PARALEGAL SPECIALIST - 43004647

State of Florida

30d • $45,000 - $52,000

About The Position

The Office of Financial Regulation (OFR) is responsible for licensing, chartering, examining, and regulating depository and non-depository financial institutions and financial service companies, including state-chartered banks, credit unions, trust companies, loan originators, mortgage lenders, securities dealers, investment advisors, consumer collection agencies and money transmitters throughout the state of Florida.

Mission Statement: To protect Florida’s financial services consumers, promote a safe and sound financial marketplace, and contribute to the growth of Florida’s economy through fair, innovative, and excellent regulation of the financial services industry.

The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) provides legal services and legal support services in all aspects of the agency’s daily operations necessary to implement the OFR's statutory and regulatory oversight.

SPECIAL NOTES:
Four (4) years of professional work experience is
required.

An Associate of Arts degree in Paralegal Studies and two (2) years of professional work experience; OR
A Florida Registered or Certified Paralegal certification from an accredited college or university and three (3) years of professional work experience, OR
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university may be used as an alternative for the required professional experience.

Additional requirement:

Working experience with Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, TEAMS, and Adobe Acrobat Professional

The OFR operates from five (5) different office facilities throughout the state of Florida, including Tallahassee (Headquarters), Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and West Palm Beach.

The OFR may consider any of these office locations as the primary reporting office location.

This position requires a security background check, including fingerprint as a condition of employment.

The anticipated salary range for this position is $45,000.00 to $52,000.00. The starting salary shall be commensurate with the selected candidate’s competencies and qualifications. Work samples may be requested to verify competence.

Employees of the Department of Financial Services are paid on a monthly pay cycle.

Responses to qualifying questions must be clearly supported by the state application and any omission, falsification, or misrepresentation in the answering of the qualifying questions will be cause for immediate elimination from the selection process.

All applicants seeking employment with the OFR are subject to mandatory background checks conducted through the DFS, Bureau of Human Resource Management in accordance with the requirements of chapter 435, Florida Statues, and reviews by OFR. Applicants may be disqualified for employment with OFR based on the information that may be obtained through research and/or OFR’s review process.

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.

Requirements

• Four (4) years of professional work experience is required.
• An Associate of Arts degree in Paralegal Studies and two (2) years of professional work experience; OR A Florida Registered or Certified Paralegal certification from an accredited college or university and three (3) years of professional work experience, OR A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university may be used as an alternative for the required professional experience.
• Working experience with Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, TEAMS, and Adobe Acrobat Professional
• Knowledge of law, legal terminology, and legal procedures.
• Ability to understand and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to research legal documents and legal references.
• Ability to draft legal pleadings and related documents.
• Ability to conduct fact-finding interviews, research and prepare reports.
• Ability to comprehend and interpret information.
• Ability to prioritize and multitask work assignments.
• Ability to utilize problem-solving techniques.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Must be computer literate and familiar with Microsoft software (including Word, Excel, Outlook, Power Point and Teams) and Adobe Acrobat Professional.

Nice To Haves

• A Florida Registered or Certified Paralegal Certification.
• Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Experience in financial securities, financial services, or financial institutions.
• Working experience with the Florida Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH), and Chapter 120, Florida Statutes, and Chapter 28-106, Florida Administrative Code.
• Working experience with legal terminology, legal procedure, and drafting legal documents.
• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

Responsibilities

• Assists agency attorneys with preparing, reviewing, proofing, and editing legal documents and responsive pleadings, such as administrative complaints, deposition summaries, orders, motions, notices, memoranda, briefs, subpoenas, opinions, agreements and correspondence, discovery documents, including interrogatories, request for admissions, and request for production, filings, and service of legal documents; examines all documents to ensure accuracy and completeness of information and conformity with administrative and judicial rules, and ensures compliance with state and federal rules of court, may conduct factual investigations, prepare statistical or data compilations as needed.
• Assist attorneys with preparation for civil or administrative litigation, such as witness notification, conduct preliminary witness interviews, and preparation of trial notebooks, exhibits and visual aids in preparation for trial. Attend hearings to assist attorneys.
• Performs legal research under the supervision of the Attorney Supervisor.
• Assist the Attorney Supervisor in monitoring assignments with respect to applicable timeframes.
• The incumbent will learn and effectively utilize the Regulatory Enforcement and Licensing (REAL) System to assist attorneys with time-tracking, case tracking and documentation
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Paid holidays and an annual personal holiday.
• Paid vacation and sick leave.
• Excellent health & life insurance options for individuals and/or family coverage.
• Additional supplemental insurances available such as dental, vision, disability, etc.
• Tax deferred medical and Dependent Care Benefit reimbursement accounts available.
• Deferred Compensation opportunities.
• Tuition waivers to attend state universities/community colleges.
• Retirement plans and options.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree