Legal Assistant V

Texas Education Agency; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Texas Education Agency in Austin seeks a Legal Assistant V to support the Hearings and Appeals section within the Office of the General Counsel. You will manage case dockets, assign hearing examiners, and coordinate data tracking related to educator contract hearings under Texas Education Code.

This role requires up to 5% travel, flexible work location within Texas, and a focus on confidentiality, accuracy, and customer service as you work with internal teams and external parties to keep

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university.
• At least five years of experience in legal assistance or related work.
• Experience in hearings, administrative law, or litigation is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Supports the Hearings and Appeals Team, maintains the docket and handles deadlines.
• Assigns Independent Hearing Examiners and tracks deadlines.
• Manages records, redacts documents, and maintains filing systems.
• Maintains and updates the Hearings and Appeals webpage with decisions.
• Assists with project management and legal review tickets; supports attorneys.

Skills

Docket management

Legal research

Communication

Confidentiality

Customer service

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Office software

Records management systems

Job description

Agency Information

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) oversees primary and secondary public education in Texas and is committed to improving outcomes for all public school students by providing leadership, guidance, and support to school systems across the state.

Core Values

• We are Determined: We are committed and intentional in pursuing our primary purpose of improving outcomes for students.
• We are People-Centered: We strive to attract, develop, and retain committed talent that reflects the diversity of Texas, with each individual contributing to our shared vision for students.
• We are Learners: We seek evidence, reflect on outcomes, and continuously improve in pursuit of excellence for students.
• We are Servant Leaders: We are public servants committed to improving opportunities for students and supporting those who serve them.

Job Description

This is a Legal Assistant V position for a variety of case management tasks for the hearing and appeals section in the Agency's Office of the General Counsel. This position is an individual contributor who reports to the Deputy Director of Hearings and Appeals. This position has primary responsibility for tracking data for appeals and maintaining the Agency's appeals webpage. The position receives the Agency's requests for and promptly assigns independent hearing examiners to educator contract hearings under Texas Education Code Chapter 21, Subchapter F.

This position requires up to 5% travel, based on business needs, to support program initiatives, collaboration, and operational priorities.

Flexible work location within the state of Texas may be considered for qualified candidates.

Essential Functions

Job duties are not limited to the essential functions mentioned below. You may perform other functions as assigned.

• 1 - Supports the Hearings and Appeals Team: Supports a team of four Administrative Law Judges and maintains the hearings and appeals docket. Screens all incoming appeals with TEA and ensures that appeals are properly docketed and that deadlines are promptly and accurately calculated and calendared. Corresponds with parties; cite checks documents; prepares certified hearing records; regularly updates internal accounting and metrics data; and performs other tasks as needed to assist the hearings and appeals section.
• 2 - Assists with Independent Hearing Examiners: Timely assigns Independent Hearing Examiners (IHEs) to conduct local evidentiary hearings under Texas Education Code Chapter 21, Subchapter F in response to parties requests for evidentiary hearings. Tracks IHE recommendation deadlines and receives and receives the Agency's copies of hearing documents. Works with IHEs on certification and renewal. Assists the hearings team in conducting an annual IHE training course.
• 3 - Performs Record Management Duties: Serves as the custodian of records management for records related to appeals and IHE proceedings and receives and redacts documents to ensure compliance with confidentiality requirements. Maintains hearings records, prepares files for archiving according to the agency records retention schedule, and certifies hearing records for use on appeal as necessary. Tracks internal metrics. Develops and maintains record keeping and filing systems.
• 4 - Prepares and Maintains Agency Data for External Use: Oversees and maintains the Hearings and Appeals webpage by, e.g., updating local and Commissioner decisions monthly and publishing other relevant matters.
• 5 - Coordinates and Organizes Internal Projects: Oversees/coordinates the use of project management methodologies to assist attorneys with tracking and analyzing project deliverables. Receives and coordinates Office of General Counsel Legal Review Tickets (reviews & assigns tickets, responds to tickets as needed; creates dashboards & reports, responds to inquiries regarding system, etc. Works with the legal divisions office manager to support the legal division.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university

Experience: At least five years of experience in legal assistance or other relevant experience

Substitutions: Each additional year of related experience above the required minimum may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis

Other Qualifications

• Share the belief that all Texas students can achieve at high levels and are able to succeed in college, career, or the military
• Experience in the areas of hearings, administrative law, and/or litigation, including as a docket clerk, highly preferred
• The following experience is helpful: experience with providing responses under the Texas Public Information Act, FERPA, or similar statutes; and experience with state government and/or independent school districts
• Knowledge of legal principles, practices, and proceedings and of laws, regulations, and rules relating to the Agency
• Knowledge of legal terminology and administrative or court procedures
• Skill in processing information and in using office equipment and computer systems
• Knowledge of standard office protocols, state and federal law related to open records and protection of confidential student data (such as FERPA), and the Texas Public Information Act
• A strong customer-service mindset with a focus on engaging both internal and external parties
• Ability to independently plan and organize work, to communicate effectively, to work effectively under short deadlines; and to communicate effectively with team members

New hires, rehires, and internal hires will typically receive a starting salary between the posted minimum and the average pay of employees within the same classification. Offers are based on the candidate's experience and qualifications and consider internal pay equity across employees performing similar work.

The top half of the posted salary range is generally reserved for candidates whose qualifications exceed the role's requirements. The maximum of the range is typically reserved for candidates who significantly exceed the required and preferred qualifications.

Benefits

TEA employees receive a comprehensive benefits package through the State of Texas and the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS), supporting health, financial security, and work-life balance.

Benefits include:

• Retirement through ERS and employer-paid health insurance for eligible employees
• Optional dental, vision, and dependent coverage
• Paid state holidays, vacation leave, sick leave, and longevity pay
• Wellness programs, employee assistance programs, and professional development opportunities
• Eligibility for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program

To learn more about benefits available to State of Texas employees, please review the State of Texas Employee Benefits brochure and visit the TEA Compensation and Benefits page.

Military/Veteran Information

Applicants eligible for Military Employment Preference will be considered in accordance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations.

To explore how military experience may align with this role, applicants may review Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes within the State's Position Classification Plan. Please refer to the Military Crosswalk and select the occupational category that most closely corresponds with the classification listed in this job posting.

Additional Information

TEA is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal and state nondiscrimination laws. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or veteran status.

TEA does not sponsor or assume sponsorship of employment visas.

This position requires the applicant to meet Agency standards and criteria which may include passing a pre-employment criminal background check, prior to being offered employment by the Agency.

To learn more about working at TEA, including hiring timelines, process details, and candidate resources, please visit the Careers at TEA page.

Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to accept phone calls or respond to all email inquiries. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

To help ensure you receive updates regarding your application, please add [e-mail] and @tea.texas.gov to your safe sender's list.