Legal Assistant II

Job Description:
The position performs complex legal assistant work, including researching, analyzing, investigating, and drafting legal documents under the supervision of Department attorneys and county and district attorneys representing the Department.

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) is responsible for protecting the unprotected: children, elderly, and people with disabilities, from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

DFPS is a qualifying organization for the Service Loan Forgiveness Program. DFPS also offers excellent health benefits, special discounts on many products and services through the Discount Purchase Program, a lifetime monthly retirement annuity as well as Texasaver 401(k) and 457 Programs under the Employees Retirement System of Texas. As an additional benefit you will receive 12 days of paid annual leave, 12 sick days, and the potential to earn up to four days of administrative leave each year. Your annual paid leave accrual increases as your tenure increases.

This position shall be responsible for facilitating and expediting Child Protective Service abuse and neglect cases within the parameters of policy guidelines of the Texas Family Code and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

Essential Job Functions:
Performs legal work related to the prosecution of child and elder abuse cases. Prepares, develops, reviews and edits petitions, motions, orders service, subpoenas, inquiries, discovery, and files documents with the district clerk's office as needed. Handles and prepares correspondence and memoranda. Schedules, attends and prepares cases and witnesses for hearings, trials, staffings, interviews, depositions and docket calls. Coordinates, develops and updated responses to discovery requests. Verifies service of process. Assists in negotiating court orders. Informs Departmental personnel of case status, decisions, and scheduling. Routinely interacts with Department attorneys, district and county attorneys, judges, ad litems, caseworkers and Departmental administrators and performs other work as assigned.

Knowledge Skills Abilities:
Knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and related computer software. Knowledge of spelling, punctuation, and grammar, and the ability to adapt to the use of other materials as necessary.

Registration or Licensure Requirements:
None required but Notary Public is preferred.

Initial Selection Criteria:
Education beyond high school or prior legal assistant and/or legal secretary experience.

Additional Information:
Physical requirements for the position include the ability to drive a vehicle, to lift and carry objects, operate a computer, including operating word-processing, data management and other computer software, to be capable of verbal and written communication, and to operate machinery and equipment, such as copiers, faxes, and other office equipment.

MOS Code:
Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include: 27D, LN, 4400, and 5J0X1. For more information see the Texas State Auditor's Military Crosswalk at http://www.hr.sao.state.tx.us/Compensation/JobDescriptions.aspx

As a state agency, DFPS is required Texas Administrative Code (TAC 206 and 213) to ensure all Electronic Information Resources (EIR) follow accessibility standards. The staff must be familiar with the WCAG 2.1 AA and Section 508 to create accessible content including but not limited to; Microsoft Office documents, Adobe PDFs, webpages, software, training guides, video, and audio files.

HHS agencies use E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.

I-9 Form - Click here to download the I-9 form.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.