The Texas Department of Public Safety is looking for a well-rounded, experienced Legal Assistant who can provide complex legal support to the litigation team in the Department’s Office of General Counsel. The duties of this position include working closely with internal legal staff and the Office of the Attorney General, engaging with staff at all levels of the Department, including commissioned officers and executive management, and interacting with external law offices, state and federal prosecutors, other state agencies, and record retrieval companies. Work may involve responding to complex discovery, subpoenas, and prosecutor requests, and assisting department attorneys in monitoring an extensive docket. The ideal candidate will have experience in litigation involving state agencies, effective interpersonal skills, be able to create a network of contacts within the Department, the ability to prioritize and manage time to organize and complete multiple projects simultaneously and meet short deadlines.

The department offers a close, collegial work environment with career advancement opportunities. Other benefits of the position include:

• Flexible work schedules
• Work-life balance
• Hybrid telecommuting options
• Comprehensive medical insurance with premiums paid at 100% for fulltime employees and the state pays 50% of the premium for dependents.
• Generous paid leave and holidays
• Qualifying employment for purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Retirement pension
• Comprehensive wellness program

PLEASE NOTE: All applications must contain complete job histories, which includes job title, dates of employment, name of employer, supervisor's name and phone number and a description of duties performed. If this information is not submitted, your application may be rejected because it is incomplete. Resumes do not take the place of this required information.

SUBMITTED THROUGH WORK IN TEXAS: Work In Texas (WIT) applicants must complete the supplemental questions to be considered for the posting. In order to complete the supplemental questions please go to CAPPS Recruit to register or login and access your profile. Go to CAPPS Recruit to Sign In https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Legal Assistant III (3576/B20) - Perform highly advanced (senior-level) legal assistant work in a support role for the attorneys in the Office of General Counsel (OGC). Work under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment concerning priorities, methods, and legal procedures to accomplish assigned duties. Employees at this level may: Conduct statistical, documentary, and investigatory research.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Legal Assistant IV (3578/B22) - Perform highly complex (senior-level) legal assistant work in a support role for the attorneys in the Office of General Counsel (OGC). Work under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment concerning priorities, methods, and legal procedures to accomplish assigned duties. Employees at this level may: Prepare synopses, abstracts, or summaries of complex legal issues. Prepare attorneys for meeting with complainants, witness, and expert witnesses. Draft and record to correspondence and opinion requests involving legal interpretations and decisions.

The following Military Occupational Specialty codes are generally applicable to this position. Applicants must fully complete the summary of experience to determine if minimum qualifications are met.
https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_Legal.pdf

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
1. Conduct limited investigations into the facts surrounding lawsuits in response to discovery requests. Prepare affidavits regarding litigation and obtain necessary documents relevant to discovery requests.

2. Evaluate and establish the appropriate level of priority for case files, manage a system to track cases, and notify each attorney of pending deadlines and hearings.

3. Direct the preparation of monthly Commission reports and other reports as assigned.

4. Maintain internal docket concerning all litigation matters.

5. Act as liaison between the Department and members of the Office of the Attorney General.

6. Assist Department personnel in preparation for depositions, trial testimony, subpoenas or any other aspects of litigation in which they may become involved.

7. Assemble exhibits, affidavits and other legal documents for filings, responses, and other related litigation matters including for use of Attorney General in trial or for internal use at Peer Review Board and discharge hearings.

8. Assist attorneys in preparation of written responses to EEOC/TWCCRD complaints. Conduct limited investigations into the facts and circumstances surrounding discrimination complaints. Prepare affidavits from the relevant witnesses regarding their knowledge of the situation. Gather and assemble responsive documents.

9. Use independent judgment to review, analyze, process and respond to Public Information Act requests. Draft correspondence to communicate with the requestors, Department personnel, and the Attorney General’s Office.

10. Participate in conducting training classes on the Public Information Act for Department personnel; respond to requestors pertaining to the Department’s administrative process for Public Information Requests.

11. Direct the preparation of monthly reports regarding Public Information Requests.

12. Conduct extensive legal research on a broad range of legal issues. Prepare briefs and reports of legal research findings, prepare various legal and administrative documents; verify accuracy of legal citations and references.

13. Perform a variety of criminal law related tasks including: drafting and editing policies and procedures; reviewing documents for legal sufficiency; and legal research.

14. Respond to inquiries regarding legislation and statutes using independent judgment to respond to each request.

15. Perform the individual tasks necessary to prepare and coordinate the publication of Department law books that are within the responsibility of the Office of General Counsel.

16. Monitor and coordinate the drafting and submission of administrative rules to the Texas Register for publication.

17. Act as a liaison between the Department and members of the Secretary of State’s Office.

18. Review and draft responses to subpoenas.

19. Coordinate and monitor the retention of Legal Operation records.

20. May assign work to, monitor and oversee the work of support staff.

21. Coordinate the monitoring and tracking of Department legislation.

22. Attend work regularly and observe approved work hours in accordance with agency leave and attendance policies

23. Perform any other duties as assigned by the General Counsel.

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS and REQUIREMENTS: Legal Assistant III (3576/B20)
Education - Graduation from a High School or equivalent is required. Graduation from a program of paralegal studies or the equivalent college level course work or certificate is preferred.
Experience – Four (4) years’ of verifiable experience in legal assistant work.

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS and REQUIREMENTS: Legal Assistant IV (3578/B22)
Education - Graduation from a High School or equivalent is required. Graduation from a program of paralegal studies or the equivalent college level course work or certificate is preferred.
Experience – Six (6) years’ of verifiable experience in legal assistant work.

Substitution Note: Education of the type described may be substituted for the each year of experience required. Note: Thirty (30) semester hours is considered equivalent to one (1) year of education.

Advancement to higher levels of this position is contingent upon prior work experience, complexity of work performed, successful performance, level of experience gained, and recommendation of the General Counsel.

Licensure and/or Certification - Must possess a valid driver license from state of residence.

Regulatory knowledge – Working knowledge of, or the ability to rapidly assimilate information related to TXDPS, State, and Federal, regulations, legislation, guidelines, policies and procedures. Extensive knowledge of legal terminology, research methods and techniques, preparation and use of legal documents, administrative and court procedures, law office practices and procedures, and relevant laws. Considerable working knowledge in the areas of civil litigation, criminal law, EEOC/TWCCRD compliance, the Public Information Act, and the Open Meetings Act.

Interpersonal Skills – Must exercise excellent interpersonal skills - position continually requires demonstrated poise, tact, diplomacy, and an ability to establish and maintain effective working/professional relationships with external and internal customers.

Organizational and Prioritization Skills – Must be organized, flexible, and able to prioritize in a multi-demand environment and to perform work independently.

Communication Skills – Excellent verbal and written communication skills including proficiency in English composition, grammar, punctuation and spelling.

Research and Comprehension – Knowledge of legal terminology, research methods and techniques, preparation and use of legal documents, administrative and court procedures, law office practices and procedures, relevant laws, and details of the English language as it applies to legal documents.

Analytical Reasoning/Attention to Detail – Must be analytical, detail-oriented, and able to multi-task without sacrificing accuracy or timeliness. Ability to analyze problems, identify causative factors, and apply actions to effectively resolve current, and prevent recurrences of, problem conditions.

Technology (computers/hardware/software/operating systems) – Microsoft Office Suite, e.g. Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint. Working knowledge of modern business office practices, including desktop publishing. Ability to conduct Legal Research utilizing Westlaw/Lexis or similar computer-assisted research.

Confidentiality and Protected Information – Must be able to follow standardized and highly restrictive procedures, responsibly handle sensitive and confidential information and situations.

PHYSICAL and/or ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS:

The physical and environmental demands described here are representative of those encountered and/or necessary for the 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.

• Environment: Office;
• Ambulatory skills, e.g. stand, walk, sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch;
• Hand-eye coordination and arm/hand/finger dexterity;
• Ability to speak, hear, and exercise visual acuity;
• Ability to perform all duties at assigned work location on a regular and consistent basis;
• Ability to perform all assigned duties under stressful circumstances and under prescribed deadlines;
• Ability to transfer weights of twenty (20) pounds anticipated for this position;
• Driving requirements: Low frequency (3%).

State of Texas Benefits and Retirement Information: https://www.ers.texas.gov/

A DPS employee who is selected for a position in the same salary group and state title as their current position will be transferred with no salary change.

A DPS employee who is selected for a position in their current salary group with a new state title may receive an increase of no more than 3.4% over their current salary regardless of posted salary.

Salary is contingent upon qualifications and is subject to salary administration and budgetary restrictions.

DUE TO THE HIGH VOLUME OF APPLICATIONS WE DO NOT ACCEPT TELEPHONE CALLS. ONLY CANDIDATES SELECTED FOR INTERVIEW WILL BE CONTACTED.

State of Texas retirees may be rehired for full-time, non-commissioned positions only under very specific circumstances.