THECB - Legal Assistant IV

Legal Assistant IV

Performs complex legal assistant and program assistance work related to student support services, APA rule making, and general administrative projects. Primary duties may include: receiving and responding to student complaints, serving as backup liaison to the Texas Register, and supporting the Public Information Coordinator. Work involves responding to student complaints, Public Information Act requests, and communicating with the Texas Register, as well as receiving, reviewing, revising, and tracking agency rules throughout the rule making process. Work is performed under general supervision with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment under the direction of the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel. The ideal candidate will have excellent attention to detail, the willingness to learn new skills, and a passion to further the mission of higher education.

General duties and responsibilities may include:

• Reviews legal documents for accuracy and completeness; edits written material for grammar, organization, and spelling; and provides other general administrative support.
• Answers a high volume of inquiries and complaints involving a variety of student matters.
• Assists in managing the agency's student complaint procedures to comply with the U.S. Department of Education's "Program Integrity" regulations.
• Research Public Information Act requests and may coordinate and draft responses for legal review.
• Provides research assistance related to legislative decisions, Attorney General Opinions, and opinions from the Texas Ethics Commission.
• Assists with researching, examining, and reviewing the accuracy of legal sources such as statutes, case law, administrative records, and applicable rules and regulations.
• Assists with the preparation and review of contracts, pleadings, motions, briefs, opinions, position statements, proposed legislation, and other legal memoranda.
• Assists with the preparation of petitions, summary judgment motions, discovery responses, and other applicable documents.
• Assists with the investigation of matters relating to student complaints; and may coordinate and organize agency responses.
• Assists the Office of General Counsel in providing legal advice, counsel, and assistance to staff.
• Assists with the coordination of meetings, trainings, and the maintenance of CLE (Continuing Legal Education) registrations.
• Assists and coordinates procurement and contract development tasks
• May communicate with agency staff, members of the public, other state agencies, and post-secondary institutions concerning legal issues.
• May train others.
• Performs related work as assigned.

This position reports to the office two days a week.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities include:

• Knowledge of office practices, administrative procedures, and customer service principles and practices
• Knowledge of administrative, state contract, and commercial laws
• Knowledge of document management systems
• Ability to work successfully in both a small team environment and in a self-paced environment
• Knowledge of litigation processes, and of legal principles, practice, and proceedings
• Ability to research and accurately interpret and consistently apply policies and procedures
• Ability to understand and appropriately interpret and apply state and federal laws, rules, regulations and procedures affecting student complaints and residency
• Ability to communicate information in a clear, organized, and concise way
• Ability to successfully manage multiple projects, tasks, and priorities
• Ability to work under pressure, and successfully meet objectives and deadlines
• Superb attention to detail
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships both internally and externally
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing
• Ability to meet periodic milestones and final deadlines
• Ability to maintain attorney-client privilege and confidentiality of records required by law
• Skill in legal research, writing, and analysis
• Skill in using personal computers, general office software, databases, and online legal research services and software
• Skill in conflict resolution

Required minimum education and experience:

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college
• Minimum of 3+ years' of full-time work experience as a legal assistant or paralegal; or
• An Associate Degree and a minimum of 7+ years' full-time experience as a certified paralegal or legal assistant

Preferred:

• Experience serving as liaison to the Texas Register
• Paralegal certification from an accredited college or program;
• Experience handling complaints or similar customer service-related experience
• Experience as a paralegal/legal assistant in a state government environment
• Experience with the Texas Administrative Procedure Act, Texas Open Meetings Act, and Texas Public Information Act
• Experience coordinating responses to requests for records under the Public Information Act
• Experience with the rules and processes of the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH)
• Experience communicating and coordinating filings with the Texas Register
• Knowledge of state government agencies and processes
• Knowledge of legislative process
• Knowledge of laws, regulations, and rules governing the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

Physical requirements and/or working conditions:

• Work is performed in a standard office environment and requires: frequent use of personal computer, copiers, printers, and telephones; frequent sitting. Frequently working under deadlines, as a team member, and in direct contact with others.
• Workforce: Must be able to: regularly, reliably, and punctually attend work. Demonstrate knowledge of customer service deliverables. Show flexibility and adaptability toward changes in assignments and work schedules, working extended hours as necessary. Adhere to the organization's internal management policies and procedures. Contribute to the agency's performance measures and mission.

Application requirements:

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is an Equal Opportunity Employer. A State of Texas application is required to apply. For more information on how to apply for this position, go to the Coordinating Board's employment opportunities website at Careers - Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board participates in E-Verify for each new employees' Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. For questions, please call the HR Department at View phone number on click.appcast.io. For vocal and/or hearing assistance call 7-1-1. Notes to Applicant: If you require any reasonable accommodation for the interview process, please inform the hiring representative who calls to schedule your interview. This position has been designated as a security sensitive position. A criminal background investigation will be conducted on the final candidate for this position. Your job application must be completely filled out. Your application must contain dates of employment, job titles, name of employer and a description of duties performed in a way that demonstrates you meet the minimum qualifications for the position for which you are applying. Resumes do not take the place of the requirement to include this information on the application. If this information is not submitted, your application may be rejected because it is incomplete. Veterans Information: THECB is committed to hiring Veterans. To receive Veteran's Preference, a copy of the FORM DD214 -member #4, must be attached when submitting your application. AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: THECB does not discriminate on the basis, of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability in employment or the provision of services. Job offer and continuation of employment with THECB is contingent upon: Proof of education and experience listed on the application. Eligibility/authorization to work in the U.S. Satisfactory results from a pre-employment criminal history background check. Compliance with the Selective Service Law for males ages 18-25. Please be advised that under Texas law, names and other information concerning applicants or nominees may be subject to disclosure upon request. THECB does not allow dual employment with other state of Texas agencies or institutions. Skills assessment may be conducted at time of interview No phone calls or emails, please. Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls and cannot reply to all email inquiries. Only candidates selected for interview will be contacted.