Job Title

Job Descriptions: Under the direction of the General Counsel and Director of Government Affairs (GC DGA), the primary job duty of the Paralegal is to provide support to the Legal Division, and as requested, to forensic sections and business departments, in furtherance of their compliance with legal obligations. Primary support will be in assisting HFSC attorneys and the Public Information and Records Management Officer in complex administrative tasks related to legal research, writing, review, analysis, and compliance. Specific duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: Legal Division Supportu2022 As directed by the GC DGA, assist legal department with tasks in support of legal projects and duties, including but not limited to, contract review and drafting, legal research, editing and drafting legal documents and presentations. u2022 Utilizes a variety of sources such as statutes, recorded judicial decisions, and legal articles to research and analyze legal topics. u2022 Drafts and edits legal documents such as briefs, pleadings, memorandums, presentations and motions. u2022 Assists attorneys with depositions, witness interviews, discovery, and investigations in preparation for court appearances and administrative hearings. u2022 Serve as contracts administrator for the Contracts Lifecycle Management System (CLMS), screening requests, managing user accounts, tracking review turnaround times through monthly and annual reports, responding to, and fixing system errors or referring errors to designated technical support resources. Provide assistance to the HFSC Public Information Officer in fulfilling records requests subject to the Public Information Act, including, but not limited to redacting records, drafting letters to the Texas Attorney General, and researching previous Open Records letter rulings and decisions from the Texas Attorney Generalu2019s Office. u2022 As requested, assist with compilation and review of complex discovery and records requests. u2022 Assist with the post-conviction review team and workflow, serving as the post-conviction monitor when requested, researching cases, and providing updates to the team as needed. u2022 Process expunctions and ensure appropriate documents are filed with the court and/or submitted to the parties, including, but not limited to logging, researching, and drafting and filing signature pages and waivers. u2022 Assist in processing requests for HFSC forensic services and drafting outsourcing agreements under the guidance of the GC DGA. u2022 Assist with Board meeting materials including drafting action item summaries, conducting research for agenda items, and serving as Board Secretary in the absence of the appointed Board Secretary. u2022 Provide significant assistance to the HFSC Records Management Officer in administrative tasks related to records management projects. u2022 Perform tasks in support of HFSCu2019s overall records management processes, including but not limited to records audits, tracking, filing, cataloging, scanning, inventorying, and other related tasks. u2022 Provide support to the Government and Public Affairs team, including but not limited to preparing documents and compiling data for meetings with elected and appointed officials as well as stakeholder leadership teams. u2022 Recommends innovative new processes that will benefit the division. u2022 Serve as s notary public for the organization. Forensic Section Support u2022 As assigned or approved by the GC DGA, provide support and assistance to HFSCu2019s seven (7) forensic sections, in furtherance of each sectionu2019s compliance with legal obligations, including fulfilment of discovery request and subpoenas for records.u2022 Provide requested updates on court status and case disposition to sections to assist in resolution of pending records, subpoenas, and casework requests. u2022 Analyze and report subpoena tracking data, as requested. Required Experience: MINIMUM EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTSBachelor's degree in a related field is required. Paralegal certification is required, or ability to obtain certification within 12 months of hire from approved certification program. Failure to obtain certification will result in demotion, reassignment, or termination if no position exists for which the individual is qualified. MINIMUM EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTSu2022 Minimum of 2 years previous experience in a similar industry is required. Similar industries include experience in a legal department or law office, government, forensic laboratory (records department), court, or a county or district clerku2019s office. Experience need not be as a paralegal.u2022 Experience in Harris County Criminal Justice System and/or a forensic laboratory environment is a plus. KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTSu2022 Demonstrated skill in oral and written communication.u2022 Ability to manage multiple projects with quick turnaround times simultaneously.u2022 Excellent attention to detail, laser focus on quality, and ability to consider the big picture.u2022 Excellent stakeholder management and interpersonal skills, including the confidence to interact with and influence personnel at all levels.u2022 Demonstrated ability to use complex analytical skills to select and execute duties. u2022 Demonstrated skills in listening, responsiveness, flexibility, initiative, decision-making, and conflict resolution.u2022 Demonstrated proficiency in Office Suite products; specifically, Microsoft TEAMS and Office 365.u2022 Motivated self-starter requiring minimal guidance yet possessing ability to know when to ask for helpu2022 Strong initiative as well as excellent teamwork, creative thinking and problem-solving skillsu2022 Demonstrated ability to develop innovative solutions to problemsu2022 Excellent organization skillsu2022 Desire to learn the organization operations as well as the culture of HFSC; ability to quickly assess risk and provide meaningful mission focused guidance. Keyword: Paralegal From: Houston Forensic Science Center