Government
Houston, TX
Legal Staff Paralegal in Houston, TX
Legal Staff
No
Job Title: Paralegal - Children's Protective Services
Job Responsibilities:
The Paralegal for the Children's Protective Services Division within the organization is tasked with a range of responsibilities under the general supervision of the Lead Attorney. This role involves performing delegated and supervised substantive legal work, requiring an understanding of legal principles and procedures. The Paralegal is responsible for ensuring the smooth and timely preparation of cases from inception through trial and will serve as the liaison between the courts, clerks, attorneys, and the public as needed. Key duties include:
- Managing a high-volume caseload.
- Preparing and processing legal documents and correspondences such as petitions, orders, affidavits, motions, responses, pleadings, decrees, citations, publications, case findings, statements of evidence, and discovery.
- Researching and gathering necessary information and records pertaining to legal cases.
- Communicating with internal and external contacts regarding case-related matters and inquiries.
- Preparing for trial by organizing exhibits.
- Creating, organizing, and maintaining case files and records in the case management system.
- Performing notary services as a Traditional and Online Notary Public in the State of Texas for case-related matters.
- Attending hearings and trials to hear oral arguments or record necessary case information.
- Calendaring hearings, docket control orders, notices, and deadlines for cases.
- Serving as backup to other Paralegals and support staff as needed.
- Participating in division meetings and other meetings regarding case-related matters.
- Encouraging and mentoring other support staff and interns.
- Performing other related duties as assigned.
It is noted that the job description is not exhaustive, and management may assign or reassign duties and responsibilities at any time.
Education and Experience:
Applicants for the Paralegal position must meet the following education and experience criteria:
- An Associate's Degree or higher in Paralegal Studies or a closely related field, or
- A Paralegal certificate, or
- A minimum of five (5) years of experience working as a paralegal.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Candidates should possess:
- Excellent research, writing, and organizational skills.
- Excellent attention to detail.
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills and the ability to communicate and collaborate independently or within a team setting.
- Proficiency in using technology and legal tools, such as Microsoft Office Suite, PDF Editing software, JWEB, DEEDS, and TLO.
- Familiarity with the Texas Family Code, the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, the Texas Rules of Professional Conduct, and Federal statutes related to child welfare laws.
- Knowledge of Texas and federal electronic filing systems such as Texas e-file and federal ECF/Pacer to file and retrieve court documents.
- Ability to use case management software effectively.
- Ability to perform in-person and online e-notary services as a Traditional and Online Notary Public in the State of Texas.
- Ability to perform thorough legal and factual analyses and exercise good judgment.
- Ability to perform multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining an effective balance of priorities and high productivity.
- Ability to comply with the organization’s training requirements.
- Occasional ability to work extended hours when necessary to accommodate caseload demands.
General Information:
The position is full-time, typically operating Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, though hours may vary based on business needs. The selected candidate may be eligible to participate in the organization's telework program. The role is based in a professional office environment, utilizing standard office equipment such as computers, printers, scanners/copiers, and phones.
Employment may be contingent upon passing a drug screen and meeting other standards. Due to a high volume of applications, positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the hiring department.
Salary Information:
The salary for this position depends on qualifications.
Additional Information:
Applicants must provide a cover letter and resume with three professional references. Employment is subject to a criminal history check, but only relevant convictions will be considered. The organization is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Jun 24, 2025
|
Tell us where to send your access instructions: