Paralegal II

Position Overview

The Paralegal II role at the Harris County Sheriff's Office supports the Legal Services Division, reporting directly to the assigned supervisor. This position is based at 1200 Baker Street, Houston, TX 77002, typically working Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., subject to change.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and prepare replies to open records and subpoena requests.
• Assist with employee disciplinary procedures by drafting necessary communications and tracking administrative appeals.
• Collaborate with the Harris County Attorney’s Office on discovery requests related to litigation cases.
• Draft and organize correspondence for the Grand Jury.
• Perform legal research to support case preparation.
• Maintain and update various Legal Services databases.
• Collect and analyze legal documents and records from different HCSO bureaus and divisions.
• Perform additional legal tasks as assigned by the supervisor to meet office needs.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Possession of an associate degree in paralegal studies or a certificate from a paralegal certification program is mandatory.
• A minimum of three years of experience as a paralegal is required.
• Familiarity or the ability to learn systems such as Harris County Justice Information Management System (JIMS), HCSO mugshot database, Excel, Access, GovQA, IAPro, Superion, SIRS, CAD, and legal research tools like LexisNexis or Westlaw is preferred.
• Knowledge of HCSO and Harris County policies and personnel procedures.
• Understanding of Texas Rules of Civil and Criminal Procedures, Texas Public Information Act (TPIA), and Texas Government Code.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, especially Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Strong communication skills, both written and oral, with the ability to clearly articulate messages.
• Highly organized, self-driven, and capable of handling confidential information professionally.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team, prioritize tasks, and interact effectively with coworkers, the public, and inmates.
• Willingness to work overtime and adjust hours as necessary.

Preferred Experience

Candidates with five years of paralegal experience, especially with subpoena handling, discovery requests, and open records management, will be prioritized.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

The role is primarily office-based, using standard office equipment such as computers, phones, copiers, and fax machines. Although mostly sedentary, the position may require lifting files or boxes weighing up to 10 pounds.

Additional Information

This job description is not exhaustive and duties may be reassigned at management's discretion. Harris County is committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, or other protected status. Positions may close early if enough applications are received.