Paralegal

HERNANDO COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
AL NIENHUIS, SHERIFF

JOB TITLE: PARALEGAL
BUREAU: ADMINISTRATION
SUPERVISED BY: LEGAL COUNSEL
PAY GRADE : 20N CREATED:  
FLSA STATUS : NON-EXEMPT REVISED: 5/18/2026

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CLASS:

Under the direction of the agency’s General Counsel, this position combines traditional paralegal litigation support with administrative, calendaring, and contract management responsibilities. The incumbent must be familiar with basic legal terminology and have an understanding of pleadings and other legal documents including claims, summons and complaints, motions, notices, subpoenas, affidavits, orders and final judgements. The incumbent must be familiar with the electronic filing system and also familiar with the scheduling of court hearings and trials, coordinating witnesses, and attending to the attorney’s calendar. The incumbent should also have basic knowledge of, or willingness to learn contract management software as they will be responsible for getting all contracts for the agency set up for review.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Draft routine pleadings for review and editing by the attorney;
• Review pleadings before finalization;
• Electronically file pleadings;
• Draft correspondence;
• Prepare subpoenas;
• Assist in creating a system to maintain and communicate tasks/pending matters lists;
• Follow up on outstanding matters with and without reminders by attorney;
• Calendar response deadlines in conjunction with attorney;
• Receive calls for attorney;
• Ensure the attorney is prepared for court with any documents, files, or information they may need;
• Work with outside counsel attorneys;
• Compile, organize and maintain discovery files and records;
• Follow and complete tasks on forfeiture checklist, including drafting complaint and initial draft of forfeiture affidavit, monitoring deadlines, preparing other pleadings, correspondence and settlement agreement, if necessary; scheduling deputy to appear at Adversarial Preliminary Hearing, if scheduled, etc.;
• Contract software management;

QUALIFICATIONS:

Training and Experience:

• Graduation from a college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree
• Or Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) or Certified Paralegal (CP)
• 2 years’ legal litigation experience
• Or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Must possess a valid Florida driver’s license

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills:

• Knowledge of legal format and legal terminology
• Knowledge of Internet software; and Microsoft spreadsheet and word processing software
• Knowledge of office practices, procedures, equipment and filing systems
• Knowledge of business English, spelling, punctuation and arithmetic
• Ability to prepare pleadings, legal documents and legal correspondence
• Ability to deal with the public and fellow members in an effective and courteous manner
• Ability to work independently on confidential para-legal and secretarial tasks
• Skill in taking and transcribing dictation, including minutes of meetings and statements of witnesses
• Ability to perform all functions of the job classification without posing a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace
  

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL SKILLS:

• Sit at a desk and view a display screen for extended periods of time
• Access file cabinets for filings and retrieval of data
• Carry up to 30 pounds (i.e., boxes, shredded reports, file stacks, etc.)
• Acceptable eyesight (with or without correction).
• Acceptable hearing (with or without hearing aid).