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Paralegal

Job Status: OPEN 
Posting Date: December 9, 2024
 

Job Description

The paralegal will play an integral role on multi-disciplinary teams to help provide holistic, post-conviction representation to clients in state post-conviction proceedings. The work involves researching, analyzing, investigating and drafting legal documents and assisting attorneys and mitigation specialists with case management. Among other duties, this work includes:​

  • Assisting with the preparation of pleadings, exhibits, and evidentiary hearings;

  • Assisting with case organization;

  • Review, index, digest, and/or create chronologies of case documents;

  • Assisting with the development of mitigation evidence, including the organizing and analyzing of records relating to the offense and the client’s life history and supporting investigations, primarily through records requests, factual research and information digests;

  • Coordinate requests under the Texas Public Information Act;

  • Provide general office support, such as assisting with correspondence, file organization, general administrative tasks, and answering the telephone.

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Given the nature of the work, paralegals should expect to work some evenings, weekends, and holidays. Occasional travel throughout Texas is required.

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Minimum Qualifications

  • A four-year college degree or experience in the legal field;

  • Excellent organization, communication, and administrative skills;

  • A strong commitment to the mission of OCFW;

  • Ability to work collaboratively in team settings, strengths in teamwork, and relationship building;    

  • Capacity to think critically, creatively, and multi-task in fast-paced settings;

  • Exceptional judgment, discretion, and confidentiality around sensitive issues;

  • Computer proficiency with word processing, email, legal research, and database maintenance, using Word and other Windows-based applications;

  • Excellent written and oral communication.

 

Preferred Qualifications

  • Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university;

  • A strong legal, administrative, or paralegal background;

  • Prior work in capital or criminal defense or work in the criminal legal system;

  • Fluency in Spanish.

 

Additional Qualifications for Legal Assistant III/IV/V Positions

Higher classification and salary levels depend on the applicant’s demonstrated skill in:

  • the preparation of pleadings, exhibits, and evidentiary hearings;

  • Case organization;

  • The preparation of indices, digests and case chronologies under minimal supervision; index, digest, and/or create chronologies of case documents;

  • Experience in the development of mitigation evidence;

  • Prior experience making public information act requests;

  • Prior experience supervising the work of others.

Employment Conditions 

  • Ability to operate standard office equipment and software;

  • A valid driver’s license, and the willingness to operate a motor vehicle for client-representation purposes;

  • Ability and willingness to travel throughout Texas and, on occasion, out of state; occasional travel is required for this position.

  • Ability to occasionally lift 30 pounds

Additional Details

Posting Date: 

Closing Date: Until Filled 

Job Listing: 215-25-03

Location: Austin, Texas

State Classification: Legal Assistant II/III/IV/V

Salary Range: $45,000 to $75,000, depending on experience and qualifications (including language competence)

Type of Job: Full time

Travel Required: Yes (10%)

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The Office of Capital & Forensic Writs is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability in employment or the provision of services. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, any request for reasonable accommodations needed during the application process should be communicated by the applicant to Joy Right, the Office of Capital & Forensic Writs Senior Accountant, at joy.right@ocfw.texas.gov

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