Paralegal

ParalegalPut your litigation experience to work on cases that matter. The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office is seeking a Paralegal to join our Legal Team. In this role, you will work closely with an assigned attorney in the defense of the Agency's automobile negligence cases, providing comprehensive litigation and administrative support throughout the life of a case. From preparing pleadings and managing discovery to reviewing medical records, coordinating court filings, and tracking critical deadlines, your expertise will help keep complex litigation organized, efficient, and moving forward.The ideal candidate is an experienced litigation paralegal with a strong understanding of civil pleadings, discovery, medical records, court procedures, and automobile negligence cases. They are highly organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable exercising independent judgment while managing multiple priorities and confidential information. The successful candidate takes initiative, anticipates case needs, follows through on outstanding matters, and works collaboratively with attorneys, expert witnesses, and others involved in the litigation process.If you enjoy being an integral part of a legal team and thrive on the details that help build and manage a strong case, this is an opportunity to bring your experience to a unique public-sector legal environment. Join a team where your knowledge, initiative, and attention to detail directly support the Agency and its mission.Salary: Consideration given for relevant experience. Schedule: Monday-Friday, daytime positionThe background investigation process may take up to 6 weeks depending upon the complexity of the applicant's background and position for which they've applied.Under the general direction of the General Counsel, performs work which is primarily legal in nature, including assisting a senior attorney in the defense of the Agency's automobile negligence cases. The member must have an extensive understanding of civil pleadings, discovery, medical records and summaries, billing summaries, and working with expert witnesses. The member must be familiar with filing and retrieving documents from the court, as well as familiar with the scheduling of court hearings and trials. The member is also assigned a variety of complex clerical tasks requiring independent judgment and action. The member will assist the attorney with a goal toward working as a team to improve the attorney's productivity and efficiency.SUPERVISES OTHERS: NoDrafts routine pleadings for review and editing by the attorneyCreates pleading shells for pleadings requiring attorney's preparationReviews pleadings before finalizationFiles state pleadings electronicallyDrafts correspondence where appropriateMaintains and communicate tasks/pending matters listsFollows up on outstanding matters with and without reminders by attorneySchedules calendar response deadlines in conjunction with attorneyCompiles, organizes and maintains discovery files and recordsReviews discovery responses to determine record requestsPrepares Subpoena Duces Tecum and monitor collection of recordsDrafts discovery pleadings and organize and monitor responsesPrepares medical records summaries, chronologies and medical expense chartsRegular and reliable attendance is required as an essential function of the positionThis position may be considered essential and, in the event of an emergency or natural disaster, may be required to report to workParticipates in Sheriff's Office recruitment and community relations activities as directedThis list is not intended to be all-inclusive and you may not be responsible for every item listed. The employer reserves the right to assign additional functions and responsibilities as necessaryQualificationsHigh School graduation or equivalent diploma from an institution accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) or licensed as a degree granting institution by the Commission for Independent EducationFive (5) years' litigation experience as a paralegal, 3 of which involve auto negligenceOr equivalent combination of education and experienceCertified Legal Assistant (CLA) or Certified Paralegal (CP) preferredMust possess a valid Florida driver's licenseKnowledge, Skills, and AbilitiesKnowledge of legal format and legal terminologyKnowledge of Internet software; and spreadsheet and word processing softwareKnowledge of business English, spelling and punctuationAbility to prepare pleadings, legal documents and legal correspondenceAbility to deal with the public and fellow members in an effective and courteous mannerAbility to work independently on confidential paralegal and secretarial tasksAbility to perform all functions of the job classification without posing a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplacePhysical AbilitiesThe physical abilities listed below are estimates of time spent during a typical work day to perform essential functions and responsibilities. Members in this position may be required to:Sit up to 7 hours per dayStand up to 1 hour per dayWalk up to 1 hour per dayOccasionally lift up to 10 lbs.Occasionally bend, squat, reach, kneel, and twist