Job Title: Legal Assistant IV – Senior Legal Assistant
Posting: #0404-25
Opening Date: April 14, 2025
Closing Date: Until filled
Location: North Campus- 1106 Clayton Ln. Austin, TX 78723
Yearly Salary: B22 $68,124- $70,780.44
Division: Enforcement/Prosecution
PO BOX 12157, Austin, TX 78711
PH: 512.463.7184
FAX: 512.475.3377
Job Description
The Senior Legal Assistant is selected by and responsible to the Legal Assistant Manager and Legal Assistant Supervisor. Work involves performing highly advanced legal assistant duties serving as a team leader to support other legal assistants in the Prosecution Legal Assistants section, as well as supporting a prosecuting attorney in the Prosecution section. Team leader responsibilities include training; reviewing samples of work and providing feedback; providing input on the evaluation of employees’ performance; preparing statistical and other special reports; answering questions regarding enforcement policies and procedures; and providing mentoring and guidance to other legal assistants and administrative assistants on an ongoing basis. Work may also involve supporting a prosecuting attorney in the Prosecution section, assisting an attorney with caseload management including retrieving, analyzing, and interpreting criminal history record information; responding to open records requests; reviewing and resolving complaints against licensees and other regulated persons and entities; extensive drafting of legal documents and correspondence; managing calendars and scheduling hearings; preparing witnesses and organizing evidence for presentation in hearings; monitoring the activities of respondents to ensure compliance with agreed orders; and disseminating general information regarding enforcement cases and procedures. Provides assistance and training in the department’s efforts to combat Human Trafficking. Work is performed under minimal supervision with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
Essential Duties
• Provides training, mentoring, and guidance to legal assistants in the Prosecution section to promote consistency in the application of laws and procedures, and to assist in keeping them informed of policies and priorities established by the Legal Assistant Manager, the Director and the Executive Office.
• Assists the Legal Assistant Manager, Legal Assistant Supervisor and works in close cooperation with colleagues in the Prosecution section to ensure that the Prosecution workload is managed effectively and that joint assignments are completed in a timely and beneficial manner.
• Assists the Legal Assistant Supervisor with monitoring the legal assistants’ and administrative assistants’ workloads to ensure that cases are resolved in a timely fashion. Assists the Legal Assistant Supervisor with compiling and analyzing statistics related to productivity and performance measures in the Prosecution section, and with establishing targets for measuring success.
• Prepares special reports, designs charts and completes special projects as assigned by the Legal Assistant Manager, or Legal Assistant Supervisor.
• Trains new legal assistants and administrative assistants, with oversight and approval by the Legal Assistant Supervisor. Develops, coordinates, and delivers training as needed, or makes arrangements for training to be obtained from other sources. Trains legal and administrative assistants on all computer programs used in the Prosecution section.
• Reviews samples of work completed by legal assistants and administrative assistants and provides feedback where appropriate to ensure the highest quality work.
• Assists the Legal Assistant Supervisor in monitoring the performance of legal assistants and administrative assistants in the Prosecution section, including providing input for the preparation of annual performance appraisals.
• Assists the Legal Assistant Manager and the Legal Assistant Supervisor in the hiring of new legal assistants and administrative assistants for the Prosecution section, which includes screening applications, conducting interviews, evaluating interview results and checking references.
• Assists the Legal Assistant Supervisor in formulating, establishing and monitoring procedures, policies and priorities for the Prosecution section. Participates in maintaining and revising the Complaint Resolution Procedures Manual, the Legal Files Procedure Manual, the Enforcement Plan and the Criminal Conviction Guidelines.
• Assists a prosecutor in managing a caseload that includes cases under all program statutes. Stays up-to-date on the status of enforcement cases by maintaining an accurate tickler system for notices of alleged violation and other time-sensitive documents. Maintains case files. Records relevant information in the case management system. Negotiates settlements of enforcement cases.
• Reviews investigative reports related to complaints to ascertain that all necessary evidence has been obtained and makes recommendations to the prosecutor regarding resolution of enforcement cases.
• Drafts appropriate legal documents and correspondence for the prosecutor, including notices of alleged violation, notices of hearing, letters of proposed license denial, motions, agreed orders, exceptions to proposals for decision, and case closing letters.
• Dockets cases for administrative hearings. Assists the attorney in preparing for administrative hearings. Schedules witnesses and prepares them for testifying, organizes documentary evidence, and prepares exhibit lists, trial notebooks, and other tools used by the attorney.
• Maintains an accurate calendar of informal conferences and administrative hearings, and prompts attorneys and investigators as needed for trial preparation or case settlement.
• Attends administrative hearings and Commission meetings with the attorney, and assists as needed.
• Researches and interprets statutes, rules, regulations, codes, and administrative records, and analyzes their applicability and significance in specific fact situations presented in complaints. Identifies indicators of trafficked persons in complaints and cases.
• Attends and participates in intradepartmental meetings as directed by the Legal Assistant Manager and Legal Assistant Supervisor.
• Assists the General Counsel’s Office on open records requests including gathering and compiling responsive documents and information.
• Researches and responds to inquiries about enforcement cases and enforcement holds placed in licensing records, from both inside and outside the agency. Also responds to inquiries regarding TDLR’s multiple statutes and rules, and the agency’s enforcement procedures and policies. Responds to such inquiries both orally and in writing, on a daily basis.
• Conducts Internet research as needed to secure identity, location, ownership and other background information about individuals, business entities, properties, and events.
• Collaborates with other division staff on the department’s Anti-Trafficking efforts, aides and assists with training and presentations related to Human Trafficking for division staff.
• Performs duties in accordance with division policies and procedures set forth by the Director, including but not limited to: the Complaint Resolution Procedures Manual, the Legal Files Procedure Manual, the Enforcement Plan, the Criminal Conviction Guidelines, and the Complaint Prioritization Schedule.
• Consistently provides friendly, caring and professional customer service.
• Complies with division and/or agency training requirements.
• Demonstrates a spirit of teamwork, fosters camaraderie, offering positive and constructive ideas, encouragement and support to other members of the staff and team, while upholding the agency’s core values.
• Keeps management appropriately informed of ongoing activity and critical matters affecting the operation and well-being of the agency.
• Adheres to all Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation Personnel Policies and performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Requirements
Five years experience performing legal assistant work required. Managerial, supervisory or team lead experience preferred. Previous work experience with TDLR, particularly in the Enforcement Division, is preferred. Graduation from a standard senior high school or equivalent required.
Military Occupation Specialty Code:
Army 27D, Navy LN, Marine 4400, Air Force 5JOX1
Remarks
The successful candidate will have: Knowledge of legal practices and terminology, and, of basic legal concepts such as jurisdiction, notice, and due process. Knowledge of basic investigative methods, rules of evidence, and agency policies and procedures relevant to investigations and enforcement; of the Open Records Act; and, of administrative law proceedings and the associated legal documents. Skill in using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problem; in the use of computers and applicable software, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Legal Files, Outlook, internet and email applications; and, in the use of a computer to produce complex legal documents, correspondence, statistical reports, and other complex documents. Skill in conducting internet research; in the use of case management systems and electronic databases; and, in the operation of office equipment. Effective communication skills in the contexts of telephone contacts, in-person contacts, and testifying in court. Excellent writing skill including proficiency in drafting legal documents and basic business correspondence using proper spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, and grammar. Ability to interpret, apply, and explain, both orally and in writing, statutes, rules, and procedures; to establish and maintain effective working relationships; and, to provide training. Ability to evaluate work completed by others; to demonstrate independent thinking and decision-making; and to plan and manage multiple tasks or courses of action simultaneously. Ability to interpret criminal history records; and, to respond effectively to rapidly changing priorities.
How to Apply
Applications may be downloaded through TDLR’s website https: www.tdlr.texas.gov/employ.htm. Only Email or fax applications accepted. Email [email protected] or fax 512.475.3377. Incomplete applications will not be considered. A resume in lieu of application will be rejected. Additionally, an application with “see resume” within the summary of experience is considered incomplete and will be rejected. Submit a copy of degree if in lieu of experience/skills requirement. To receive Military Employment Preference for any position, submit a copy of the DD214 or DD1300 with application.
This job is not covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
TDLR provides a total compensation package that enables us to attract, motivate, and retain highly skilled and talented employees, including a merit system, full use of salary ranges, performance awards, retention and recruitment bonuses. TDLR participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), TDLR will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the application, contact TDLR
Human Resources at 512-463-7184. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation.