Legal Assistant II or III

Legal Assistant II or III

To apply for any posted position with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, please register or log in at

https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/407/jobsearch.ftl

Resumes are not accepted in lieu of State of Texas application

DESCRIPTION

TCOLE Mission

The mission of the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, as a regulatory State agency, is to establish and enforce standards to ensure that the people of Texas are served by highly trained and ethical law enforcement, corrections, and telecommunications personnel.

TCOLE Legal Mission Statement

To provide excellence in legal representation supporting TCOLE policy objectives and operations. We are committed to delivering counsel and litigation efforts that adhere to applicable laws and the highest ethical standards.

Our Legal Team

TCOLE’s legal team provides comprehensive legal services to support the agency's regulatory mission. The team handles complex litigation, administrative hearings, rulemaking, policy development, and strategic legal counsel. Our legal team works closely with the Office of the Attorney General, State Office of Administrative Hearings, and various stakeholders to ensure compliance with state laws and protect the public interest through effective legal representation and enforcement.

Who We're Looking For

The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) is seeking a Legal Assistant II or III to join the legal team located at 6330 E HWY 290, Suite 200, Austin, TX.

Work involves researching, analyzing, investigating, and drafting legal documents, and assisting attorneys with case management.

Legal Assistant II: Performs complex (journey-level) legal assistant work. Works under general supervision, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Legal Assistant III: Performs highly complex (senior-level) legal assistant work. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. May oversee or coordinate the work of others. 

The salary range is $45,000 - $70,000. The Job Class for this position is 3574 or 3576 and salary group is B18 or B20.

EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED

Drafts and prepares pleadings, motions, briefs, abstracts, petitions, summary judgments, legal correspondence, and other legal documents.

Researches and analyzes legal sources such as statutes, case law, administrative records, opinions, articles, treaties, property titles, and rules and regulations.

Organizes the service of subpoenas, service of notices of deposition, and the preparation of other legal documents.

Assembles and prepares evidence, exhibits, affidavits, and documents for use in legal proceedings.

Checks citations, quotations, footnotes, and references for accuracy.

Summarizes laws, rules, and regulations.

Schedules, attends, and prepares attorneys for hearings, trials, meetings, interviews, appellate arguments, depositions, and docket calls.

Schedules and prioritizes attorney caseloads, organizes case files, attends initial interviews and depositions, conducts investigations, and prepares chronologies, fact summaries, and witness files.

Reviews and performs redacting of confidential documents for filing with various courts.

Meets with clients and others to discuss details of cases.

Assists in drafting cost analyses and bill summaries for proposed legislation, and tracks and analyzes relevant legislation.

Assists in responding to public information requests.

May prepare synopses, abstracts, or summaries of complex legal issues.

May draft and respond to correspondence and opinion requests involving legal interpretations and decisions.

Performs related work as assigned.

This position requires regular in-person attendance at our headquarters in Austin at 6330 E Hwy 290, Austin, Texas 78723.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

Three (3) years of experience in legal assistance work required.

Five (5) years of experience in legal assistance work is preferred.

Graduation from high school or equivalent required.

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in law or a related field is preferred.

Experience and education may be substituted for one another.

Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

Knowledge of legal terminology; state and federal laws, rules, and regulations; research methods and techniques; administrative and court procedures; the legislative process; and public notice requirements.

Skill in understanding and processing information, in the use of office equipment, and in the use of a computer and applicable software.

Ability to conduct research; to draft, prepare, and interpret legal documents; to evaluate and relate findings to cases in question; to conduct investigations; and to communicate effectively.

Registration, Certification, or Licensure

Certification as a legal assistant or paralegal is preferred.

Why work at TCOLE?

Working for the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) empowers you to make an impact on public safety while engaging in continuous learning within a supportive environment. You'll play a crucial role in upholding high law enforcement standards, collaborating with local agencies, and enhancing the well-being of Texans. As a Texas State employee, you will have access to our comprehensive benefit programs including:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans with several types of coverage to state employees and their eligible family members
• 12 - 16 days of annual paid holidays
• At least eight hours of paid vacation and up to eight hours of paid sick leave each month for full-time employees
• Retirement options with the State of Texas Retirement that provide flexibility and security
• Health and Wellness programs including wellness leave, fitness and weight management programs, and personalized wellness tools
• TCOLE is a qualifying organization for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• The Discount Purchase Program provides access to an online marketplace offering discount on a wide range of products and services

All positions with TCOLE are security sensitive. Applicants are subject to an in-depth background investigation including criminal history, employment history and references, military, education, and personal references. Employment is contingent upon the verification of credentials and/or other information required.

Equal Opportunity Employer - TCOLE is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

ADA - In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), TCOLE will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the online application, contact the Human Resources Department at 512-936-0831. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY CODES can be found

at: http://www.hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions

VETERAN’S PREFERENCE:  If you choose to claim veteran’s employment preference including surviving spouse or orphan of a veteran as outlined by the State of Texas, you must attach a DD214 at the time your application is submitted.

BENEFITS: For new hires and rehires, health insurance is available on the 1st of the following month after a 60-day waiting period. More information about benefits is available at https://ers.texas.gov/benefits-at-a-glance

APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED THROUGH WORK IN TEXAS: Work In Texas (WIT) applicants must complete the supplemental questions to be considered for the posting.  To complete the supplemental questions, please go to CAPPS Recruit to register or login and access your profile.  Go to CAPPS Recruit to sign in (Link: https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/407/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en). 

PLEASE NOTE: All applications must contain complete job histories, which include job title, dates of employment, name of employer, supervisor's name and phone number, and a description of duties performed.   If this information is not submitted, your application may be rejected because it is incomplete.  Resumes do not take the place of this required information.  Candidates may be asked to participate in a skills demonstration and/or presentation.  Salary is contingent upon qualifications and is subject to salary administration and budgetary restrictions.

-         Complete copies of college transcripts must be furnished to the divisional hiring representative at the time of the interview, if applicable.

-      If you are scheduled for an interview and require any reasonable accommodation in our interview process, please inform the hiring representative who calls you to schedule your interview.  Whenever possible, please give the hiring representative sufficient time to consider and respond to your request.  Only applicants scheduled for interviews will be contacted. 

-          As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or veteran status, unless an applicant is entitled to the veteran’s preference. 

-          This position requires the applicant to meet Agency standards and criteria which may include passing a pre-employment background check, prior to being offered employment by the Agency.