Office of the Attorney General

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OAG employees enjoy excellent benefits along with tremendous opportunities to do important work at a large, dynamic state agency making a positive difference in the lives of Texans. A Legal Assistant V in the Environmental Protection Division performs highly advanced and/or supervisory (senior-level) legal assistant work. Work involves coordinating legal activities; researching, analyzing, investigating, and drafting legal documents; and assisting attorneys with case management. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS Oversees and/or coordinates the scheduling and drafting of interrogatories, requests for production, requests for admissions, and requests for information. Oversees and/or coordinates, assembles, and prepares evidence, exhibits, affidavits, and documents for use in legal proceedings. Oversees and/or researches and analyzes legal sources such as statutes, case law, administrative records, opinions, articles, treaties, property titles, and rules and regulations. Oversees and/or schedules and prioritizes attorney caseloads; organizes case files; attends initial interviews and depositions; conducts investigations; and prepares chronologies, fact summaries, and witness files. Prepares synopses, abstracts, or summaries of complex legal issues. Prepares attorneys for meetings with complainants, witnesses, and expert witnesses. Conducts statistical, documentary, and investigatory research. Drafts and responds to correspondence and opinion requests involving legal interpretations and decisions. Drafts cost analyses and bill summaries for proposed legislation, and tracks and analyzes relevant legislation. Assists in coordinating and responding to public information requests. May supervise the work of others. Performs related work as assigned. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Education: Graduation from high school or equivalent Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; experience in the following (or closely related) fields may be substituted for the required education on a yearfor-year basis: legal assistant, legal secretary, or general office experience in an administrative law or civil litigation environment Experience: Three years of full-time experience working in the following (or closely related) fields: legal assistant, legal secretary, or general office experience in an administrative law or civil litigation environment Knowledge of legal terminology; of state and federal laws, rules, and regulations; of research methods and techniques; of administrative and court procedures; of the legislative process; and of 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. Skill in effective oral and written communication Skill in exercising sound judgment and effective decision making. Ability to conduct research; to draft, prepare, and interpret legal documents; to evaluate and relate findings to cases in question; to conduct investigations; to communicate effectively; and to supervise the work of others. Ability to receive and respond positively to constructive feedback. Ability to work cooperatively with others in a professional office environment. Ability to provide excellent customer service. Ability to work in person at assigned OAG work location, perform all assigned tasks at designated OAG work space within OAG work location, and perform in-person work with coworkers (e.g., collaborating, training, mentoring) for the entirety of every work week (unless on approved leave) Ability to arrange for personal transportation for business-related travel Ability to work more than 40 hours as needed and in compliance with the FLSA Ability to lift and relocate 30 lbs. Ability to travel (including overnight travel) up to 5% PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Experience: Five years of full-time experience working as a paralegal or legal assistant TO APPLY To apply for a job with the OAG, submit a completed State of Texas job application through the OAG’s Job Postings Page. A State of Texas application must be completed to be considered, and paper applications are not accepted. For further instructions on how to apply through the OAG’s Job Postings Page, see our How to Apply page. Your application for this position may subject you to a criminal background check pursuant to the Texas Government Code. THE OAG IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER