THECB - Legal Assistant IV

The agency is located at the George Herbert Walker Bush State Building located in the Capitol Complex at 1801 N. Congress Ave. Austin, TX 78701.

This position will support all functions of the Office of General Counsel including rule making, student complaints, Public Information Act requests, and general administrative support for team members.

Performs complex legal assistant and program assistance work related to student support services, APA rule making, and general administrative projects. Primary duties may include: receiving and responding to student complaints, serving as backup liaison to the Texas Register, and supporting the Public Information Coordinator. Work involves responding to student complaints, Public Information Act requests, and communicating with the Texas Register, as well as receiving, reviewing, revising, and tracking agency rules throughout the rule making process.

Work is performed under general supervision with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment under the direction of the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel. The ideal candidate will have excellent attention to detail, the willingness to learn new skills, and a passion to further the mission of higher education.

• Reviews legal documents for accuracy and completeness; edits written material for grammar, organization, and spelling; and provides other general administrative support.
• Assists in managing the agency’s student complaint procedures to comply with the U.S. Department of Education’s “Program Integrity” regulations.
• Research Public Information Act requests and may coordinate and draft responses for legal review.
• Provides research assistance related to legislative decisions, Attorney General Opinions, and opinions from the Texas Ethics Commission.
• Assists with researching, examining, and reviewing the accuracy of legal sources such as statutes, case law, administrative records, and applicable rules and regulations.
• Assists with the preparation and review of contracts, pleadings, motions, briefs, opinions, position statements, proposed legislation, and other legal memoranda.
• Assists with the preparation of petitions, summary judgment motions, discovery responses, and other applicable documents.
• Assists with the investigation of matters relating to student complaints; and may coordinate and organize agency responses.
• Assists the Office of General Counsel in providing legal advice, counsel, and assistance to staff.
• Assists with the coordination of meetings and trainings, and the maintenance of CLE (Continuing Legal Education) registrations.
• Assists and coordinates procurement and contract development tasks.
• May communicate with agency staff, members of the public, other state agencies, and post-secondary institutions concerning legal issues.
• May train others.
• Performs related work as assigned.

• Knowledge of office practices, administrative procedures, and customer service principles and practices.
• Knowledge of administrative, state contract, and commercial laws.
• Knowledge of document management systems.
• Ability to work successfully in both a small team environment and in a self-paced environment.
• Knowledge of litigation processes, and of legal principles, practice, and proceedings.
• Ability to research and accurately interpret and consistently apply policies and procedures.
• Ability to understand and appropriately interpret and apply state and federal laws, rules, regulations and procedures affecting student complaints and residency.
• Ability to communicate information in a clear, organized, and concise way.
• Ability to successfully manage multiple projects, tasks, and priorities.
• Ability to work under pressure, and successfully meet objectives and deadlines.
• Superb attention to detail.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships both internally and externally.
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing.
• Ability to meet periodic milestones and final deadlines.
• Ability to maintain attorney-client privilege and confidentiality of records required by law.
• Skill in legal…