Paralegal Sr.

Manage response, and respond, to Open Records Requests for the agency. Oversees, directs, and assists the paralegals and legal secretary in responding to open records requests, subpoenas, and government requests received. Materials related to these requests include, but is not limited to, offense reports, in car video, body camera video, jail video, audio files, crime scene photographs and other material related to the investigation of criminal, civil and internal matters. Under limited supervision, oversees, directs and assists the paralegals and legal secretary in providing legal research support, screening, reviewing, analyzing and organization of case material required for court presentation and/or settlement. This includes, but is not limited to assisting attorneys, investigators and paralegals employed by the Travis County Attorney’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office. Prepare draft responses to various pleadings, discovery, motions, affidavits, and subpoenas. Supervises the work of assigned paralegals and secretarial support staff.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This is the second in a series of two paralegal-related job classifications within the Administrative Support job family. This classification is distinguished from the Paralegal in that incumbents supervise other Paralegals and serve as the primary agent in the research and drafting of legal memoranda on substantive and procedural legal topics. Incumbents also have a more pronounced role in the discovery process and high-profile felony cases. Sensitivity to detail, communications and confidentiality. Customer and client contact. This classification may require work in secure facilities.

• Supervises, trains and coordinates work assignments of paralegals, secretarial, clerical, and other staff. May participate in paralegal, secretarial, clerical or other staff selection, promotion or retention processes and may help to evaluate them. May also conduct monthly paralegal staff meetings.
• Oversees, directs and assists the paralegals and legal secretary in responding to thousands of open records requests, subpoenas, and government requests received as well as expunction order and pseudonym requests. Materials related to these requests include, but is not limited to offense reports, in car video, body camera video, jail video, audio files, crime scene photographs and other material related to the investigation of criminal, civil and internal matters.
• Oversees, directs and assists the paralegals and legal secretary in the management of ongoing claims, litigation and Travis County Sheriff’s Office Civil Service Commission grievances involving our office.
• Oversees, directs and assists the paralegals and legal secretary in providing legal research support, screening, reviewing, analyzing and organization of case material required for court presentation and/or settlement. This includes, but is not limited to assisting attorneys, investigators and paralegals employed by the Travis County Attorney’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office.
• Serves as a resource for the Sheriff, Chief Deputy, and Sheriff’s Office at large regarding employee grievances, criminal and civil issues involving this office.
• Coordinates, assembles, and prepares evidence, exhibits, affidavits, and other documents for use in court, administrative and other legal proceedings.
• May assist attorney(s) in preparation for trials, court and administrative hearings, depositions, meetings, and other proceedings. Preparation may include, but is not limited to, coordinating witness appearance in court, investigating facts, drafting correspondence to attorney(s), governmental agencies, law enforcement agencies, and the general public. Coordinates, assembles and prepares evidence, affidavits, and other documents for use in court, administrative, and other legal proceedings
• Researches and analyzes legal sources such as statutes, code law, administrative records, opinions, articles, land titles, abstracts, legislative histories and rules and regulations. Prepares and drafts legal memoranda on substantive and procedural legal topics consistent with research findings.
• Conducts legal research assisting TCSO Staff in case preparation, as required. Retrieves information from computer to assist case documentation and obtains other agency information related to case preparation.. Maintains statistical records and prepares reports. 
• Assists in analyzing, evaluating, developing and implementing processes and systems to create more efficient workflow procedures in the criminal justice system.
• May educate and train employees regarding potential liabilities in law enforcement and correctional facilities.
• May attend meetings, post meeting agendas and assist with Public Information Act requests.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned

Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree in Paralegal Studies, Public Administration, Business Administration or a directly related field AND three (3) years experience as a paralegal;

OR,

Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:
Paralegal Certificate from a professionally recognized Paralegal/Legal Assistant program.
Applicants are required to attach a resume with the online application.

Preferred:
Project, lead or supervisory experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws, rules, regulations and guidelines.
• Law office management and administration.
• Policies, practices, procedures and legal terminology related to court system.
• Criminal and/or civil justice system policies and procedures.
• Discovery process.
• Open meetings law and the Public Information Act.
• Current legal trends in the interaction of law and professional ethics.
• Statistical and record keeping applications, including databases and spreadsheets.
• Business letter writing, grammar and punctuation, and report preparation.
• May be required to develop knowledge of and adhere to federal and state laws requiring the confidential handling of certain health information.

• Acquiring, maintaining, organizing, analyzing and summarizing case evidence.
• Crafting legal documents.
• Working with witnesses, victims, attorneys and other court staff.
• Understanding legal terminology and English grammar.
• Operating a variety of modern office equipment, including a computer.
• Both verbal and written communication.

• Supervise and train clerical and administrative employees.
• Perform legal research.
• Accurately and succinctly summarize legal information.
• Prepare and draft legal memoranda on substantive and procedural legal topics consistent with research findings.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with County employees and officials, judges, attorneys, court personnel, other participants in the civil justice system, representatives of outside agencies, and the general public.

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 20-50 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to sitting, client/customer contact, standing, walking, vision to monitor, repetitive motion, stooping/kneeling, squatting, bending, and reaching to perform the essential functions.

Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.

Work Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM; Monday through Friday

This position is in office.

Department: Sheriff

Location: Austin, TX

Drug Test and Alcohol Test Required.
Criminal, Credit, Driving, Education, and Employment Check Required.