Overview
Legal Assistant/Paralegal Jobs in Vienna, VA at Smksoft
TDA – F&N Legal Assistant (59405) (00049956)
Organization: DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Primary Location: Texas-Austin
Work Locations: SFA OFFICES AUSTIN – 11 FLOOR 1700 N. Congress Ste 1100 Austin 78701
Job: Office and Administrative Support
Employee Status: Regular
Schedule: Full-time
Standard Hours Per Week: 40.00
Travel: Yes, 5 % of the Time
State Job Code: 3574
Salary Admin Plan: B
Grade: 18
Salary (Pay Basis): 4,150.00 – 4,150.00 (Monthly)
Number of Openings: 1
Overtime Status: Non-exempt
Job Posting: May 15, 2025, 2:10:33 PM
Closing Date: May 22, 2025, 11:59:00 PM
Description
F&N LEGAL ASSISTANT
Salary Information: B18, $4,150.00 / MO.
State Classification: 3574 – Legal Assistant II
FLSA Status: Exempt
Posting Number: 25-59405-1
Location: Austin, TX
Telework Option: TDA does not offer telework and all employees are required to be physically present for work.
HOW TO APPLY
Apply online via CAPPS. Applicants applying in WIT must complete the supplemental questions to be considered for the position. To complete the supplemental questions, go to CAPPS Recruit.
WHO ARE WE
The Texas Department of Agriculture’s Legal Services Division Food and Nutrition Section provides legal counsel to the Food and Nutrition Division, including representing the agency in administrative hearings arising from the child nutrition programs administered by TDA .
WHAT YOU’LL DO
The F&N Legal Assistant will perform complex legal assistant work for the Legal Services Division of the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) in support of attorneys assigned to TDA’s Food and Nutrition Division (F&N). You will assist with researching, analyzing, investigating, and drafting legal documents; assist attorneys with case management; and provide legal support in the areas of contracts and grants and special projects. You will work under general supervision with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Draft, prepare, review, and edit pleadings, motions, briefs, legal correspondence, requests for production and information, and other legal documents.
Assist with assembling and preparing evidence, exhibits, affidavits, and documents for use in legal proceedings.
Conduct file preparation and organization, both paper and electronic, including preparation of hearings files, exhibits, witness lists and exhibit lists including copying and scanning sometimes voluminous amounts of records. Review and redact confidential documents for filing with various courts or hearings offices.
Facilitate timely and accurate document production and responses to inquiries from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) and other investigative authorities.
Calculate, calendar, and monitor legal deadlines and assist F&N legal staff by ensuring the deadlines are met; schedule case interview or preparation meetings.
Develop a working knowledge of the statutes, regulations and guidance pertaining to the various federal nutrition programs administered by TDA and federal and state procurement standards.
Act as liaison with F&N staff to research and obtain documents and information necessary for hearings.
Assist the Deputy General Counsel and F&N attorneys with records management, including scanning records into and extracting records from TDA’s Document Scanning System (DSS). Ensure official records of F&N appeals and referral records are uploaded into DSS completely and correctly.
Follow all TDA policies and procedures.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POSITION
Associate’s degree (one year of work experience related to the primary responsibilities may substitute for one year of college).
Work experience as a paralegal or legal assistant.
Substitution: Bachelor’s degree with major coursework in law or a related field or course study for Legal Assistants/Paralegals approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) or the American Association for Paralegal Education or completion of a program in paralegal studies may substitute for associates degree and required experience.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Graduation with major coursework in law or a related field or from a course study for Legal Assistants/Paralegals approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) or the American Association for Paralegal Education.
Work experience creating and maintaining electronic file systems.
Work experience using the Centralized Accounting and Payroll/Personnel System (CAPPS) system and/or SharePoint.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
Knowledge of legal terminology; state and federal laws, rules, and regulations; of research methods and techniques; of administrative and court procedures; of the legislative process; and of public notice requirements.
Skill in understanding and processing information; in the use of office equipment; and in the use of a computer and applicable software.
Ability to conduct research; to draft, prepare, and interpret legal documents; to evaluate and relate findings to cases in question; to conduct investigations; and to communicate effectively, orally and in writing; to exercise sound judgment and discretion; and to maintain the highest level of confidentiality.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS
Normal office work environment and may have exposure to dust and environmental allergens consistent with normal business activities and human contact. Mostly sedentary in nature but may involve walking; standing; pulling and pushing; kneeling, stooping, and bending; performing tasks requiring fine motor skills and coordination; and safely lifting and carrying items weighing up to 30 pounds. Must be able to work extended periods at a computer and may require working extended hours and some evenings and weekends, as needed. May involve travel, occasionally overnight (up to 5%).
TELEWORK & WORK HOURS
The agency does not offer telework. TDA employees are required to be physically present for work.
The agency’s core business hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. TDA also provides limited customer service between 6:00-8:00 a.m. and 5:00-6:00 p.m.
H-1B Visa Sponsorship
We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.
BENEFITS
The State of Texas offers a variety of benefits for you and your family that are comprehensive and, on average, make up about one-third of total compensation. Benefits include:
ü Retirement Plan
ü Paid Group Health & Life Insurance for employees
ü Paid Holidays
ü Paid Vacation Leave
ü Paid Sick Leave
ü Longevity Pay
ü Dental
ü Vision
ü Dependent Optional Life Insurance
ü Voluntary AD&D Insurance
ü Dependent Health & Life Insurance
ü Health & Dependent care flexible spending accounts
Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. A skills exercise may be conducted at the time of the interview.
Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls. If you submitted your application through the CAPPS Career Center, you may also check the status of your application by accessing your profile and selecting My Jobpage and selecting My Submissions.
A valid government-issued driver’s license, which is recognized by the Texas Department of Public Safety and in good standing, and an acceptable driving record are required. TDA will verify this information with the Texas Department of Public Safety. Applicants with a driver’s license not issued by the State of Texas should obtain and be prepared to provide a copy of their current driving record on or before their first day
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO): TDA is an equal employment opportunity (EEO) employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, military status, or protected activity. TDA provides accommodations for persons with disabilities in accordance with the American with Disabilities Act. If you need help with the employment process or require other accommodations, please contact the Human Resources office for assistance at (512) 463-7423.
TDA participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security, with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.
Military and Former Foster Child Employment Preference: TDA complies with the provisions of the veterans and former foster child employment preference acts. Please contact our Human Resources-Veterans Liaison at (512) 463-7454 for assistance.
Go to https://texasskillstowork.com/, https://www.onetonline.org/, or http://www.careeronestop.org/ for assistance translating your military experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications/requirements, and skill sets.
Additional Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Code or Crosswalk information is available from the Texas State Auditor’s Office at MOS Legal Codes.
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Title: Legal Assistant/Paralegal
Company: Smksoft
Location: Vienna, VA
