PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, 20TH CIRCUIT- LEGAL ASSISTANT I - 21099879

Requisition No: 820221 

Agency: Justice Administrative Commission

Working Title: PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, 20TH CIRCUIT- LEGAL ASSISTANT I - 21099879

 Pay Plan: Public Defndrs JAC

Position Number: 21099879 

Salary:  $35,000.00 

Posting Closing Date: 07/09/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Are you looking for a rewarding role within an organization where you can earn competitive compensation and have access to a comprehensive benefits package? If you are, then the Law Offices of the Public Defender, 20th Judicial Circuit, may be the place for you. The agency is seeking qualified applicants for a Legal Assistant position.

The agency strongly encourages applicants to submit a resume, as well as a cover letter detailing their interest in the position.

The starting pay rate for this position is $35,000 an annually.

To learn more about the Law Offices of the Public Defender, 20th Judicial Circuit, visit: https://www.linkedin.com/company/office-of-the-public-defender-20th-judicial-circuit/.

To learn more about benefits offered to eligible employees, visit: https://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The primary responsibility of the Legal Assistant is to provide highly efficient and professional clerical duties to the agency and legal staff. Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Prepare and maintain files and records.
• Act as office receptionist as needed; direct phone calls, greet, announce and route visitors/clients.
• Keep attorney calendars accurate and updated with meetings and appointments.
• Establish and maintain a comprehensive filing system for tasks.
• Complete monthly reports.
• Case management data entry.
• Maintain confidential case follow-up and other essential legal records and files.
• Type with speed and accuracy, is proficient in word processing systems and associated peripherals.
• Reads incoming mail and independently composes reply when attorney's personal attention is not required.
• Prepares and files complex motions, orders, and subpoenas for both depositions and trials; attends court hearings and keeps docket.
• Keeps attorney's appointment calendar and maintains schedules of meetings, appointments, and hearings.

• Establishes and maintains a comprehensive file system, using the agency’s case management database.
• Handles calls regarding cases and court hearings in attorney's absence.

• Maintains records of all directives issued by the Court and assures compliance with same and keeps fiscal records and other files as required.
• Prepares general legal forms and pleadings independently.
• Prepares documents for e-filing.
• Maintains confidential, case, follow-up and other essential legal records and files.
• Gathers and submits caseload data to insure timely and accurate reporting.
• Assists attorneys with monthly travel reports.
• Accomplishes department and organization mission by completing related tasks as needed.
• Perform related work as required.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

There are no supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must have excellent organizational, communication and time management skills with strong attention to detail. The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively and professionally – verbally and in writing.
• Use correct English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Follow written and oral instructions and procedures.
• Perform efficiently in a deadline driven atmosphere.
• Exhibit sound judgment and good listening skills.
• Handle matters with integrity and confidentiality.
• Use personal computer and general office equipment.
• Be extremely personable, organized, establish priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Maintain an effective filing system.
• Manage multiple assignments simultaneously including long- and short-range projects.
• Be flexible in work assignments and processes based upon need.
• Travel to various locations throughout the circuit if needed.
• Effectively utilize MS Office.
• Work with minimum supervision.
• Reflect a professional appearance and personality.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

High School Diploma and three years of progressively responsible secretarial or legal experience, or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Prior legal experience preferred. An equivalency diploma issued by a state department of education may be substituted for high school graduation.

English fluency required.

Bilingual ability preferred, but it is not required.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, technical procedures, legal documents, and governmental regulations. Ability to write business correspondence. Bi-lingual in Spanish preferred, but not required.

COMPUTER SKILLS

Basic computer skills are required including keyboarding, use of PCs, printers, Microsoft Office etc.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals.

REASONING ABILITY

Must be able to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. Must be able to evaluate problems, isolate key issues, research and develop alternative solutions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to be mobile, speak and hear.

The employee is frequently required to sit and reach. The employee is occasionally required to move around internal and external locations. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Valid Florida driver’s license.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level for this position is moderate.

EQUIPMENT UTILIZED

Personal computers, printers, copiers, scanners, telephones, calculators.

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: $35,000 annually

Benefits: N/A

Schedule:

• Full-time; Monday – Friday; 8 am – 5 pm

Experience:

• Writing skills: 3 years (Preferred)
• Office/Admin Occupations: 3 years (Preferred)

Work Location: One location

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS at 1-844-377-1888 on how your current benefits may be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida.  Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended, or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.

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.