Discuss, consider and take appropriate action regarding the hiring of a candidate for PCN 0031 in the County Attorney’s office.

County Attorney is requesting a salary increase for PCN 0031 in order to hire a qualified applicant for the Family Justice Legal Assistant.
This position is graded a B.20 and the current budgeted salary for this position is $47,795.85.
This position was at one time secretarial in nature but has been developed over time to meet the growing complexity and highly sensitive nature of the County’s Child Welfare cases, which address the risk to our children; our most vulnerable citizens.  This requires a highly professional and skilled advocate in this position.   The workload and subject matter of this position is very demanding and fast paced.  An appropriate candidate must possess the ability to handle sensitive information, stressful subject matter, and make independent decisions when needed.
Working knowledge of Child Welfare laws and procedures.
Experienced supervisory skills.
Provides confidential high level support to the Family Justice Attorney’s and Texas Department of Family and Protective Services(TDFPS).
Drafts petitions, motions, orders and other legal documents in all TDFPS cases.
Responsible for records management and filing, including e-filing with the courts and the office’s electronic case management system.
Assists with preparation of discovery, subpoenas, briefs and other time sensitive legal documents.
Responsible for setting hearing dates, mediation dates and other settings as well as sending out notices of court hearings and arranging mediations.
Ability to handle complex civil litigation matters that involve multiple legal issues, multiple opposing parties, and multiple children.
Ability to deal with sensitive, emotional and stressful subject matters.
Attends court hearings to support Family Justice attorneys and to prepare all legal documents required during those hearings.
Works closely with outside agencies, including TDFPS, defense attorneys, CASA, CAC, The Office of the Attorney General, as well as inter-office departments such as the criminal divisions of the County and District Attorney’s offices, Clerks’ offices, court staff and other office staff.
Responsible for the management of docket calendars including but not limited to the entry of hearings, mediations, discovery deadlines, filing deadlines, and all other matters within the Family Justice division.
Responsible for regular updates to the Family Justice Attorneys for status of cases, deadlines and all other upcoming matters related to the Family Justice cases.
Requires knowledge and research skills of the Texas Family code and court procedural rules.
Compiles, organizes and makes available legal discovery.
Coordinates and communicates with witnesses for appearances for hearings and mediations.
Current county policy sets the maximum salary at 15% above the grade minimum.  We are requesting that in this case we be allowed to offer a qualified candidate at $47,794.85 due to the need for a highly skilled professional advocate for this position.
This position is scheduled to be reviewed by HR next year for appropriate grade, we believe that the minimum of Grade 20 is not adequate to attract qualified applicants for this position along with the 15% maximum rule.