Paralegal Hospital District Division

General Summary:

The Harris County Attorneys Office (HCAO) seeks a paralegal to join the Hospital District Division which serves as in-house counsel for the Harris County Hospital District d/b/a Harris Health (Harris Health or the Client) assisting with employment health care liability and general litigation in state and federal courts as well as transactional matters and office support. Must have knowledge of civil litigation and both Texas and Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

Key Values:

• Teamwork
  • Establishes strong working relationships within and outside the division.
  • Addresses conflicts diplomatically and constructively.
  • Accepts supervision and constructive criticism.
  • Maintains reliable attendance and punctuality.
  • Manages workplace stress effectively.
• Ethical Standards
  • Upholds high professional and ethical standards.
  • Adheres to rules of professional conduct.
  • Acts with honesty and integrity.
• Action Oriented
  • Self-starter capable of independent work.
  • Efficiently organizes and prioritizes multiple projects.
  • Proactively seeks new responsibilities.
  • Consistently meets deadlines.
• Measurable Improvement
  • Seeks improved methods to increase efficiency.
  • Sets goals and works to achieve them.
  • Engages in continuous self-development.
• Service to All According to Law
  • Recognizes public service as a high calling.
  • Understands that our Office serves the people of Harris County by and through their elected representatives.
  • Communicates professionally with internal and external stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Maintain litigation case files claim files and EEOC charges (paper & electronic).

• File pleadings and motions electronically in State Federal and Appellate Courts.

• Calendar hearings and docket control deadlines.

• Draft pleadings discovery legal forms and correspondence.

• Organize case notebooks for hearings depositions and trial.

• Draft timelines for cases and claims.

• Investigate claims and gather required documents from client representatives.

• Draft settlement agreements.

• Schedule witness meetings.

• Order employment record related to EEOC Claims and TWC.

• Maintain litigation and claims databases.

• Assign and manage contracts using Harris Healths procurement system (PeopleSoft).

• Draft review and edit a wide variety of contracts.

• Monitor status of contracts and generate reports.

• Collaborate with Harris Health Departments and Harris County Purchasing.

• Receive and distribute subpoenas.

• Prepare reports for the Board of Trustees end-of-year summaries and audit documentation.

• Serve as Contract Monitoring Officer using Harris Healths procurement system (PeopleSoft) and work with Finance and Accounts Payable.

• Order office supplies in PeopleSoft.

• Assist with Texas Public Information Act requests.

• Assist the AmCom On-Call after hours Attorney scheduling.

• Perform administrative support duties (scheduling phones library maintenance).

Other Duties:

• This Job Description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Management may at its discretion assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Supporting Job Application Documents:

• Applicants should provide a cover letter resume andthree (3) professional references with their application.

Education and Certification Requirements:

• Associates Degree in Paralegal Studiesfrom and accredited college or university.

OR

• Paralegal Certificate.

OR

• Bachelors Degree in related fieldfrom and accredited college or university.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Texas Federal and Appellate Rules of Civil Procedure and Evidence.

• Legal citation formats (Texas Greenbook and Bluebook).

• Microsoft Word Excel Access PowerPoint Outlook (intermediate to expert).

• Microsoft Copilot proficiency including prompt crafting document summarization data extraction and workflow optimization.

• Adobe Acrobat X Pro (redaction Bates stamping etc.).

• PACER CITRIX PeopleSoft.

• Westlaw legal research.

• Paralegal experience preferred.

Located in downtown Houston the Harris County Attorneys Office represents Harris County government the Harris County Flood Control District the Harris County Toll Road Authority and the Greater Harris County 9-1-1 Emergency Network in all civil matters including lawsuits. The office also provides legal advice to county officials and employees.

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

• This is a full-time position working in the administrative offices of the Client in Bellaire Texas.
• Days and hours of work are typically Monday through Friday 8:00 AM 5:00 PM with occasional weekends and holidays as necessary.
• Hours may vary based on the business needs of the HCAO and Client.

• This job typically operates in a professional office environment and the individual in this role uses standard office equipment such as computers printers scanners/copiers and phones.
• This is largely a sedentary role that requires standing or sitting for prolonged periods exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift carry push pull or otherwise move objects including the human body repetitive motions requiring dexterity such as keyboarding that may include the wrists hands and/or fingers communicating with others to exchange concepts and information problem-solving decision-making organization the ability to read/write and the ability to manage workplace stressors such as adversarial interactions.

• The base compensation for this position will be determined on the candidates qualifications and the pay of other employees in the job function. Total compensation includes attractive paid leave programs health benefits and retirement plans.
• In addition the position is eligible for the accrual of compensatory time off for hours worked over 40 in a workweek consistent with Harris County personnel policies and procedures.