SENIOR PARALEGAL - 60074585

Requisition No: 871829 

Agency: Children and Families

Working Title: SENIOR PARALEGAL - 60074585

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 60074585 

Salary:  $45,000 

Posting Closing Date: 03/24/2026 

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Florida Department of Children & Families - Children’s Legal Services Program

We are seeking multiple highly organized and investigative individuals to join the Complex Litigation Team within Children's Legal Services, 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: The Senior Paralegal Unit within the Complex Litigation Team will partner with the Children’s Legal Services attorneys to prosecute child abuse cases involving sophisticated theories by preparing legal documents, organizing high-volume document productions, analyzing expert materials, and leading trial preparation efforts.  The work is challenging but incredibly rewarding.

Location: Children’s Legal Services is seeking multiple applicants statewide to support litigation across the state.

Annual Salary: $45,000.00. Internal salary appointments are determined according to DCF Salary policy.

Job Responsibilities/Examples of Work May Include: 

• Case Management--Manage all aspects of high-volume, complex litigation dependency cases from inception through trial.
• Discovery--Draft and respond to discovery requests including redaction, coordinate large-scale document productions, and prepare summaries of documents to assist attorneys.     
• Expert witnesses--Coordinate retention and engagement of expert witnesses, organize and analyze expert materials and disclosures, and assist with preparation of expert reports.     
• Trial Preparation--Lead trial preparation efforts, including exhibit indexing, witness summaries, trial notebook preparation, demonstrative evidence organization, and courtroom technology support; assist attorneys during hearings and trial with real-time document management and logistics.
• Drafting--Drafts legal documents for assigned cases including pleadings, motions, notice of filings, subpoenas and other necessary documents in support of complex dependency cases.

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.
  
  

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.

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.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.