LEGAL ASSISTANT III - 41000168

Requisition No: 839865 

Agency: Office of the Attorney General

Working Title: LEGAL ASSISTANT III - 41000168

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 41000168 

Salary:  $45,888.18 Annually 

Posting Closing Date: 11/23/2024 

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Our Organization and Mission: The Office represents the State of Florida in state and federal civil and criminal courts, from trial courts to the Supreme Court of the United States. 

Position Summary:  This position is in the Consumer Protection Division in the Miami Bureau.  This senior level support position works as part of a legal support team handling administrative and legal support responsibilities.  It is a full-time, highly responsible position that requires the individual to work independently with limited supervision.  Strong organizational skills, excellent communication skills (both verbal and written), and the ability to multitask effectively are essential.  This position operates in a fast-paced environment and assists a team of attorneys and investigators.  

The ideal candidate will have strong spelling and grammar, proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel, proficiency with Adobe Pro, and either paralegal education or training, or experience working in a legal environment in a support role.

Pay: $45,88.18 Annually

Qualifications: 

A high school diploma or equivalency. 
Three (3) years of secretarial/clerical experience.
Two (2) years degree or certificate in Paralegal Studies or related field may substitute for two (2) years of required experience.

Preference will be given to applicants with:

• Paralegal Certification or graduation from an accredited paralegal or similar training program.
• 1 or more years of experience working in a law firm, courthouse, or legal department in a legal support role.

**An administrative skills exercise may be administered as part of the selection process. In order to advance to the next stage of the selection process a passing score of 60% is required. These skills exercises may take place at any stage of the selection process and must be completed in-person at one of the OAG offices in Florida. An Excel skills exercise may also be administered as part of the selection process**

The Work You Will Do: The responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to the following: 

Legal Case Management:

• Draft, edit and prepare legal documents under supervision of attorneys and staff.
• Prepare routine correspondence based on preapproved document templates.
• Calendar deadlines in accordance with applicable rules of procedure.
• Electronically file documents with courts.
• Assist in the processing and maintenance of all electronic media including e-filings and evidence and media.
• Update case management system and notes, and assist with data collection and reports.
• Maintain and file all records and reports on case activity and prepare any necessary statistical reports.
• Maintain internal case dockets and case files.
• Secure supplemental case information.
• Coordinate services needed for proceedings such as transportation, Pre-Trial waiting area, and translation services.
• Assist with scanning documents.
• File exhibits.
• Assist with coordination of service of process and subpoenas.
• Assist with obtaining transcripts and court records.
• Transcribe dictation as needed.
• May accompany attorneys to court and assist as required.
• Coordinate meetings, depositions and court appearances including space, time, place and notify all participants.
• Assist victims and witnesses.
• Assist with discovery preparation.
• Generate subpoenas and update case management system from returns.

General Administrative:

• Maintain calendars
• Entering time into billable hours reports.
• Arrange travel itinerary and hotel accommodations and reimbursement forms.
• Arrange conference calls and meetings.
• Research and prepare reports.
• Receive, scan and distribute incoming mail.
• Responsible for all administrative activities as required.
• Bilingual employees who are able may be asked to assist in translations as needed.
• Notarize documents as needed if a notary.
• Train lower level Legal Assistants.
• Serve as adminstrative assistant by planning, inititating, and carrying to completion clerical, secretarial, and administrative activities.
• Answer questions which may involve the interpretation of policies and procedures.
• Assist in public record responses, invoicing, redacting and dissemination.
• Perform any and all duties as required.

Specific task assignments will be related to the examples listed above and may vary based on the tasks applicable to the assigned Unit.

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida: Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits.
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year.
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options.
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (For more information, please click www.myfrs.com).
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tuition waivers.
• And more! For a more complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: To be considered for the position, all applicants must:

Submit a complete and accurate application profile necessary for qualifying such as dates of service, reason for leaving, etc. In addition, all applicants must ensure all employment and/or detailed information about work experience is listed on the application (including military service, self-employment, job-related volunteer work, internships, etc.) and that gaps in employment are explained. 

NOTE: Any required experience and/or preferences listed in the advertisement must be verified at the time of application.

• Ensure that applicant responses to qualifying questions are verifiable by skills and/or experience stated on the employment application and/or resume. Applicants who do not respond to the qualifying questions will not be considered for this position.
• The elements of the selection process may include a skill assessment exercise. 
• Current and future vacancies may be filled from this advertisement for a period of up to six months. Following the six-month period, a new application must be submitted to an open advertisement to be considered for that vacancy.
• OAG employees are paid biweekly. All state employees are required to participate in the direct deposit program pursuant to s. 110.113, Fs.

CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS/ DRUG FREE WORKPLACE: All OAG positions are "sensitive or special trust" and require favorable results on a background investigation including fingerprinting, pursuant to s. 110.1127(2)(a), F.S. The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free Workplace, all employees are subject to reasonable suspicion or other drug testing in accordance with section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act. We hire only U.S. citizens and those lawfully authorized to work in the U.S.

E-VERIFY STATEMENT: The Office of the Attorney General participates in the U.S. government’s employment eligibility verification program (e-verify). E-verify is a program that electronically confirms an employee’s eligibility to work in the United States after completion of the employment eligibility verification form (i-9).

PERSONS WITH DISABILITY/ADA STATEMENT: The OAG supports the employment of individuals with disabilities and encourages them to seek employment within our agency. If you need an accommodation because of a disability, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, in order to participate in the application process, please notify the people first service center at 877-562-7287. If you need an accommodation during the selection process, please notify the hiring authority in advance to allow sufficient time to provide an accommodation.

REMINDERS: Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Service System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from SSS. For more information, please visit the SSS website at: https: //www.sss.gov. If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. If you return to FRS employment before satisfying the required waiting period, your retirement may be voided, and you may have to repay all benefits you have received, including any Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP) payout.

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.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.