JUSTICE ADMINISTRATIVE COMMISSION- LEGAL ASSISTANT- 21013416

Requisition No: 827152 

Agency: Justice Administrative Commission

Working Title: JUSTICE ADMINISTRATIVE COMMISSION- LEGAL ASSISTANT- 21013416

 Pay Plan: Justice Admin Comm.

Position Number: 21013416 

Salary:  Starting $40,000.00 

Posting Closing Date: 04/29/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Legal Assistant 

Our Organization, Vision, and Mission:

The Justice Administrative Commission (JAC) is a small state agency (fewer than 100 employees) led by an Executive Director appointed by a four-member commission. The commission is comprised of two State Attorneys and two Public Defenders.  JAC administratively serves Florida’s State Attorneys, Public Defenders, Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsels, Capital Collateral Regional Counsels, and the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Program. JAC also processes bills from private court-appointed attorneys throughout the state representing indigent individuals and from their associated due process services vendors (court reporters, interpreters, investigators, and expert witnesses) to ensure compliance with Florida Statutes and JAC’s Contracts. JAC hires great people from a variety of backgrounds to develop comprehensive solutions for those we serve.  

JAC's Vision: To be the model of exemplary state government.

JAC's Mission: To support the entities we serve and Florida’s judicial system with fiscal controls, best practices, and exemplary service.

JAC's Core Competencies:

1. Administrative Service
2. Communication and Collaboration
3. Prompt-Payment
4. Fiscal Accountability
5. Continuous Improvement and Innovation

JAC's Core Values: We take great pride in exemplary service, adaptability, honesty, integrity, and diversity, as well as respectful and ethical conduct.

Where You Will Work:

JAC’s office is located in Tallahassee, Florida’s Capital City.  Lined with rolling hills, oak trees, and canopied roads, Tallahassee combines old world charm with a modern pace of life. Home to two major universities as well as state government, Tallahassee is a mid-sized city in the heart of Florida’s Big Bend. Close to Florida’s Gulf coast and centrally located to popular tourist destinations, Tallahassee is a highly desirable location for both those seeking their first job and those ready to enter the next exciting chapter in their career. Also, with no state income tax, Florida is a great place to work regardless of where you are on the career ladder. For more information about Tallahassee, please visit:  https://www.talchamber.com/visit-tallahassee/.

The Work You Will Do:

The General Counsel’s Office seeks a detail oriented individual to join a team of legal support staff working with JAC attorneys. The Legal Administrator, three paralegals and the Legal Assistant are responsible for responding to emails from attorneys, vendors, and court staff; analyzing motions, orders, and other legal pleadings to determine next steps; managing the hearings calendar for JAC attorneys; processing attorney and due process vendor contracts; assisting with public records requests; and other legal support duties. JAC leverages technology in ever evolving ways in order to efficiently address our needs. A successful candidate must be comfortable learning new skills in an entirely digital format. Thorough in-person training and a written desk manual will be provided to ensure success.

Work-Life Balance:

JAC encourages employees to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Flexible schedules and/or hybrid on-site and remote schedule options may be available for employees in good standing.

The Difference You Will Make:

At JAC, you will use your critical thinking skills and insight to communicate with our audiences and enhance the services we offer to ensure that Florida’s justice-related entities operate at the highest level possible. To support employees, JAC offers multiple professional growth opportunities, including participation in the Certified Public Manager program, Six Sigma, and other relevant training. JAC also prides itself on providing state of the art information technology service and equipment.

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 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 to attend TCC, FAMU or FSU, and more!

For a more complete list of benefits, click https://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com/.

JAC is a member of the Florida Retirement System and participates in the State Group Insurance Plan. However, JAC is not part of the State Personnel System. 

Pay:

The minimum starting salary for the position is $40,000 annually and may be filled above that commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Education and Experience Requirements:

Applicants must have either: an associate’s degree or higher, completed a legal assistant training program; have a degree or certificate in legal technology, administration, or studies; or have a minimum of two years of high-level administrative, secretarial, legal assistant, or paralegal experience. Applicants should also demonstrate excellent organizational and problem-solving skills.

Preference will be given to candidates with strong communication and writing skills, knowledge of the judicial system, and state government.

Employees of the JAC General Counsel’s Office have access to personal confidential and sensitive information as well as state financial information.  The successful applicant will therefore be required to submit to a Level 2 (state and national) Background Check.

How to Apply:

Complete the online application through People First.  These positions also require submission of three additional items:

(1) cover letter highlighting your experience or interest in the position;

(2) short writing sample, and;

(3) a resume.

The writing sample may be an email, letter or memorandum that demonstrates your writing style. Please ensure that all submissions are in a readable format.  Incomplete applications may not be considered.

Only applications submitted online through the State of Florida People First website will be considered.

If you are unsure if your documents have been properly submitted, contact People First directly at 1-877-562-7287.

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.