Legal Assistant V - Assistant to the General Counsel - Board of Pardons and Paroles - Austin (700194)

I. JOB SUMMARY

Performs highly advanced and supervisory legal assistant work. Work involves coordinating legal activities; researching, analyzing, investigating, and drafting legal documents; and assisting attorneys with case management; and supervising the work of others. Works under minimal supervision with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

II. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

A. Performs electronic legal research and prepares briefing papers regarding state and federal litigation against members of the Board of Pardons and Paroles, parole commissioners, and board employees; prepares, coordinates, and organizes case files; develops and maintains a litigation and opinion tracking system; and responds to requests from the Office of the Attorney General regarding lawsuit information to include discovery requests.

B. Coordinates and assists in analyzing state and federal writs of habeas corpus; responds to requests from the District Attorney’s Office and Office of the Attorney General for assistance and information on state and federal writs of habeas corpus; and develops and maintains state and federal writs of habeas corpus.

C. Formulates and prepares reports, correspondence, and other legal documents; oversees, researches, and analyzes legal sources to include statutes, case law, administrative records, opinions, articles, and various rules and regulations; and drafts and prepares legal briefs and legal documents on issues to include but not limited to, criminal cases, state and national death penalty and clemency-related court cases, and parole laws and cases.

D. Performs legal research relating to executive clemency, death penalty, clemency, commutation or reprieve, full pardons, pardons for innocence, and other related issues; conducts investigations; prepares chronologies; prepares factual and legal summaries; and explains previously interpreted laws, rules, regulations, and agency policies and procedures.

E. Supervises the work of others.

• Performs a variety of marginal duties not listed, to be determined and assigned as needed.

III. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

A. Education, Experience, and Training

1. Bachelor’s degree from a college or university accredited by an organization recognized by
the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or by the United States
Department of Education (USDE). Major course work in Criminal Justice, Law, or a
related field preferred. Each year of experience as described below in excess of the
required six years may be substituted for thirty semester hours from an accredited college
or university on a year-for-year basis.

2. Graduation from a course study for legal assistants or paralegals approved by the National
Association for Legal Assistants, American Bar Association, or American Association for
Paralegal Education required.

3. Six years full-time, wage-earning legal work or legal research experience to include litigation
support work.

4. Experience in the supervision of employees preferred.

5. Experience in legal assistance work preferred.

6. Experience in the use of LexisNexis, Westlaw, or equivalent legal research software
programs preferred.

7. Experience in the use of Microsoft Office Suite or equivalent to include word
processing, spreadsheet, database, or presentation software programs preferred.

B. Knowledge and Skills

1. Knowledge of legal terminology and electronic research methods and techniques.

2. Knowledge of legal and court procedures in Texas.

3. Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations affecting legal operations
preferred.

4. Skill to communicate ideas and instructions clearly and concisely.

5. Skill to coordinate with other staff, departments, officials, agencies, organizations, and the
public.

6. Skill to interpret and apply rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

7. Skill in problem-solving techniques.

8. Skill in the use of computers and related equipment in a stand-alone or local area network
environment.

9. Skill to prepare and maintain accurate records, files, and reports.

10. Skill to review technical data and prepare technical reports.

11. Skill to conduct legal research and investigations.

12. Skill to read, evaluate, and relate findings in cases.

13. Skill in the use of LexisNexis, Westlaw, or equivalent legal research software programs.

14. Skill to supervise the work of others.

IV. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS WITH OR WITHOUT REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

A. Ability to walk, stand, sit, kneel, push, stoop, reach above the shoulder, grasp, pull, bend
repeatedly, climb stairs, identify colors, hear with aid, see, write, count, read, speak, analyze,
alphabetize, lift and carry 15-44 lbs., perceive depth, operate a motor vehicle, and operate motor
equipment.

B. Conditions include working inside, working around machines with moving parts and moving
objects, radiant and electrical energy, working closely with others, working alone, working
protracted or irregular hours, and traveling by car, van, bus, and airplane.

C. Equipment (machines, tools, devices) used in performing only the essential functions include
computer and related equipment, calculator, copier, fax machine, recording and transcription
equipment, telephone, dolly, and automobile.

Please note that applications submitted via handwritten forms, email, mail, or fax will not be accepted. Your job application must be completely filled out and include all employment, do not limit employment to the past 10-15 years. Your application must contain complete job histories, which include job titles, name of employer, dates of employment, supervisor’s name and phone number, and a description of duties performed, and whether it was full-time or part-time and hours per week. If any of this information is not provided, your application may be rejected as incomplete

If you are scheduled for an interview and require any reasonable accommodation in our interview process, please inform the hiring representative who contacts you to schedule your interview. Whenever possible, please give the hiring representative sufficient time to consider and respond to your request.

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

*Outside applicants will be required to submit to pre-employment drug testing as a condition of employment.*

Questions regarding this posting may be directed to:

Leslie Enderton
14-HR/BPP
8610 Shoal Creek BLVD
Austin, TX 787575
PH (512) 406-5462
EMAIL Leslie.Enderton@TDCJ.Texas.Gov

The following Military Occupational Specialty codes are generally applicable to this position. Applicants must fully complete the summary of experience to determine if minimum qualifications are met.

Military Crosswalk Guide - Prepared by the State Auditor's Office

The State of Texas is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability in employment or the provision of services. You may make copies of this application and enter different position titles, but each copy must be signed. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of applications, unless specifically stated in the job vacancy notice.