PARALEGAL SPECIALIST

PARALEGAL SPECIALIST - 60057757

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: Polk County. Applicants interested in working in counties/cities other than Polk County will need to apply for positions advertised for those specific areas on the People First System. Annual Salary: $37,000.08. 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.

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.

The state of Florida is an equal opportunity employer/affirmative action employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace. Veterans' preference will be given to eligible veterans and their spouses in accordance with Chapter 295 of the Florida Statutes.