Comptroller – Tax Hearings Summer Intern (Law Clerk)
Job description
TEMPORARY POSITION
Summer Internship Position will begin June 1, 2025 and end August 8, 2025 (40 hours per week).
PLEASE NOTE:
Interns are responsible for their own housing and transportation. We do not offer housing support however, if you live outside of Austin area and need assistance with housing referrals or housing search support, contact us at 512-475-5310.
**Candidates are highly encouraged to officially apply through the company’s application system at:
https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=00047597
Are you ready to grow, make a positive impact? If you are seeking to gain knowledge, build your career, and network among goal-oriented professionals, this is the place for you!
Innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to excellence best describes the culture here at the Comptroller’s Office. We take pride in the work we do serving as Texas’ accountant, tax collector, treasurer, and much more! The Comptroller’s office serves virtually every citizen in the state. As Texas’ chief tax collector, accountant, revenue estimator, treasurer and purchasing manager, the agency is responsible for writing the checks and keeping the books for the multi-billion-dollar business of state government.
Our agency workforce is as diverse as the people of Texas we serve. We value our employees and take very seriously our collective commitment to public service. Personal development opportunities are strongly encouraged through available workshops, teambuilding exercises, and on the job training. We offer flexible scheduling that helps employees maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Click here to see an inside look at the Texas Comptroller’s office!
General description
Join the Office of Special Counsel for Tax Hearings team! We support the Deputy Comptroller in her responsibility as the final decision-maker in the contested case process, which allows taxpayers to challenge assessments of the 60 different taxes and fees the Comptroller is charged with collecting and administering, or challenge the Comptroller’s denial of tax refund claims. The Deputy Comptroller is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the agency and answers directly to the Comptroller. Apply today and help the Comptroller’s office keep the Texas economy strong.
Work Hours
Office hours are 8 hours a day, and may range between 7am to 6pm, 40 hours a week, Monday through Friday. May occasionally work evenings, weekends, or holidays. Hours may change based on business needs. Teleworking may be considered if certain conditions are met. Applicant will be required to work in the office up to 3 days per week (days may vary). The applicant may need to report to the office with little notice, as business necessitates. Travel reimbursements are not provided for teleworking.
Minimum Qualifications
- Graduation from an accredited college or university and currently enrolled in an accredited law school seeking an LLB or JD degree.
- Working in the legal field.
- Performing legal research using online legal research systems.
- Using a personal computer and Microsoft Word software.
- Cite-checking state statutes, administrative rules, and/or other legal authorities
Preferred Qualifications
- A minimum of one year of law school completed.
- Experience working with the Texas Administrative Procedure Act.
- Experience working at or with the State Office of Administrative Hearings.
- Experience working with contested cases or administrative proceedings.
- Experience with state and local taxation.
- Experience using the Lexis legal research database.
- Experience using the State Tax Automated Research System.
SUMMARY OF PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
This position requires the incumbent to primarily perform sedentary office work; however, mobility (standing and walking) is routinely required to carry out some duties. It requires extensive computer, telephone, and client/customer contact. The job also requires normal cognitive abilities requiring the ability to learn, recall, and apply certain practices and policies. It requires the stamina to maintain attention to detail despite interruptions. Marginal or corrected visual and auditory requirements are required for reading printed materials and computer screens and communicating with internal and external customers. Also, this position requires the incumbent must be able to ride elevator; must be able to carry laptop home for on-call duties, must be able to sit for hours at one time, must be able to work on a pc keying program changes as a repetitive function.
Employees are required to use their personal mobile phones as a part of 2 factor/multi factor authentication for accessing CPA systems securely. You will also receive critical/emergency calls/texts on your cell phone to ensure immediate communication.
In this role you will:
- Review documents filed in connection with contested tax cases, including motions to dismiss, proposed Comptroller’s Decisions, exceptions to proposed Comptroller’s Decisions, and motions for rehearing.
- Research and analyze legal sources, such as statutes, rules, case law, and administrative records in relation to Proposals for Decision and related documents. Check citations, quotations, and footnotes for accuracy.
- Perform legal research and prepare memoranda or reports summarizing and analyzing statutes, administrative rules, case law, and administrative agency decisions.
- Assist with special research projects, such as identifying administrative agency decisions to be superseded.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Have Knowledge of:
- Legal principles, practices, and proceedings
- Local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and rules
Skill in:
- Conducting legal research, writing, and preparing analyses.
- Using legal reference materials.
- Using a personal computer in a windows environment with Microsoft software.
- Learning new concepts and applying knowledge appropriately.
- Effectively conveying information and encouraging an exchange of ideas.
- Identifying, defining and solving problems.
Ability to:
- Conduct research, summarize findings, and interpret and apply laws.
- Analyze, evaluate, and objectively and accurately represent and summarize legal issues and findings.
- Maintain confidentiality and protect the privacy of state employees, taxpayers, and other members of the public.
- Follow all agency confidentiality, privacy, and information security policies and procedures.
- Appropriately store, secure, and protect sensitive records and other confidential documents and data in accordance with the agency’s certified records retention schedule.
- Seek guidance and clarification from relevant agency specialists when potential confidential issues arise.
- Use discretion and appropriate judgement in communicating confidential and sensitive information.
- Work with others to achieve a common goal.
- Adjust to changing workplace demands.
- Meet the needs and expectations of internal and external customers.
- Effectively demonstrate skill and ability to perform the specific job duties and tasks as defined by a job description.
- Be dependable, meet deadlines, and produce high-quality work.
The Comptroller’s Office is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity.
An applicant must be eligible to work in the United States to be hired at the Comptroller’s office and must remain eligible, without sponsorship or any assurance of financial or other assistance from this agency, during the term of their employment.
Please note that this job posting can be closed without notice and earlier than the closing date indicated in the posting if a suitable candidate is found. We encourage applicants to submit and complete the application promptly.