GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE, 5TH CIRCUIT- PARALEGAL SPECIALIST - 21016313

State of Florida•INVERNESS, FL

13d

About The Position

The Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office is a state-funded child advocacy organization providing independent legal representation to abused, abandoned, and neglected children in Florida dependency court proceedings. The Paralegal Specialist performs secretarial, administrative support, and clerical duties for attorneys in a local Guardian ad Litem Circuit office. The position works independently under the general supervision of the Managing Attorney or Circuit Director and requires discretion when handling sensitive and confidential information. The position may involve cite-checking, proofreading, and finalizing legal briefs under supervision; maintaining case files, court calendars, and litigation timetables; preparing case summaries, pleadings, orders, and summons under attorney supervision; drafting and filing pleadings and motions for attorneys; establishing working relationships with court personnel, private attorneys and law firms, outside organizations, and the public; and gathering and analyzing research data.

Requirements

Complete a training program to become a legal assistant, paralegal, legal paraprofessional, or lawyer’s or attorney’s assistant; or hold a degree or certificate in legal technology, legal administration, legal studies, or allied legal services; or graduate from a school of law. The Executive Director or designee may waive the required training and experience.
Knowledge of legal citation and Bluebook.
Knowledge of legal terminology.
Knowledge of law and legal procedure.
Knowledge of grammar, spelling, and writing mechanics.
Ability to perform legal writing.
Ability to research legal documents and legal references.
Ability to comprehend and interpret information.
Ability to maintain files.
Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments.
Ability to communicate effectively.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

Responsibilities

Cite-check, proofread, and finalize legal briefs, subject to supervision.
Maintain case files, court calendars, and litigation timetables.
Prepare case summaries, pleadings, orders, and summons under the supervision of an attorney.
Draft and file pleadings and motions for attorneys.
Establish working relationships with State Courts Systems personnel, private attorneys and law firms, outside organizations, and the public.
Gather and analyze research data.

Benefits

State of Florida retirement package with pension or investment plan (3% employee contribution required).
State group insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options.
Flexible spending account.
Nine paid state holidays each calendar year.
One paid personal holiday each fiscal year.
13 paid sick leave days accrued within the calendar year.
13 paid annual leave days accrued within the calendar year, increasing after five years.
$25,000 life insurance provided by the state at no cost for all FTE positions; employees may purchase additional coverage.
Public Loan Forgiveness Program.
State tuition waivers.
State contribution toward employee insurance; stated rates include single coverage as low as $50 per month and family coverage at $180 per month.