PARALEGAL SPECIALIST - 60057671

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.

We have excellent benefits including affordable health insurance plans & options, liberal sick leave and annual leave policy, and, a tuition waiver program through state colleges and universities. We offer 9 holidays and 1 personal day, FRS Investment or FRS Pension plan and numerous pre-tax and post-tax benefit options.

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

Annual Salary: $37,000. Annual salary does not reflect an additional bi-weekly competitive area differential of $48.80. 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.
   

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.

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 PEOPLEFIRST 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.  Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or the PeopleFirst Service Center (1-877-562-7287).  Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.  Veterans' preference will be given to eligible veterans and their spouses in accordance with Chapter 295 of the Florida Statutes.