GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE, 1ST CIRCUIT- PARALEGAL SPECIALIST - 21016311
About The Position
The Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office is a state-funded child advocacy organization that provides 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 role works independently under the general supervision of the Managing Attorney or Circuit Director and requires discretion when handling sensitive and confidential information. The Paralegal Specialist may 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 attorney supervision; draft and file pleadings and motions for attorneys; build working relationships with court personnel, private attorneys and law firms, outside organizations, and the public; and gather and analyze research data. Applicants must have completed a legal assistant, paralegal, legal paraprofessional, or attorney’s assistant training program; hold a degree or certificate in legal technology, legal administration, legal studies, or allied legal services; or have graduated from a school of law. The Executive Director or designee may waive the required training and experience.
Requirements
- Completion of a training program to become a legal assistant, paralegal, legal paraprofessional, or lawyer’s or attorney’s assistant; or a degree or certificate in legal technology, legal administration, legal studies, or allied legal services; or graduation from a school of law. The Executive Director or designee may waive the required training and experience.
- Knowledge of legal citation and the 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
- Florida Retirement System pension or investment plan, with a 3% employee contribution required.
- State group insurance options, including health, life, dental, vision, and supplemental insurance.
- 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, with an increase after five years.
- $25,000 state-provided life insurance at no cost for FTE positions; employees may purchase additional coverage.
- Public Loan Forgiveness Program.
- State tuition waivers.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Education Level
No Education Listed
