PARALEGAL SPECIALIST OPS - 60908245

Requisition No: 841626 

Agency: Children and Families

Working Title: PARALEGAL SPECIALIST OPS - 60908245

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 60908245 

Salary:  $17.79 per hour 

Posting Closing Date: 12/20/2024 

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Florida Department of Children & Families - Children’s Legal Services Program

We are seeking a highly motivated and energetic individual to work in our Children's Legal Services Division, a premier statewide law firm. This is an excellent opportunity to work among an elite group of dedicated legal child advocates to ensure justice for the children of Florida.

Description: This is work assisting lawyers in the Children’s Legal Services program by preparing legal documents, scheduling court events, filing and serving legal documents, and preparing discovery.  The work is challenging but incredibly rewarding.

Location: Lee County. Applicants interested in working in counties/cities other than Lee County will need to apply for positions advertised for those specific areas on the People First System.

Hourly Salary: $17.79 per hour; 30 hours per week (part-time). Internal salary appointments are determined according to DCF Salary policy.

Job Responsibilities/Examples of Work May Include: 

• Preparing legal documents;
• Coordinating service of process;
• Maintaining case files;
• Maintaining court calendars;
• Maintaining litigation timetables;
• Filing pleadings and other legal documents with the clerk of court;
• Performing legal research for attorneys, subject to supervision;
• Coordinating inter-agency and intra-agency legal functions;
• Performing notary functions;
• Attending hearings to assist counsel;
• Assisting witnesses with court proceedings; and
• Entering data timely and accurately into statewide databases.

Minimum Requirements: 

• Completion of a training program to become a legal assistant, a paralegal, a legal paraprofessional or a lawyer's or attorney's assistant; or
• A degree or certificate in legal technology, legal administration, legal studies or allied legal services; or
• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in allied legal services; or
• Two years of experience involving paralegal work; or
• Two years of experience in legal secretarial work.

Preferred candidates must possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Knowledge of legal terminology and legal processes;
• Knowledge of correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar usage;
• Good writing and organizational skills;

• Ability to comprehend and interpret information;
• Ability to communicate and record information accurately;
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions;
• Ability to work well within a team atmosphere and independently;
• Ability to multitask and meet deadlines on a daily basis;
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.
   

Special Note:

• Incumbents in this position may be required to transport files (up to 25 lbs.) to and from the courthouse regularly.
• Some Agency positions may require successful completion of pre-interview assessment or work sample prior to interview.
• Ability to speak/read/write Spanish/Creole/French or other foreign language may be considered in the selection process as determined by Agency need at time of interview.

WHAT IS OPS EMPLOYMENT? Other Personal Services (OPS) employment is a temporary employer/employee relationship used solely for accomplishing short term or intermittent tasks. OPS employees do not fill established positions and may not be assigned the duties of any vacant authorized position. OPS employees are at-will employees and are subject to actions such as pay changes, changes to work assignment, and terminations at the pleasure of the agency head or designee.

WHAT BENEFITS ARE APPLICABLE TO OPS EMPLOYEES?

• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan - mandatory
• Workers’ Compensation - mandatory
• Reemployment Assistance (Unemployment Compensation) - mandatory
• Participation in state group insurance (upon meeting eligibility requirements)
• Deferred Compensation - voluntary
• Employee Assistance Program – voluntary

WHAT BENEFITS ARE NOT APPLICABLE TO OPS EMPLOYEES?

• Any form of paid leave
• Paid holidays
• Participation in the Florida Retirement System
• Reinstatement rights or retention rights

It is the policy of the Florida Department of Children and Families that any applicant being considered for employment must successfully complete a State and National criminal history check as a condition of employment before beginning employment, and, if applicable, also be screened in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, F.S., and Chapter 408, F.S.  No applicant may begin employment until the background screening results are received, reviewed for any disqualifying offenses, and approved by the Agency.  Background screening shall include, but not be limited to, fingerprinting for State and Federal criminal records checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and may include local criminal history checks through local law enforcement agencies.

IF YOU EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS APPLYING ONLINE, PLEASE CALL THE PEOPLE FIRST SERVICE CENTER AT (877) 562-7287.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.