical or documentary evidence; and/or
- Work experience conducting inspections or investigations involving state or federal regulatory matters.