What are the responsibilities and job description for the DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE - PARA-LEGAL position at County of El Paso, TX?
Minimum Qualifications
Paralegal Associate Degree or an Associate's Degree in a related field with three (3) years' experience working for a law office;
Or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Preferred: Paralegal Certificate from a professionally recognized Paralegal/Legal Assistant program.
In order to access the County’s network and systems, a personal mobile smart device is required by the hire start date.
Typical Duties
Essential Duties
Conducts research for criminal and civil charges, pleadings and other information in preparation for trial; drafts motions, orders, warrants and special orders for review and approval by attorneys or judges;
Responds to questions either by phone, in-person, or email on procedural issues; reviews, provides guidance in the completion of various applications or documents and processes;
Reviews for accuracy and redacts court orders; prepares trial notebooks; copies and files records; notifies attorneys of filings; contacts witnesses;
Consults with attorney staff regarding detainers and interstate extradition requests; calculates statutorily or court-imposed deadlines; ensures all deadlines are met;
Conducts briefings with attorney staff on issues raised in pending cases, including writ of habeas corpus, cases as well as the progress of the cases;
Maintains and organizes files and exhibits in preparation jury trials, non-jury trials, and administrative hearings; maintains various databases; maintains statistics regarding caseloads;
Attends depositions, mediations, pre-trials, jury trials; non-jury trials; bench termination trials and contested hearings;
Interviews clients, families, and/or witnesses; may perform investigations on claims; performs discovery of relevant documentation associated with open cases;
Prepares trial docket; prepares various motions, briefs, and orders for the court files; prepares various forms during court hearings;
Works with all aspects of E-filings may serve as office E-filing administrator;
Prepares financial calculations, pleadings and preparations as necessary for court appearances;
Maintains case materials; including case document logs, ensures all evidence for cases is accounted for;
Serves as a liaison with various other County facilities and departments;
Assists the public with inquiries and handles difficult customers and non-routine problems;
Substitutes, if assigned, for coworkers during temporary absences by performing delegated duties sufficient to maintain continuity of normal operations;
Attends and participates in meetings, training and information sessions;
Stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field(s) of practice;
Commits self to providing excellent customer service and demonstrate commitment through cooperative team and individual efforts; and
Creates a high quality work culture through participation in and emphasis on training and mentoring to develop leadership, management, and technical skills in self and all employees, including safety related training and skills.
Other Important Duties
Performs such other related duties as may be assigned.
As members of the County of El Paso
Emergency Response System, all El Paso County employees are designated as Disaster Service Workers during a proclaimed emergency and may be required to train on emergency response and/or perform certain emergency services at the direction of their supervisor.
Depending on area assigned
Screens cases for enhancement
Job Summary
The Para-legal under general direction provides support to assigned attorneys in necessary trial preparation and other legal matters or proceedings.
Additional Information
Organizational Relationships
Reports to: Supervisor or Attorney
Directs: Non-supervisory position; however, may oversee the work and provide guidance to staff.
Other: Has frequent contact with representatives of attorney’s, court personnel, law enforcement, other government agencies, and other county employees.
Minimum Requirements: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of: Texas Family Code & Texas Rules of Civil Procedure; Texas Code of Criminal Procedure & Texas Penal Code; Texas Rules of Evidence; United States Constitution; Texas Constitution; E-filing for Texas; the court system; legal terminology; relevant laws, rules and codes; principles and practices of interviewing and conducting effective interviews and investigations; the principles and practices of effective customer service; principles and practices of training and employee development; English usage; grammar, punctuation and spelling; bi-lingual English/Spanish preferred; techniques for effective interpersonal communications; modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment to include Windows and Microsoft based products.
Skill/Ability to: maintain current, accurate confidential records and reports; explain court processes and actions; keep composure in order to assist high conflict customers; be able to plan and execute work both independently and as a team member; calculate fees; display an ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks; display a high degree of self-motivation; self-accountability; time management; make sound decisions in an expeditious manner; operate personal computer using standard office operating software and general office equipment; prepare and maintain records; maintain filing systems; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; be dependable; schedule, and train; to deal with the public courteously and effectively; work under stressful conditions, and establish and maintain cooperative and effective relationships with those contacted during the course of work; type 60 wpm; Pass a Criminal Background Check;
Each and every county position requires the following professional skills and abilities as key and
necessary elements of performance:
- Demonstrate regular and reliable attendance;
- Work well with others and participate fully in a team oriented environment;
- Interface with other employees and customers in a courteous and respectful manner;
- Maintain strict confidentiality;
- Project positive support of their department and all county organizations at all times; and,
- Maintain and enhance the County's commitment to customer service excellence
HOLIDAYS
16 holidays per year as recognized.
VACATION
Accruals are credited on a biweekly basis and available for use as it is accrued after 6 months of continuous service. Year to year carry-over accruals are limited to twice the employee's annual rate. Part-time employees accrue vacation at half the rate of full-time employees.
10 days (1 through less than 5 years of service)
15 days (5 through less than 15 years of service)
20 days (15 years of service or over)
SICK LEAVE
Accruals are credited on a biweekly basis and available for use as it is accrued after 3 months of full time service. Employees accrue 15 days of sick leave per year.
MISCELLANEOUS PAID LEAVES
Military Leave – 15 days of paid leave per fiscal year for active military service
Bereavement Leave – 3 days of paid leave for the death of an immediate family members and 4 hours for other family members and friends.
MEDICAL HEALTH BENEFITS
Plan Costs – Biweekly Rates
Effective January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026
Medical
Consumer Driven Health Plan (CDHP)
No Discounts
EE Only $5.34
EE & Spouse $145.30
EE & Children $101.93
EE & Family $200.09
6% Wellness Discount
EE Only - $5.02
EE & Spouse - $136.58
EE & Children - $95.81
EE & Family - $188.09
Core Plan
No Discounts
EE Only - $35.70
EE & Spouse - $226.41
EE & Children - $174.96
EE & Family - $322.25
6% Wellness Discount
EE Only - $33.56
EE & Spouse - $212.83
EE & Children - $164.46
EE & Family - $302.92
RETIREMENT
Retirement benefits are provided by the Texas County and District Retirement Fund (TCDRS). Regular employees become a member of TCDRS upon hire. All regular employees are required to contribute 7% to the retirement fund and the County matches 250% upon eligible retirements.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION
Employees may defer earnings, on a pre-tax basis, into a 457 deferred compensation program. This is an optional program.
LIFE INSURANCE
Full-time County employees are provided a basic life insurance benefit of $10,000 life insurance at no cost. Supplemental coverage is available for additional fees.
LONG-TERM DISABILITY
The Long-Term disability program provides 60% of the employees' income when the employee becomes disabled because of an illness, injury or accident for a period above 90 days.
SHORT-TERM DISABILITY
The Short-Term disability program provides 60% of the employees' income when the employee becomes disabled because of an illness, injury or accident for a period shorter than 90 days.
RETIREE HEALTH INSURANCE
Employees who retire from the County are eligible to continue Health Insurance at the rate set by the El Paso County Risk Pool Board.
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Employees are enrolled in an Employee Assistance Program that provides a variety of counseling services.
SECTION 125 MEDICAL & DEPENDENT CARE PROGRAM
The section 125 program is optional for employees and provides a method to pay medical and dependent care expenses on a pre-tax basis.
HEALTHY LIFESTYLE REIMBURSEMENT
Reimbursement of $15 per month for 6 months of continuous gym usage.
EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EdAP)
Reimbursement up to $2000 per calendar year for eligible education expenses.
EMPLOYEE FITNESS AND WELLNESS CENTER
The Employee Fitness and Wellness Center opened in October 2021 at the County Courthouse. The cost is $5 per employee per month.
Salary : $2,000