Legal Assistant II

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.

Brief Job Description:

This position is a Legal Assistant in the Enforcement Department. The Enforcement Department is one of seven departments in the Legal Services Division of the HHS Office of Chief Counsel. The Enforcement Department provides legal support related to HHS sanctions against facilities, programs, and services, including reviewing and drafting notices, correspondence, and guidance documents; interpreting state and federal laws, regulations, and rules; rendering legal advice and counsel to HHS agency personnel; providing legal representation in contested case proceedings, and overseeing enforcement litigation in district courts.

This Legal Assistant position works in the Child Care Licensing (CCL) Team of the Enforcement Department in the Legal Services Division. The CCL Team provides legal consultations and representation in contested case hearings to the Regulatory Services Division, Child Care Licensing. This position reviews and assigns consultation requests, reviews and assigns hearing requests, updates databases, drafts correspondence, obtains program records supporting the enforcement action, assigns cases to department attorneys, dockets cases for hearing at the State Office of Administrative Hearings and supports attorney hearing preparation.

The Legal Assistant interacts routinely with HHSC staff throughout the state, other state agency staff, and the general public.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Maintains, organizes, and assigns new contested cases to attorneys. Assists attorneys in scheduling and prioritizing their caseloads. Maintains hearing dates for attorneys' calendar through Microsoft Outlook. Organizes case files and prepares chronologies, fact summaries, and witness files in preparation for court proceedings. Assists attorneys in preparation for administrative hearings, meetings, and interviews. Coordinates and contacts witnesses for appearance in all court proceedings. Files motions, exhibits, and orders with the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH). Coordinates, assembles, and/or prepares evidence, affidavits, and documents for use in legal proceedings. Under attorney supervision, drafts various legal documents, including pleadings, motions, subpoenas, and correspondence. Examines documents for accuracy and completeness. Conducts bate-stamping, redaction, duplication, and indexing of documents. Coordinates discovery, including drafting and calendaring of discovery in accordance with relevant rules and procedures. (50%)

Runs searches on internal and external document database systems. Retrieves information from database systems to assist in case documentation. Coordinates the service of subpoenas and notice of depositions by communicating with law enforcement agencies and court reporting agencies. Contacts office staff, court personnel, employees from other departments, and criminal justice agencies to obtain information needed for contested cases. Locates and makes arrangements with foreign language interpreters in preparation for court proceedings. (30%)

Communicates with clients, attorneys, governmental agencies, and law enforcement agencies concerning the status of cases. (10%)

Trains and supervises support staff, including reviewing prepared files and documents such as record requests, exhibits and motions. (10%)
 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of legal terminology, of research methods and techniques, of administrative and court procedures, of the legislative process, and of public notice requirements.

Skill in the use of office equipment.

Ability to conduct research; to draft, prepare, and interpret legal documents; to evaluate and relate findings to cases in question; and to train others.
 

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Certification as a paralegal preferred. Relevant work experience may be substituted for certification.  

Initial Screening Criteria:

A paralegal certificate/degree or a minimum three years of experience as a Legal Assistant.

Additional Information:

N/A  

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Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

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.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS 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.

Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:

Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form