PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, 2ND CIRCUIT- LEGAL ASSISTANT I - 21006919

Requisition No: 843273 

Agency: Justice Administrative Commission

Working Title: PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, 2ND CIRCUIT- LEGAL ASSISTANT I - 21006919

 Pay Plan: Public Defndrs JAC

Position Number: 21006919 

Salary:  $34,484.40 

Posting Closing Date: 01/10/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

The Work You Will Do:

The Office of Second Judicial Circuit Public Defender Jessica J. Yeary is accepting applications for a full-time (Mon. – Fri., 8:00AM – 5:00PM) Legal Assistant I in the Gadsden County (Quincy) office location.

This is varied and highly responsible legal secretarial/assistant work.

An employee in this position performs a variety of complex secretarial duties for multiple attorneys requiring independent judgment, action, knowledge of laws and regulations, including making frequent decisions in accordance with organizational policies and practices.  Duties cover all facets of the criminal legal system.

To be considered for the position: 

• All fields in the Candidate Profile must be completed (an attached resume is not a substitution for the information required on the candidate profile).
• Work history, duties and responsibilities, hours worked, supervisor, and formal education fields, etc. must be filled out to determine qualifications for this position.

Examples of Work Performed:

(NOTE:  These examples are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed in positions allocated to this class.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.)

• Types with speed and accuracy; proficient in word processing systems. 
• Maintains a comprehensive file system; accurately enters all relevant data into our case management system.
• Reviews and distributes incoming mail.
• Files complex motions and orders using the e-filing system.
• Drafts subpoenas for both depositions and trials.
• Keeps attorney's appointment calendar and maintain schedules of meetings, appointments, hearings, trials and sentencings.
• Handles calls regarding cases and court hearings in attorney's absence.
• Maintains records of all directives issued by the Court and assures compliance.
• Prepares general legal forms and pleadings independently.
• Maintains confidential essential legal records and files.
• Gathers and submits caseload data to insure timely and accurate reporting.
• Performs related work as required.

A Successful Candidate Should Have:

• Knowledge of personal computer use.
• Experience using Microsoft Word, Outlook, Teams and Excel.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to use proper phone etiquette and provide outstanding assistance to clients.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to research information quickly.
• Attention to detail is a key component of this position.
• Ability to speak on the phone for extended periods of time.
• Ability to multi-task.

Pay:

• $34,484.40 annually

Minimum Training and Experience:     

• Graduation from high school and two years of secretarial experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• An equivalency diploma issued by a state department of education may be substituted for high school graduation.

Our Organization and Mission:

The Office of the Public Defender, Second Judicial Circuit provides legal representation for indigent individuals accused of criminal offenses. The Second Judicial Circuit encompasses six Florida counties: Leon, Gadsden, Liberty, Jefferson, Wakulla and Franklin.

Each fiscal year, the Second Judicial Circuit represents indigent clients in both criminal trial and criminal appeal appointments, equating to nearly 16,500 criminal cases for six (6) Florida counties and over 1,100 cases on appeal for the 32 counties that make up the First District Court of Appeal.

The Office of Public Defender came into existence in 1963 following the United States Supreme Court's landmark decision in Gideon v. Wainwright.  The Court ruled that indigent citizens have the fundamental right to the assistance of counsel under the Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution.

Under the direction of Public Defender Jessica J. Yeary, the office is comprised of dedicated criminal defense attorneys, investigators, social workers, and support staff who work tirelessly to ensure equal justice for all.

The Benefits of Working with 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.
• Paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year.
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, and other supplemental insurance options.
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (For more information, please click www.myfrs.com),
• Tuition waivers,
• And more!

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.