Legal Assistant II

WHY WORK FOR DFPS?

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 accomplishes this responsibility by employing over 12,000 workers who live up to the agency's Mission, Vision, & Values in service to the citizens of Texas. DFPS is not only a qualifying organization for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program but also offers excellent health benefits, special discounts on many products and services through the Discount Purchase Program, longevity pay, generous paid leave, access to the Wellness program, lifetime retirement annuity, Texa$aver 401(k) and 457 Programs under the Employees Retirement System of Texas.

Brief Job Description:

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. 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.

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 and 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.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Graduation from high school or equivalent. Two years of full time paralegal, legal assistant, legal secretarial or Departmental experience. Ninety hours from an accredited college or university may be substituted for the required experience.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Education beyond high school, prior legal assistant and or legal secretary experience.

Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions. You may also contact the DFPS Military Liaison at dfpsmilvets@dfps.texas.gov with additional questions.

Applicants selected for hire must pass a background check and if applicable a driver’s record check.

As a state agency, DFPS is required by 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. 

DFPS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Employees must provide documentation to DFPS to show their identity and authorization to work in the US. Please review the following link for authorized documents: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents .

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS/DFPS 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/DFPS 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.