JUSTICE ADMINISTRATIVE COMMISSION - PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR - 21013457

Florida; Tallahassee (FL); On-site; USD 57,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

The Justice Administrative Commission’s General Counsel’s Office seeks an experienced Legal Administrator to act as the administrative leader of JAC Legal, overseeing administrative and litigation support, and supervising non-lawyer staff while coordinating with attorneys to ensure efficient operations.

The ideal candidate has at least five years of progressively responsible administrative or legal operations experience, strong leadership, and proficiency with Microsoft Office and legal document

Qualifications

• Minimum five years of progressively responsible admin, legal assistant, paralegal, or related experience.
• Experience supervising staff, coordinating workflow, or leading projects.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office and PDF document management; able to learn new tech.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Administrator for the Legal Section.
• Provide administrative and litigation support to agency attorneys.
• Supervise, train, and develop non-lawyer legal staff; three Legal Assistants and one Paralegal.
• Manage workflow, performance expectations, and quality standards within the Legal Section.
• Meet regularly with the General Counsel to establish priorities and monitor projects.
• Manage calendars, meetings, agendas, minutes, and related logistics.
• Prepare drafts of correspondence, memoranda, contracts, reports, and legal documents.
• Maintain legal files, records, and document retention requirements.
• Track litigation and appellate case files.
• Serve as JAC’s Public Records Coordinator.
• Liaise for Legal Section technology and IT projects.
• Identify process improvements and recommend enhancements.
• Develop and maintain relationships with stakeholders throughout Florida's justice system.

Skills

Administrative experience

Staff supervision

Microsoft Office

Organizational skills

Tools

Laserfiche

Legal case tracking systems

Job description

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JUSTICE ADMINISTRATIVE COMMISSION - PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR - 21013457

Agency: Justice Administrative Commission

Working Title: JUSTICE ADMINISTRATIVE COMMISSION - PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR - 21013457

The Justice Administrative Commission (JAC) is a small state agency (< 100 employees) led by an Executive Director appointed by a commission. The commission consists of three State Attorneys, two Public Defenders, an attorney, and a member of the judiciary. JAC administratively serves Florida’s State Attorneys, Public Defenders, Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsels, Capital Collateral Regional Counsels, and the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Program. JAC also processes bills from private court-appointed attorneys representing indigent individuals throughout the state and associated vendors (court reporters, interpreters, investigators, and expert witnesses) to ensure compliance with Florida Statutes and JAC’s Contracts. JAC hires great people from a variety of backgrounds to develop comprehensive solutions for those we serve.

JAC's Vision: To be the model of exemplary state government. JAC's Mission: To support the administration of justice. JAC's Core Competencies:

• Administrative Service
• Communication and Collaboration
• Fiscal Accountability
• Continuous Improvement and Innovation

JAC's Core Values: We take great pride in exemplary service, adaptability, honesty, integrity, as well as respectful and ethical conduct.

Where You Will Work

JAC’s office is located in Tallahassee, Florida’s Capital City. Lined with rolling hills, oak trees, and canopied roads, Tallahassee combines old world charm with a modern pace of life. Home to two major universities, a state college, as well as state government, Tallahassee is a mid-sized city in the heart of Florida’s Big Bend. Close to Florida’s Gulf Coast and centrally located to popular tourist destinations, Tallahassee is a highly desirable location for both those seeking their first job and those ready to enter the next exciting chapter in their career. Also, with no state income tax, Florida is a great place to work regardless of where you are on the career ladder.

The Work You Will Do

The General Counsel’s Office seeks an experienced and highly organized Legal Administrator to serve as the administrative leader of JAC Legal. This position assists and supports JAC’s General Counsel and attorneys in the execution of a variety of administrative and legal support functions while supervising the non-lawyer staff within the Legal Section. This is a highly responsible position requiring independent judgment, strong leadership, and the ability to manage multiple priorities with limited supervision.

The Legal Administrator serves as the central coordinator for legal operations and is responsible for supporting attorneys with administrative and litigation-related activities, managing the General Counsel’s calendar and meeting logistics, maintaining legal records, coordinating travel, overseeing public records requests, supervising legal support staff, and serving as a liaison for technology initiatives affecting the Legal Section.

JAC leverages technology in continually evolving ways to efficiently support legal operations. The successful candidate must be comfortable learning and implementing new technology solutions, training staff, and adapting work processes to improve efficiency and service delivery.

Primary Responsibilities Include

• Serving as Administrator for the Legal Section.
• Providing administrative and litigation support to agency attorneys.
• Supervising, training, and developing non-lawyer legal staff; three Legal Assistants and one Paralegal.
• Managing workflow, performance expectations, and quality standards within the Legal Section.
• Meeting regularly with the General Counsel to establish priorities and monitor projects.
• Managing calendars, meetings, agendas, minutes, and related logistics.
• Preparing drafts of correspondence, memoranda, contracts, reports, and legal-related documents.
• Maintaining legal files, records, and document retention requirements.
• Tracking litigation and appellate case files.
• Serving as JAC’s Public Records Coordinator.
• Acting as liaison for Legal Section technology and IT projects.
• Identifying process improvements and recommending operational enhancements.
• Developing and maintaining professional relationships with stakeholders throughout Florida's justice system.

Work-Life Balance

JAC encourages employees to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Flexible schedules and/or hybrid on-site and remote work options may be available for employees in good standing.

The Difference You Will Make

At JAC, you will play a key leadership role in supporting the administration of justice throughout Florida. Your efforts will help ensure that legal operations function efficiently, staff are properly supported and trained, and attorneys have the administrative resources necessary to effectively serve Florida’s justice-related entities.

To support employees, JAC offers multiple professional growth opportunities, including participation in the Certified Public Manager program, Six Sigma training, leadership development opportunities, and other relevant professional education. JAC also prides itself on providing state-of-the-art information technology services and equipment.

Benefits of Working for the State of Florida

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package includes:

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year
• Comprehensive health, life, dental, vision, and supplemental insurance options
• Florida Retirement System (FRS) retirement plans with employer contributions
• Flexible Spending AccountsTuition waivers for participating state colleges and universities
• Additional employee benefits and professional development opportunities

JAC is a member of the Florida Retirement System and participates in the State Group Insurance Plan. However, JAC is not part of the State Personnel System.

Pay

Salary Range for the position: $57,000-$105,000 annually

Expected Hiring Range: This position will be hired at or near the minimum with an expected period of training in the foundations of the agency, legal section, and reporting positions and gradually taking on all of the duties of the position over the first year.

This position offers significant opportunities for professional growth and advancement within the agency. JAC invests in the professional development and training of all employees.

Education and Experience Requirements

Applicants must have:

• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible administrative, legal assistant, paralegal, legal operations, or related professional experience.
• Experience supervising staff, coordinating workflow, or leading projects.
• Excellent organizational, communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and PDF document management.
• The ability to quickly learn and effectively utilize new software, hardware, and technology solutions.
• The ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.

Preference may be given to candidates with:

• Experience working in a legal office environment.
• Knowledge of court documents, legal procedures, and records management practices.
• Experience with state government operations.
• Experience implementing process improvements or leveraging technology to improve efficiency.
• Familiarity with document management systems such as Laserfiche and legal case tracking systems.

Employees of the General Counsel’s Office have access to confidential legal and financial information. The successful applicant will therefore be required to submit to a Level 2 (state and national) background check.