GENERAL DESCRIPTION

• Performs legal assistant work. Work involves researching, analyzing, investigating, and drafting legal documents and assisting attorneys with case management.
• OAG employees enjoy excellent benefits along with tremendous opportunities to do important work at a large, dynamic state agency making a positive difference in the lives of Texans.
• This position may be eligible for telework up to three days per week once trained. Employees must have a secure, dedicated workspace with Internet service, ability to maintain a reliable consistent work schedule, and be available for weekly meetings and group collaboration via Microsoft Teams and other applications during regular business hours.
• Flexible work arrangements, to include flexible work schedules and/or telework, may be considered relative to business need after training.

ESSENTIAL POSITION FUNCTIONS

• Legal Assistant I:
  • Schedules and prioritizes attorney caseloads; maintains hearing document; organizes case files; prepares fact summaries and assists attorney as needed for hearings, meetings and interviews.
  • Assists in the preparation and reviewing of reports on the performance of the appeals section in preparation of monthly and annual reports
  • Coordinates, assembles and prepares evidence, exhibits, affidavits and documents for as needed use in legal proceedings
  • Reviews and performs redacting of confidential documents for filing with various courts
  • Communicates with the public, including responding to telephone inquiries regarding appeals
  • Prepares draft final ruling decisions, legal correspondence and other legal documents
  • Performs related work as assigned
  • Maintains relevant knowledge necessary to perform essential job functions
  • Attends work regularly in compliance with agreed-upon work schedule
  • Ensures security and confidentiality of sensitive and/or protected information
  • Complies with all agency policies and procedures, including those pertaining to ethics and integrity
• Legal Assistant II – All of the above functions for a Legal Assistant I, Plus:
  • Conducts independent investigations of issues on appeals, including interviewing crime victims, law enforcement agency personnel, scheduling independent medical examinations and reviewing medical findings. Researches, analyzes and summarizes legal sources to reconsider applications on administrative appeal.
  • Summarizes laws, rules and regulations

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Legal Assistant I:
  • Education: Graduation from high school or equivalent
  • Experience: Three years of experience in the following (or closely related) fields: Law, legal assistant, legal secretary, or general office experience in a legal environment. Ninety credit hours (three years) from an accredited college or university may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.
  • Knowledge of general office practices and legal documents
  • Skill in effective oral and written communication (Writing sample required at time of application – writing sample required at time of interview, if selected
  • Skill in using a computer for work-processing and data entry/retrieval
  • Ability to prepare and review legal documents
  • Ability to receive and respond to constructive feedback
  • Ability to work with others in a collegial office environment
  • Ability to handle stressful situations
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a valid driver’s license
  • Ability to work 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday
  • Ability to work overtime as needed
  • Ability to arrange for personal transportation for business-related travel
  • Ability to use personal vehicle for business-related travel
  • Ability to lift 25 lbs.
  • Ability to travel (including overnight travel) up to 5%
• Legal Assistant II – All of the above functions for a Legal Assistant I, Plus:
  • Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university or thirty additional credit hours; Experience in the following (or closely related) fields may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-hear basis: Law, legal assistant, legal secretary, or general office experience in a legal environment

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Graduation from a course of study for legal assistants (Copy of certification required at time of interview)
• Experience: Legal Assistant or Legal Secretary experience
• Experience: Two years full-time experience in direct victim services
• Other Language: Ability to proficiently read, write, and speak Spanish