PARALEGAL SPECIALIST-LITIGATION - 55009279

State of Florida • CHIPLEY, FL

7d • $48,000 - $53,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Paralegal Specialist-Litigation works in the Florida Department of Transportation’s District 3 Chief Counsel’s office as part of the Office of the General Counsel. The position prepares and files litigation pleadings and related documents under the oversight of legal counsel, often with minimal instruction, and exercises independent judgment and initiative while managing routine work, new assignments, and urgent matters. The role supports attorneys throughout discovery and case preparation, including depositions, hearings, and trials, and may travel to provide litigation support. The employee also performs administrative and office-support duties such as calendar and case-file management, travel arrangements, purchasing-card processing, telephone coverage, and special projects.

The position is located at 1074 Highway 90 East, Chipley, Florida 32428-2162. The advertised annual salary range is $48,000 to $53,000. This is a full-time Career Service position.

Requirements

• Two years of experience in legal secretarial or paralegal work; or completion of a training program to become a legal assistant, paralegal, legal paraprofessional, or lawyer’s or attorney’s assistant; or post-secondary education in legal technology, legal administration, legal studies, or allied legal services, which may substitute for required experience on a year-for-year basis.
• Knowledge of legal pleadings, litigation processes, administrative procedures, electronic mail, and word-processing software.
• Skill in typing correspondence, memorandums, reports, pleadings, and other legal documents in established formats without supervision.
• Skill in preparing for hearings, scheduling depositions and hearings and preparing related documents, and meeting deadlines.
• Ability to support attorneys during hearings, perform legal research, and write legal memorandums.
• Ability to travel when required.
• Ability to organize and maintain case files and perform basic legal secretarial duties, including maintaining attorney calendars and copying, mailing, and filing court documents.
• Ability to coordinate work assignments, handle multiple tasks, and prioritize assignments.
• Ability to access, input, and retrieve information from computer databases; use email and word-processing software; and communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to read and comprehend written material and use correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships, work as a team member, and interact tactfully and courteously with internal and external customers.
• Applicants must be U.S. citizens or lawfully authorized alien workers; visa sponsorship is not available.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and file legal pleadings and related documents in the correct format with minimal instruction from a Department attorney.
• Review, investigate, and collect data; electronically file and schedule matters; and gather background information for discovery responses and other inquiries or requests.
• Coordinate and prepare expert witnesses and coordinate deposition, hearing, and trial preparation.
• Prepare for and ensure compliance with pre-trial orders and case management orders.
• Perform basic legal research and review legal documents for proper legal citations.
• Proofread documents for spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
• Organize case files for expert witnesses, depositions, hearings, and trials; organize and categorize documents and hearing exhibits; and assist with discovery preparation and responses.
• Travel to and provide litigation support during depositions, hearings, and trials.
• Schedule and update attorneys’ appointment calendars, arrange meetings and depositions, and procure court reporters in a timely manner.
• Maintain current caseload lists, attend case review meetings, enter case records in OGC SharePoint, and check reports for accuracy.
• Arrange attorney travel and prepare itineraries, travel authorizations, and travel reimbursements.
• Process purchasing-card payments in accordance with Department policies and procedures.
• Conduct assigned special projects, including preparing reports and documents and supporting technical aspects of presentations.
• Receive and route telephone calls, deliver messages, and serve as a receptionist backup on a rotating schedule.

Benefits

• Health insurance, over 90% employer paid.
• Employer-paid $25,000 life insurance policy.
• Dental, vision, and supplemental insurance.
• State of Florida retirement package.
• Ten paid holidays per year.
• Vacation and sick leave.
• Career advancement opportunities.
• Tuition waiver for public college courses.
• Training opportunities.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed