forensic legal assistant - Tallahassee, United States - State of Florida

Description

Requisition No:

Agency: Agency for Persons with Disabilities

Working Title: FORENSIC LEGAL ASSISTANT

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number:

Salary: $45, $53,000.00 Annually

Posting Closing Date: 05/08/2024

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

AGENCY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

POSITION: Senior Legal Assistant - Career Service

WORKING TITLE: Senior Legal Assistant

POSITION'S LOCATION: State Office – Tallahassee

POSITION NUMBER:

OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY

*This is an ANTICIPATED VACANCY*

The Agency for Persons with Disabilities works in partnership with local communities to support people with developmental disabilities in living, learning, and working in their communities. APD provides critical services and supports for customers with developmental disabilities to reach their full potential. The Agency serves people with spina bifida, autism, Down syndrome, children ages 3-5 at high risk of developmental disabilities, cerebral palsy, Prader-Willi syndrome, Phelan-McDermid syndrome, and intellectual disabilities. There is no charge or co-payment for services provided through the Agency.

SALARY RANGE

$ 45, $53,000.00 Annually $1, $2,038.46 Bi-weekly

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Employees of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities are required to demonstrate total commitment to outstanding customer service. This includes, but is not limited to, always acting in a responsive, professional, courteous manner with the employees, customers, and public we serve at all times.

This position provides assistance and support to the Forensic Attorneys, General Counsel, and Office Manager and performs a wide variety of legal, administrative, and clerical functions. The person in this position requires minimum supervision and is allowed the flexibility to exercise a great deal of independent judgment in carrying out assigned duties. It is imperative that the incumbent in this position maintain an effective working relationship with court officials, APD staff, and members of the legal community.

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Drafting, editing, and preparing legal documents, pleadings, and court filings under the supervision of the Forensic Attorneys. Preparing and docketing legal documents with the Clerk of the Court and through the e-filing case management online system.

Assisting researching case histories utilizing the Florida Comprehensive Case Information System (CCIS) and working with Clerk of Courts to re-open cases. Conducting research and fact finding to assist in case preparation.

Establishing and maintaining active communications with stakeholders in the Forensic continuum (internal/external customers). Coordinating witnesses for court proceedings. Generating subpoenas and updating case management system from returns.

Maintaining and tracking internal case dockets, managing court calendars, maintaining litigation timetables, and monitoring the legal status/court dates, etc., of clients. Communicating and coordinating with appropriate staff regarding updated information and status changes.

Serving as the liaison between the Forensic Attorneys, APD staff, and court officials to resolve issues as appropriate and/or secure needed information / documents. Attending depositions, hearing, and/or trials to assist Forensic Attorneys.

Monitoring reports to the court to ensure timely and accurate submission of legal pleadings.

Working with attorneys in the General Counsel's office in order to handle administrative and/or clerical functions, including but not limited to: coordinating travel, processing travel reimbursements, arranging court reporters, and handling incoming and outgoing mail.

Performs reviews and redactions of forensic public record requests and distributes records to the requestor.

Develops and maintains a case management system for the Forensic Attorneys.

Maintain and update the Forensic case tracking information used by the attorneys weekly or more frequently as needed.

Distribute final documents (filed court reports, signed court orders, notice of hearings, etc.) to all relevant stakeholders.

Performing other related duties as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Ability to:

• Ability to collect, evaluate and analyze data within a legal environment.
• Ability to prepare correspondence and administrative reports.
• Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to utilize problem-solving techniques.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to work independently and meet critical deadlines.
• Ability to ensure the integrity of confidential information relating to cases and employees of the Agency.
• Ability to work in a paperless office environment.

Demonstrate Skills in:

• Skilled in ALL Microsoft Office programs (including Access, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint, and CRM to an advanced level.

Knowledge of:

• Knowledge of administrative principles and practices.
• Knowledge of office procedures and practices.
• Knowledge of the methods of data collection.
• Knowledge of the principles and techniques of effective communication.
• Knowledge of pertinent court documentation.
• Knowledge of civil and criminal court systems.
• Knowledge of document scanning and online file organization.
• Knowledge of HIPAA protected information for the purpose of redacting confidential information in discovery and public records requests.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Experience working in administrative professional setting.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

PROFILE COMPLETION

Applicants must complete all fields in the Candidate Profile, including their work history with the month and year, to qualify for this position.

Responses to Qualifying Questions must be verifiable in the Candidate Profile, and "see resume" will not be considered an acceptable response.

Resumes and other documentation can be attached to provide additional information, but these will not replace the required completed Candidate Profile.

RETIREE NOTICE

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be suspended or voided, and you will be required to repay all benefits received depending upon the date of your retirement.

DIRECT DEPOSIT PROGRAM

As a condition of employment, a person appointed to a position in the State Personnel System is required to participate in the Direct Deposit Program. Rather than receiving a paper paycheck, your funds will be deposited directly into your account at your financial institution. This will be accomplished by Electronic Funds Transfer. Banks, savings and loan associations, and credit unions are eligible to accept such deposits. Retirement funds are also required to be in the Direct Deposit Program.

BACKGROUND SCREENING REQUIREMENT

It is the policy of the Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities that applicants for employment undergo Level 2 employment screening in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, Florida Statutes, as a condition of employment or being permitted to serve as a volunteer.

No applicant for a designated position will be employed or permitted to volunteer until the Level 2 screening results are received, reviewed, and approved by the Agency.Level 2 background screening shall include, but not be limited to, fingerprinting for Statewide criminal and juvenile records checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and Federal criminal records checks through the Federal Bureau of Investigation and may include local criminal records checks through local law enforcement agencies.

Pursuant to S , Florida Statutes, this position requires a background investigation, including fingerprinting.

APD only hires U.S. citizens, and those lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. APD participates in the U.S. government's employment eligibility verification program (E-verify). E-verify is a program that electronically confirms an employee's eligibility to work in the U.S. after completing the employment eligibility verification form (I-9).

All applicants should complete the online application process. If assistance is needed to apply for this position, please call the people first service center at

Responses to the qualifying questions are required to be considered for this position. Answers to the qualifying questions must be verifiable based on your submitted application.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section , F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS' PREFERENCE. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans' Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. Candidates claiming Veterans' Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans' Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here. All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.