Paralegal II Texas Public Information Act (TPIA)

Basic Function

The Paralegal II (TPIA) assists the Sr. Paralegal, Public Information Officer with the processing of Texas Public Information Act (TPIA) and Subpoena (SDT) requests.  Provides support in a fast-paced work environment with multiple daily deadlines.  Provides assistance to the General Counsel as needed. Must be able to maintain strict confidentiality and discretion in all aspects of client representation.  Performs duties in a safe, efficient manner and in compliance with applicable rules and safety procedures.

Responsibilities and Specific Duties

• Reviews correspondence received via US Mail, hand delivery, fax and email daily for new TPIA and Subpoena requests; calculates deadlines and prepares requests for further handling by appropriate departments.
• Calendar and prioritize tasks to efficiently meet statutory and internal deadlines.
• Must effectively manage and track work, including developing a systematic approach to completing tasks, meeting deadlines, and collaborating with others to accomplish specific tasks, goals and objectives, with minimal guidance from management.  
• Provides notice of receipt of new TPIA requests to the Board Chair, President & CEO, Deputy CEO, General Counsel, Press Office and departments.
• Creates and maintains TPIA and Subpoena files in compliance with METRO Records Management Program.
• Communicates both verbally and written as required to process requests.
• Collects and compiles responsive documentation from the appropriate departments.
• Reviews and redacts responsive documents in compliance with the TPIA.
• Drafts correspondence to requestors with responsive documentation for immediate release or based on Attorney General's Opinions.
• Drafts notices, correspondence, affidavits and invoices related to TPIA/SDT requests.
• Assists with exhibits to Briefs to be filed with the Attorney General’s office and assists with filing and mail-out.
• Reviews Attorney General Opinions, calculates deadlines and scans documents to electronic files.
• Updates and maintains department tracking management system, including relevant spreadsheets and prepares periodic reports to General Counsel.
• Processes completed files for closing and archiving and prepares reports to comply with METRO’s Records Retention guidelines.
• Processes incoming and outgoing mail, fax and email communications and assists with copying and scanning.
• Conducts research on Attorney General Opinions and previous TPIA requests.
• Performs legal research and special projects as assigned by the General Counsel.
• Provides excellent customer service to METRO internal and external customers.
• Applies SMS (Safety Management System) methods and principles in daily routine and supports all aspects of the agency’s Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP).
• Promotes safety awareness and follows safety procedures to reduce or eliminate accidents.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Education Requirement

High school diploma or GED is required.  Bachelor’s degree is preferred.
 

Years & Experience Required

Minimum seven (7) years of experience as a paralegal including experience in government compliance litigation support, legal research and writing.  At least two (2) years’ experience with the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA) is required.
 

Knowledge & Skills Required

Successful completion of Paralegal certification is required.  Working knowledge of the Texas Public Information Act is preferred.  Ability to clearly express information both verbally and written to various recipients inside and outside of the Authority, as well as build cooperative relationships with others by using appropriate interpersonal styles and methods.  Proficiency in Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.  Working knowledge in Westlaw for legal research.

Additional Information

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas has a zero-tolerance drug and alcohol policy for all employees. All internal and external applicants will be required to undergo drug testing before employment and will be subject to further drug and/or alcohol testing throughout their employment.

Further, employees who perform safety-sensitive functions will submit to drug and/or alcohol testing in accordance to the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulatory requirements.

We provide equal opportunity to all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, veteran status, genetic information or disability.