SENIOR PARALEGAL - SES - 42001977

Requisition No: 838655 

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: SENIOR PARALEGAL - SES - 42001977

 Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 42001977 

Salary:  $39,000.00 - $55,000.00 

Posting Closing Date: 10/25/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

SENIOR PARALEGAL - SES
 

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES
 

OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER
 

  ***OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY***
 

CONTACT:
 

Barbara Colston, 850-245-1012
 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
 

Completion of a two-year accredited 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 criminal justice; or
 

Law school degree from a law school in the United States, or upon management approval, from a law school outside the United States; or
 

Four (4) years of experience performing the duties of a paralegal or legal assistant AND Four (4) years of experience as a paralegal beyond experience used to substitute for education requirement.
 

EDUCATIONAL NOTE: Graduates utilizing education attained in the United States to meet the minimum requirements of a position will not be appointed until verification of the applicable degree has been obtained. Foreign trained graduates utilizing a degree attained outside of the United States to meet the minimum requirements of a position must be prepared to provide a copy of a credential evaluation conducted by an Approved Credential Evaluation Agency.  A list of approved agencies can be viewed at “Approved Credential Evaluation Agencies, Florida Department of Education.” Approved Credential Evaluation Agencies (fldoe.org) 
 

***ATTENTION CANDIDATES***
 

To be considered for a position with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services:
 

• 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.
• Responses to Qualifying Questions must be verifiable in the Candidate Profile.
   

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services values
and supports employment of individuals with disabilities. Qualified
individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
 

NOTES:
 

Successful applicant must pass a background screening, including fingerprinting, as a condition of employment.
 

JOB DUTIES:
 

This position requires a high degree of independent judgment, an ability to assist in handling all types of administrative actions, as well as an ability to perform research as it relates to the powers, duties, and functions of an agency.

Employee works closely in a confidential capacity to assist the Deputy General Counsels in personnel and employee relations matters. 
 

An employee fulfilling the duties of a Senior Paralegal is performing the most responsible assistant to a lawyer for state agency. Responsible for a high degree of independent paralegal professional judgement, knowledge of the law, the ability and skill to assist in handling complex litigation and all types of administrative actions as well as an ability to research the law as it relates to the powers, duties and functions of an agency are required of a Senior Paralegal. A manner with a minimum of supervision. A Senior Paralegal must also have a high degree of skill in client relations with an ability to listen and communicate effectively, to keep others informed, to deal effectively with conflict and change, and to develop and maintain a professional and effective working relationship with all Department employees and the public. Acts as a liaison for public records requests and subpoenas. This position works closely with the Deputy General Counsel in the review and preparation of records responsive to public records requests, including, but not limited to, confidential personnel and inspector general records and trade secret information. Assists attorneys in gathering confidential personnel records in response to Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Florida Commission on Human Relations (FCHR) complaints. Assists the Deputy General Counsels in personnel administration and developing policies applicable to bargaining unit members. Assists the Deputy General Counsels in handling employee relations matters, including, but not limited to, gathering, and organizing confidential personnel records in response to employee complaints and any resulting proceedings in state or federal court or before the Public Employee Relations Commission.
 

Maintains the complete files for each for the assigned attorneys. Prepares (types) legal pleadings, related documents, agreements, contract, briefs, notices, legislative bills, administrative rules, correspondence, and all other papers and documents as directed by the attorney as appropriate to the type of file assigned. Assists the attorney in trail preparation by creating, maintaining and being responsible for litigation data bases and related statistical information.

Coordinates preparation for dispositions; summarizes depositions; ensures witness notification and payment, ensures files, travel vouchers and other necessary documents required to support the litigation are prepared in a timely and acceptable fashion. Under the direction of assigned attorneys, performs research on points of law for composition and preparation of legal memoranda and briefs.
 

Provides a variety of support services including coverage of switchboard, opening and distributing mail, pulling reports, photocopying, and faxing and assisting others, as necessary.
 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
 

• Ability to produce a high quality of work production in a timely, professional, and practical manner with minimum supervision.
• Ability to listen and communicate effectively and to keep others informed.
• Ability to deal effectively with conflict and change.
• Ability to develop and maintain a professional and effective working relationship with all department employees and the public. 
   

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 visit www.myfrs.com;)
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;
• And more!
   

For a complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.
 

For an estimate of the total compensation package for this position, please visit the “Total Compensation Estimator Tool” located above under the “Posting Closing Date.”
 

SPECIAL NOTES:

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.