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: CPS Legal Secretary III 
Job Title: CPS Legal Secretary III 
Agency: Dept of Family & Protectve Svc 
Department: Region 6B CPS Dir Del - CVS 
Posting Number: 22136 
Closing Date: 10/21/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Protective Services 
Salary Range: $3,581.33 - $5,372.41 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-A-17 
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework: Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 20% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: GALVESTON 
Job Location Address: 123 ROSENBERG AVE 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 4400,4421,4422,4430,250X,270A,27D,5J0X1,LN,YN,YNS 
 
 
 

Brief Job Description:

Performs complex (journey-level) legal secretarial work involving providing legal and administrative support and maintaining communication with clients, attorneys, agencies, and the general public.  Works under general supervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Employees at this level may work more independently than the previous levels, and may routinely assist other staff in performing job duties of greater complexity. Employees at this level may organize trial and hearing materials.

Essential Job Functions:

• Organizes, indexes, and files legal and administrative documents.
• Reviews and processes mail for legal staff and schedules, maintains, and updates appointment calendars detailing events.
• Answers the phone, providing general information or routing calls as appropriate.
• Participates in recording hearing activities.
• Performs related work as assigned.

The position receives, logs, routes, requests and tracks various types of information to help facilitate the movement of legal cases to closure. This includes but is not limited to:

• Case related information
• Mail
• Data Reports or information for internal/external stakeholders
• Updating the legal unit database
• Checking for and processing incoming faxes
• Other requests as necessary

 The position demonstrates good communication skills and is responsible for:

• Answering and routing phone calls including managing questions/complaints in a professional manner
• Preparing, editing and distributing correspondence, reports, forms and documents as assigned
• Ensures that all correspondence is sent out in accordance with the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure and meets the courts requirements for appropriate notice (certified mail/e-mail/fax)
• Facilitating the notification to caseworkers of documents that are due to the courts

There are various timeliness standards related to CPS legal cases. The secretary is aware of those standards and routinely helps meet them through personal observation, staffings and feedback from fellow unit members.

• Produces information request information/reports timely
• Ensures federally mandated timeframes for statutory hearings are met
• Completes assigned tasks within allotted time frames
• Manages multiple assignments at the same time and able to properly prioritize their completion

Secretary's knowledge and work demonstrates an understanding and application of policy and best practice.

• Able to provide correct information when needed
• Anticipates needed actions and able to act on them without direction
• Is a resource to managers and staff

Knowledge, Skill, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of legal practices and terminology; and of spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, and grammar.
• Skill in the use of a computer and office equipment and reference materials.
• Ability to prepare legal correspondence and documents, to take and transcribe dictation, and to maintain files and records.
• Ability to interpret rules, regulations, policies, and procedures; and to communicate effectively.
• Secretary possesses the skills and knowledge to utilize technology provided by the agency, when appropriate, to maximize efficiency and effectiveness of the program.
• Able to utilize Outlook Calendar to set appointments and invites
• Use the scheduler to book conferences rooms for meetings.
• Ability to use Microsoft Word, Excel, SharePoint and Outlook to track information
• Skilled in the use of IMPACT including data entry and navigating the system

License, Registration, or Certification:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

Experience in administrative support or legal secretarial work. Graduation from a standard senior high school or equivalent is generally preferred. Experience and education may be substituted for one another.

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.