Senior Legal Assistant

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.

Functional Title: Senior Legal Assistant 
Job Title: Legal Assistant IV 
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm 
Department: Chief Counsel 
Posting Number: 22319 
Closing Date: 10/26/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Legal 
Salary Range: $4,801.16 - $7,761.50 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-22 
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework: Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 10% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: AUSTIN 
Job Location Address: 4601 W GUADALUPE ST 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 4400,4421,4422,4430,270A,27D,5J0X1,LN,YN,YNS 
 
 
 

Brief Job Description:

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Office of Inspector General (OIG) seeks an experienced, innovative legal assistant with advanced litigation support skills to join the Chief Counsel Division. The Legal Assistant IV performs highly advanced (senior-level) paralegal work for attorneys in the Litigation section. The position provides substantive, procedural, analytical, and technical support to attorneys handling complex administrative enforcement actions, contested cases, sanctions matters, and related agency proceedings.

The work involves researching, analyzing, and investigating legal and factual issues; drafting and editing legal documents; coordinating discovery; utilizing eDiscovery systems; maintaining  case records; hearing preparation; and calendar management. Maintains responsibility for an active caseload.

May serve as team lead, train, and mentor legal staff.  Assists Chief Counsel leadership with various administrative matters.
Works under the limited supervision of the Chief Counsel Office Manager, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions:

Manages and prioritizes attorney caseloads. Schedules and coordinates meetings, depositions, hearings, interviews, and training events. Monitors and calendars deadlines. Organizes case files and maintains information in case management system. (20%)
Conducts investigatory and legal research. Reviews and analyzes case files, including investigation files and healthcare records. Researches and analyzes legal source. Prepares synopses and summaries of complex legal and factual issues. (20%) 
Drafts, edits, cite-checks,  formats, and finalizes legal documents. Prepares reports, spreadsheets, and presentations. Performs substantive proofreading for accuracy, clarity, grammar, punctuation, spelling, formatting, and consistency. Verifies that all facts, citations, quotations, and references are accurate and follow the correct citation style. Ensures that all documents are in proper form, in accordance with agency and legal formatting standards, and court or agency requirements. Provides professional work product within established timeframes. (15%)

Coordinates discovery, including the drafting, responding to, and calendaring of written discovery, subpoenas, and depositions. Utilizes eDiscovery platforms (currently Relativity aiR) and litigation support technology tools manage electronic records. Oversees incoming and outgoing productions. Assists with document review,  preparing privilege and production logs, redaction, Bates labeling, and preparing documents for production. (15%) 

Prepares attorneys for and attends internal and external meetings, witness interviews, depositions, and hearings. Communicates with providers, opposing counsel, agency and court personnel, and other stakeholders. Prepares summaries and meeting notes. Dockets cases and files legal documents with agencies and courts. Manages hearing and trial preparation activities. Coordinates witnesses. Prepares evidence, exhibits, affidavits, binders, and other documents.  (15%)

Assists Chief Counsel leadership with projects, to include but not be limited to participating in work groups and preparing statistical and operational reports. Develops litigation procedures, reference materials, and job aids. Utilizes advanced functions of  Word and Adobe Acrobat to develop forms, templates, and reports. Uses Microsoft Excel to organize, analyze, and present complex case data. Assists with the management of public information requests. (10%)

Performs related work as assigned. Keeps supervisor informed as required or as necessary. (5%)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of legal principles, practices, proceedings, and terminology.

Knowledge of Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, administrative hearing procedures, and electronic filing requirements.

Knowledge of health and human services programs, functions, and systems, including related local, state, and federal laws and regulations.

Knowledge of research methods and techniques

Knowledge of hearing and trial preparation processes and methods.

Knowledge of e-discovery processes and requirements. Experience using electronic discovery applications and tools, including, but not limited to Relativity

Skill in communicating professionally and effectively orally and in writing and in presenting information.Skill in advanced legal writing, editing, proofreading, and cite-checking.

Skill in conducting  legal research using resources including Westlaw, Lexis, PACER, agency and court case management systems, and legislative reference sources.

Skill in use of software including, but not limited to Microsoft 365  (Word, Excel, SharePoint, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams), OneDrive, Adobe Acrobat Pro, and database programs. Ability to develop templates and forms in Word and Adobe Acrobat.

Skill in using Excel for data analysis, pivot tables, and data visualization

Skill in the use of eDiscovery applications and tools, including but not limited to RelativityOne.

Skill in identifying problems, evaluating alternatives, and implementing solutions

Skill in collaborating and establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.

Ability to research, evaluate, and analyze facts from complex medical and legal documents. 

Ability to interpret and apply laws, rules, and regulations; to summarize findings; and to present conclusions.

Ability to create and maintain complex reports, spreadsheets and spreadsheets, utilizing Excel.

Ability to use office technology  including, but not limited to computers, printers, scanners, copiers; videoconferencing tools; and audio-visual presentation equipment 

Ability to organize work, prioritize time, and manage multiple deadlines.

Preferred:

Knowledge of health and human services programs, functions, and systems, including related local, state, and federal laws and regulations.

Knowledge of the Texas Administrative Code and the Texas Administrative Procedure Act

Skill in use of trial presentation software, including but not limited to Sanction, OnCue, Trial Director, ExhibitView, or similar technologies

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Paralegal certification or the equivalent is preferred.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university.

Fifteen years' full-time professional experience as a paralegal or legal assistant in a litigation environment.

Any one of these criteria could substitute for up to two years of college:

Completion of a paralegal training program

Two additional years of full-time professional experience as a paralegal or legal assistant in a litigation environment.

Additional Information:

The OIG is responsible for preventing, detecting, auditing, inspecting, reviewing, and investigating fraud, waste, and abuse in the provision of HHS in Medicaid and other HHS programs. Potential employees of OIG are subject to criminal background checks in accordance with the HHS Human Resources policy. Selected applicants must complete a national fingerprint-based criminal background check through the Texas Department of Public Safety (TDPS) and Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) to determine if they have criminal history record information that constitutes a bar to employment.

OIG will request that all applicants considered for an interview provide responses to essay questions. Failure to respond to the request could disqualify an applicant from the interview process. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds. The offered salary will be determined in accordance with budgetary limits and the requirements of HHSC Human Resources Manual.

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Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:

Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form

Telework Disclaimer:

This position may be eligible for telework.  Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs.