The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) works to build on strengths of families and communities to keep children and vulnerable adults safe, so they thrive. We do this through investigations, services, and referrals.
What You Get Beyond Your Paycheck
When you join the State of Texas, your monthly paycheck is just one part of your real income. Our benefits provide extra value that many private employers simply don't match-often adding hundreds of dollars each month to what you take home or save.
Here's what you get as a full-time employee:
- 100% paid health insurance for you, and 50% paid for eligible family members-saving you hundreds every month in out-of-pocket medical costs
- Retirement plans with lifetime monthly payments after five years of state service, plus options to save even more with 401(k) and 457 plans
- Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave so you can recharge and take care of life outside work (that's time off you're actually paid for)
- Optional dental, vision, and life insurance-at rates much lower than most private plans
- Flexible spending accounts for added tax savings on health and dependent care
- Employee discounts on things like gym memberships, electronics, and entertainment
You also might qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, which could help you pay off federal student loans faster.
You can see all the details here: ERS recruitment brochure
Functional Title: Legal Assistant II
Job Title: Legal Assistant II
Agency: Dept of Family & Protectve Svc
Department: Regional Litigation - CPS DD
Posting Number: 18783
Closing Date: 10/07/2026
Posting Audience: Internal and External
Occupational Category: Legal
Salary Range: $3,793.41- $5,921.25
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-18
Shift: Day
Additional Shift: Telework: Not Eligible for Telework
Travel: Up to 30%
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full Time/Part Time: Full time
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt
Facility Location: Job Location City: HOUSTON
Job Location Address: 5425 POLK ST
Other Locations: MOS Codes: 4400,4421,4422,4430,270A,27D,5J0X1,LN,YN,YNS
Job Description:
The legal assistant shall be responsible for facilitating and expediting Child
Protective Service abuse and neglect cases within the parameters of policy guidelines of the Texas Family Code and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. The position performs complex legal assistant work, including researching, analyzing, investigating, and drafting legal documents under the supervision of Department attorneys and county and district attorneys representing the Department.
Essential Job Functions:
Performs legal work related to the prosecution of child and elder abuse cases. Prepares, develops, reviews and edits petitions, motions, orders service, subpoenas, inquiries, discovery, and files documents with the district clerk's office as needed. Handles and prepares correspondence and memoranda. Schedules, attends and prepares cases and witnesses for hearings, trials, staffings, interviews, depositions and docket calls. Coordinates, develops and updated responses to discovery requests. Verifies service of process. Assists in negotiating court orders. Informs Departmental personnel of case status, decisions, and scheduling. Routinely interacts with Department attorneys, district and county attorneys, judges, ad litems, caseworkers and Departmental administrators and performs other work as assigned.
Registrations, Licensure Requirements, or Certifications:
N/A
Knowledge Skills Abilities:
Knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and related computer software. Knowledge of spelling, punctuation, grammar, and the ability
to adapt to the use of other materials as necessary.
Initial Screening Criteria:
Graduation from high school or equivalent. Two years of full-time paralegal, legal assistant, legal secretarial or Departmental experience. Ninety hours from an accredited college or university may be substituted for the required experience.
Preferred Criteria - Experience with Word, Outlook, and Excel preferred. Education beyond high school is preferred. Prior legal assistant and or legal secretary experience is preferred.
Additional information:
N/A
Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.
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. You may also contact the DFPS Military Liaison at dfpsmilvets@dfps.texas.gov with additional questions.
Applicants selected for hire must pass a background check and if applicable a driver's record check.
State of Texas employees are required to maintain the security and integrity of critical infrastructure as defined in Section 117.001(2), State of Texas Business and Commerce Code. Applicants selected for hire comply with this code by completing related training and abiding by agency cybersecurity and communications system usage policies.
As a state agency, DFPS is required by Texas Administrative Code (TAC 206 and 213) to ensure all Electronic Information Resources (EIR) follow accessibility standards. The staff must be familiar with the WCAG 2.1 AA and Section 508 to create accessible content including but not limited to; Microsoft Office documents, Adobe PDFs, webpages, software, training guides, video, and audio files.
DFPS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Employees must provide documentation to DFPS to show their identity and authorization to work in the US. Please review the following link for authorized documents: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents .
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS/DFPS 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/DFPS 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.
