The El Paso District Attorney’s Office is currently hiring both experienced and entry level attorneys.
We are seeking a public information attorney with experience handling public information request. The El Paso District Attorney’s Office offers competitive salaries and opportunities for advancement.
The salary for a Public Information Act Attorney is between $70,573.76 – $120,948.41, depending on experience.
Who we are:
The District Attorney’s Office of the 34th Judicial District (El Paso, Hudspeth, and Culberson counties) prosecutes cases in the fifth largest metropolitan area in Texas. According to the 2020 US Census, El Paso County, Texas had a population of 865,657. El Paso is located in a beautiful arid region with low humidity and an average of 297 days of sunshine every year. Despite having a low cost of living, El Paso offers the same entertainment opportunities as any other metropolitan area. Unlike many others, though, El Paso also offers tons of outdoor activities, including year round biking, hiking, and climbing, with snow ski slopes approximately 140 miles away in Ruidoso, New Mexico. El Paso has an international airport, a Triple-A Baseball Team known as the Chihuahuas, and a horse race track called Sunland Park Race Track and Casino. El Paso is also home to the nationally recognized University of Texas at El Paso. Which boasts over 23,000 students.
We are seeking attorneys who are focused on excellence, justice, and career development. Being on the U.S. side of the largest metropolis on any international border in world, our office offers a truly unique prosecutorial experience. We are dedicated to training entry level attorneys, but also to providing a fast track to the highest level of prosecution for those who are both enthusiastic and capable. The environment is extremely challenging; however, for those whose goal is to become one of the best and most well-rounded prosecutors in the country, this is the place for you!
Job Description (please refer to the El Paso County website for full details)
JOB OBJECTIVE: Processing the El Paso County District Attorney’s public information requests (PIRs), communicating with staff and requestors, and assisting in the final legal review of requests prior to release to the public to ensure compliance with all aspects of the Texas Public Information Act.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
- Serve as the initial point of contact to El Paso County District Attorney’s Public Information Division related to PIRs, handling internal and external communications, and providing customer service to requestors, and the public regarding the District Attorney’s policies and procedures.
- Coordinate the gathering of, preparing for release and tracking agency responses to, requests under the Texas Public Information Act (PIA).
- Collaborate with division and office staff to process PIRs and ensure thorough and complete responsive information is compiled in a timely manner.
- Prepare and provide timely, complete, and accurate cost estimates on PIRs to requestors in compliance with the PIA.
- Assist with the development, implementation, revision, and oversight of PIA policies, procedures, and forms related to the standardization of information release and maintenance of policy and procedure manuals related to PIRs.
- Refer PIRs to the Office of the Texas Attorney General (OAG) for determination on whether requested information is excepted from disclose under the PIA.
- Review and finalize PIR responses prior to release, including performing necessary redactions and formatting; ensuring complete and accurate responses to are provided in compliance with the PIA.
- Assist with the review of the PIR process, identity areas in need of change, and develop plans to either improve or initiate changes to address areas of concern.
- Assist in training the office staff on policies and procedures related to PIRs and complying with the PIA.
- Remain abreast of applicable laws, rules and policies related to open government laws, including PIA releases of public information.
- Maintain files in accordance with the Agency Records Management Policy. Identify and file legal documents either received or generated by the division staff and serve as the records retention coordinator.
Education and Experience:
The job position of Public Information Attorney requires both a J.D. from an accredited law school and a Texas Bar certification. It also requires a minimum of three (3) years of experience in answering public information requests and inquiries, or related experience.
Benefits:
El Paso County offers significant benefits, including multiple levels of comprehensive health care benefits –medical, dental and vision plans. It also maintains a pension plan through one of the best retirement systems in the country – i.e., the Texas District and County Retirement System. The generous pension program offers 2.5 times matching and by statute must grow by 7% each year. It offers life, long and short-term disability insurance, as well as health care reimbursement accounts and a 457 Deferred Compensation Plan. Subject to county commissioner approval each year, step increases and costs of living adjustments are frequently available and typically approved for the average attorney. The attorney pay scale can be found at https://www.epcounty.com/hr/compensation/documents/2023/Attorney_Pay_Scale.pdf. Employees receive sixteen holidays, as well as earn generous vacation and sick time.
When applying, please first call Yvette Ruiz, at (915) 546-2059, extension 2062. Please be prepared to provide a cover letter, your resume, and a county application.