GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE, 5TH CIRCUIT- PARALEGAL SPECIALIST - 21020019

My Florida CFO; Ocala (FL); On-site; USD 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

State retirement package

Health, life, dental, vision insurance

Flexible spending account

Nine paid state holidays

One paid personal holiday

13 paid sick leave days

13 paid annual leave days

Life insurance $25,000

Public Loan Forgiveness Program

State tuition waivers

Job summary

Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office in Florida seeks a Paralegal Specialist to support attorneys in our 5th Circuit. You will handle cite checks, case management, and drafting pleadings under supervision, helping to uphold the agency’s commitment to representing abused and neglected children.

The role requires a training program in paralegal studies or a related degree, solid knowledge of legal citation and procedure, and strong organizational skills.

Qualifications

• Completion of a training program to become a legal assistant, paralegal, legal paraprofessional or lawyer's/attorney's assistant.
• Degree or certificate in legal technology, legal administration, legal studies or allied legal services.
• Graduation from a school of law; waiver may be offered by the Executive Director or designee.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Knowledge of legal citation

Knowledge of legal terminology

Knowledge of law and legal procedure

Ability to communicate effectively

Ability to maintain files

Education

Training program to become a legal assistant/paralegal

Degree or certificate in legal technology/administration/studies

Graduation from a school of law

Job description

GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE, 5TH CIRCUIT- PARALEGAL SPECIALIST - 21020019

Date: Aug 17, 2026

The State Personnel System is an E-Verify employer. For more information click on ourE-Verify Website .

Requisition No:881700

Agency: Justice Administrative Commission

Working Title: GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE, 5TH CIRCUIT- PARALEGAL SPECIALIST - 21020019

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION AND THE OPPORTUNITY

The Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office is Florida’s award-winning, state-funded child advocacy organization that provides independent legal representation to abused, abandoned and neglected children in Florida’s dependency court proceedings. The Office upholds the highest standards of integrity, excellence and child-centered representation. The Guardian ad Litem Paralegal Specialist performs a variety of secretarial, administrative support, and clerical duties for Attorneys in a local GAL Circuit office. The Paralegal Specialist works independently under the general supervision of the Managing Attorney or Circuit Director and must exercise discretion with sensitive and confidential information. More information about the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office can be found at www.guardianadlitem.org

As an employee with the State of Florida, your benefits are a significant part of your compensation with 19 percent of your total compensation coming from the benefits that the State offers. As a full-time employee, your insurance rate will be significantly low due to the contribution of the State of Florida. In fact, single coverage is as low as $50 per month, with family coverage costing only $180 per month.

While the rates are higher for halftime employees, health insurance options are still available if you are in a salaried position.

BENEFITS OF WORKING FOR THE GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE:

State of Florida Retirement package – 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 with an increase after five years
• Life insurance of $25,000 is provided by the state at no cost to you for all FTE positions. Employees may purchase additional coverage
• Public Loan Forgiveness Program
• State tuition waivers

ABOUT THE WORK

The Paralegal 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 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.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

• Completion of a training program to become a legal assistant, a paralegal, a legal paraprofessional or a 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; or

( The Executive Director or designee may waiver the required training and experience)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• 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.

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS at 1-844-377-1888 on how your current benefits may be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended, or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.

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 (1-866-663-4735). 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 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

For assistance, call the People First Service Center at [phone] Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Eastern time. Pursuant to Florida Law, 110.211 F. S., the State of Florida is an EEO employer.