Paralegal II

Position Description

A paralegal II provides assistance within the legal department under the direct supervision of the Paralegal Manager. [Paralegals are not authorized to give legal advice].

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assisting with TPIA, Subpoena requests, Disciplinary Letter Drafting, or handling appeals, depending on which division the paralegal is assigned (TPIA, Subpoenas, or Disciplinary)
• Assisting with CAO discovery requests, preparing Grand Jury Letters
• Performing Legal Research
• Reviewing and redacting documents
• Entering data into various Legal Services databases
• Gathering legal documents, and records from various HCSO bureaus/departments
• Assisting with other legal requests as directed by the supervisor
• Continuing legal education
• Performing other assignments and duties as required and/or necessary to support the needs of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office
  
  

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Management may, at its discretion, assign, or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Requirements

• Associate degree in paralegal studies OR
• Certificate of completion from paralegal certification program of education and training
• Three years of paralegal experience
  

Knowledge Of

• Previous knowledge of or ability to learn how to use Harris County Justice Information Management System (“JIMS”), HCSO mugshot database, EXCEL, ACCESS, GovQA, IAPro, Superion, SIRS, CAD, and LexisNexis or Westlaw is preferable
• HCSO Policies and Procedures
• Full understanding of all services provided by HCSO Legal Department
• Knowledge of Texas Rules of Civil and Criminal Procedures, TPIA, and Texas laws in general
  
  

Skilled In

• Proficient with Microsoft Office, specifically Outlook, Word, and Excel
• Proficient in the use of office equipment including, but not limited to, computer terminal, copier, calculator, printer, and fax machine
• Possession of exceptional language skills so that written and oral communications can be presented with proper grammar, spelling, punctuation, diction, and clear understanding
• Able to comprehend verbal, written, and electronic communications; able to articulate verbal, written, and electronic communication in proper form and where others can comprehend
• Must be highly organized and self-motivated
  
  

Ability To

• Train in all aspects of Legal Services and step in as needed
• Work independently as well as in a team environment
• Interact effectively with co-workers and the public
• Interact professionally with inmates
• Distinguish legal forms
• Draft exceptional letters
• Handle confidential information
• Work overtime and/or varying duty hours as deemed necessary; with an excellent attendance record
• Function effectively in a fast-paced environment
  
  

Preferences

• Five years of paralegal experience with a background in processing subpoenas and responding to discovery.
  
  

General Information

Work Environment

This job operates primarily in professional office or classroom environments, with some opportunities to deliver services in the field.

Physical Demands

This role is sedentary, however, the ability to lift and carry up to 10 pounds is necessary to lift files and/or boxes of files, documents, etc.

• Physical activities include but are not limited to, stooping, kneeling, lifting, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, finger dexterity, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions
• Light duty with an occasional requirement to move lightweight objects
• Must have professional office etiquette and adhere to dress code
  
  

Note

• Applicant submission of the Job Request Packet does not guarantee an interview
• To qualify for this position, the required experience, education, and skills must be clearly stated on your application's employment history
• Resumes are welcome, but we do not use any information provided on your resume for qualifications
• Experience obtained while in the military must also be included as part of your employment history on the application
  
  

Incomplete applications will not be considered

Equal Opportunity Statement

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, or any other protected class in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close before the advertised closing date if sufficient applications have been received

Benefits

Harris County offers a competitive benefits program, including comprehensive group health and related benefits plan as well as a defined benefit retirement plan.

The following list of benefits is offered only to employees in regular (full-time) positions:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Wellness
• Life Insurance
• Long-term disability
• Employee Assistance Program
• 10 days of vacation each year for the first five (5) years of service. Accrual rates increase based on years of service.
• 10 county holidays plus one (1) floating holiday
• Paid Parental Leave
• Professional development opportunities
• Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan
• Healthcare Reimbursement Account
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
  
  

The following benefits are also available to regular (full-time) employment and may be available to part-time employees:

• Retirement pension (TCDRS)
• Flexible schedules (varies by department)
• Transportation Assistance (Metro RideSponsor Program)
  

In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, Group Health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.

For Plan Details, Visit The Harris County Benefits Website

https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/Medical.aspx

01

Employees of the Harris County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) are exposed to confidential and law enforcement sensitive information. A thorough background investigation is required to properly evaluate the suitability of applicants for employment. For this reason, it is essential that you provide accurate information in all aspects of the process. The process will end for applicants who fail to provide truthful information. The following questions address information required to start the pre-qualifying requirements of the recruitment process. All information obtained herein will be used for the purposes of initiating a background investigation only. Additional questionnaires will be required at later stages of the application process. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, age, national origin, or disability.

• I have read the above statement and understand that by submitting this application I agree to be subject to a background investigation including but not limited to education, employment, driving record, criminal history, financial responsibility, or any such areas of investigation deemed reasonable and justifiable for purpose of employment with the HCSO.
  
  

02

Which of the following best describes your highest level of education as it relates to this position?

• High School Diploma or GED equivalency
• Associate's Degree in Paralegal Studies
• Associate's Degree in another field of study
• Bachelor's Degree or higher in Paralegal Studies
• Bachelor's Degree or higher in another field of study
• None of the above
  
  

03

Do you currently hold a Paralegal Certification from a Paralegal Certification program of education and training?

• Yes
• No
  
  

04

Which of the following best describes your years of Paralegal experience?

• Less than three (3) years
• Three (3) years, but less than four (4) years
• Four (4) years, but less than five (5) years
• More than five (5) years
• Not Applicable
  
  

05

Do you have five years of paralegal experience with a background in processing subpoenas and responding to discovery?

• Yes
• No
  
  

06

Please provide your full name (Last Name, First Name, Middle Name (no initials)

07

Please provide your date of birth.

08

Please provide your Social Security Number (SSN)

09

Which of the following citizenship status apply to you?

• United States Citizen (Born or Naturalized)
• Permanent Resident (Legally authorized to live and work in the United States)
• None of the above
  
  

10

Please provide your place of birth (city, county, state, and country)

11

Do you have a valid driver's license or State issued I.D.? NOTE: A Texas-issued driver's license is required prior to the start date.

• Driver's License
• State issued I.D.
• None of the above
  
  

12

Please provide your current driver's license number, state, and expiration date. If you do not have a driver's license please enter N/A.

13

Have you ever.... Please select all that apply.

• Been Convicted of a felony?
• Been accused/charged with a felony that was dismissed, received deferred adjudication and/or probation?
• Been convicted of a Class A misdemeanor, or the equivalent?
• Been convicted of a Class B misdemeanor, or the equivalent within the last 10 years?
• Been convicted of a Class B misdemeanor, or the equivalent over 10 years ago from today's date?
• Been accused/charged with a Class B misdemeanor or equivalent that was dismissed, received deferred adjudication and/or probation?
• Been dishonorably discharged from the United States armed forces?
• None of the above
  
  

14

Please explain your answer below. Include the type of offense, date charged, and date of discharge.

15

The Harris County Sheriff's Office has a strict policy on drug usage. If selected you will be required to take a pre-employment drug screening. All HCSO employees are also subject to random drug testing during the course of their employment. Please answer the following drug use-related questions truthfully, the admittance of past drug use will not necessarily prevent you from future employment with the HCSO.

• I acknowledge the HCSO has a strict drug use policy and that I will be subjected to a drug screening at some point in the recruitment process.
  
  

16

Have you ever sold/distributed illegal substances? (e.g. marijuana, prescription drugs, crack, meth, etc.)

• Yes
• No
  
  

17

If you answered yes, please provide the date(s) you sold/distributed an illegal substance and explain what kind of illegal substance you sold/distributed. If you answered "never", please type N/A.

18

Have you ever used any form of marijuana?

• Yes
• No
  
  

19

If yes, please explain and provide the date (day, month and year) of the last time you used marijuana. Type "N/A" if not applicable.

20

How many times have you used a prescription drug not prescribed to you?

• Once
• 2 or 3 times
• 4 or 5 times
• 6 or 7 times
• 8 or 9 times
• 10 or more times
• Weekly
• Monthly
• Never
  
  

21

When was the last possible date that you used a prescription drug not prescribed to you? Provide a specific date or at least a month and year. Type "N/A" if not applicable

22

Have you ever used any of the following drugs? (Select all that apply)

• Cocaine
• Heroine
• LSD
• Opium
• Other illegal substances
• Speed (Crystal meth, meth, crank, etc.)
• Steroids
• X.T.C. (Ecstasy)
• None of the above
  
  

23

If yes, please list the substance used and last possible date (day, month, year) you used any form of illegal drugs. Type "N/A" if not applicable

24

Submitting a complete application is the key to successful recruitment. Please read the following requirements carefully and ensure you have provided/documented all required information. 1) Complete employment history is required to be eligible for consideration. Your application's "Employment History" section must include all work history for the past 7 years or all available work history if you have been working for less than 7 years. Begin with your current (or most recent) job. Include full-time, part-time, temporary, seasonal, military assignments, and unpaid internships. Periods of unemployment between jobs should also be listed. Type "Unemployed" in the employer's box and list the dates you were unemployed. 2) Complete education history is required. The "Education History" section must list all High Schools attended, as well as all Colleges or Universities if applicable. List the name of the school, location (city and state), and dates attended. SUBMITTING AN INCOMPLETE APPLICATION WILL CAUSE DELAYS IN PROCESSING YOUR APPLICATION OR EVEN DISQUALIFICATION.

• I have reviewed my application and verified I have completed all required "Employment History" on this application.
• I have reviewed my application and verified I have completed all required "Education History" on this application.
• Required Question