PARALEGAL SPECIALIST - 60065425

State of Florida; Bradenton (FL); On-site; USD 33,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Affordable health insurance

liberal sick leave & annual leave

Tuition waiver program

9 holidays

1 personal day

FRS Investment or Pension plan

Pre-tax & post-tax benefits

Job summary

The Florida Department of Children & Families - Children’s Legal Services Program is seeking a Paralegal Specialist to support lawyers in a team setting. You will prepare legal documents, schedule court events, file and serve documents, and assist with discovery under supervision.

Applicants should have a training program or degree in legal studies and at least two years of paralegal or legal secretarial experience.

Qualifications

• Completion of a training program to become a legal assistant, a paralegal, a legal paraprofessional or a lawyer's or attorney's assistant.
• A degree or certificate in legal technology, legal administration, legal studies or allied legal services.
• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in allied legal services.
• Two years of experience involving paralegal work; or two years of experience in legal secretarial work.

Responsibilities

• Preparing legal documents.
• Coordinating service of process.
• Maintaining case files.
• Maintaining court calendars.
• Maintaining litigation timetables.
• Filing pleadings and other legal documents with the clerk of court.
• Performing legal research for attorneys, subject to supervision.
• Coordinating inter-agency and intra-agency legal functions.
• Performing notary functions.
• Attending hearings to assist counsel.
• Assisting witnesses with court proceedings.
• Entering data timely and accurately into statewide databases.

Education

Training program to become a paralegal or legal assistant

Degree or certificate in legal technology, legal administration, legal studies or allied legal services

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in allied legal services

Two years of experience involving paralegal work

Two years of experience in legal secretarial work

Job description

Requisition No: 883912

Agency: Children and Families

Working Title: PARALEGAL SPECIALIST - 60065425

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 60065425

Salary: $37,000.08

Posting Closing Date: 09/25/2026

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Florida Department of Children & Families - Children’s Legal Services Program

Children’s Legal Services within the Department of Children and Families is growing! We are seeking a highly motivated and energetic individual to work in our Children's Legal Services Division, a premier statewide law firm. This is an excellent opportunity to work among an elite group of dedicated legal child advocates to ensure justice for the children of Florida.

We have excellent benefits including affordable health insurance plans & options, liberal sick leave and annual leave policy, and, a tuition waiver program through state colleges and universities. We offer 9 holidays and 1 personal day, FRS Investment or FRS Pension plan and numerous pre-tax and post-tax benefit options.

• affordable health insurance plans & options
• liberal sick leave and annual leave policy
• a tuition waiver program through state colleges and universities.
• 9 holidays
• 1 personal day
• FRS Investment or FRS Pension plan
• numerous pre-tax and post-tax benefit options

Description

Children’s Legal Services (CLS) paralegals assist lawyers in a team dynamic by preparing legal documents, scheduling court events, filing and serving legal documents, and preparing discovery. The work is challenging but incredibly rewarding.

Location

Manatee, Sarasota, or DeSotoCounties. Applicants interested in working in counties/cities other than Manatee, Sarasota, or DeSotoCounties will need to apply for positions advertised for those specific areas on the People First System.

Annual Salary

$37,000.08. Internal salary appointments are determined according to DCF Salary policy.

Job Responsibilities/Examples Of Work May Include

• Preparing legal documents;
• Coordinating service of process;
• Maintaining case files;
• Maintaining court calendars;
• Maintaining litigation timetables;
• Filing pleadings and other legal documents with the clerk of court;
• Performing legal research for attorneys, subject to supervision.
• Coordinating inter-agency and intra-agency legal functions.
• Performing notary functions;
• Attending hearings to assist counsel;
• Assisting witnesses with court proceedings; and
• Entering data timely and accurately into statewide databases.

Minimum 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
• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in allied legal services; or
• Two years of experience involving paralegal work; or
• Two years of experience in legal secretarial work.

Special Note

• Incumbents in this position may be required to transport files (up to 25 lbs.) to and from the courthouse regularly.
• Some Agency positions may require successful completion of pre-interview assessment or work sample prior to interview.
• Ability to speak/read/write Spanish/Creole/French or other foreign language may be considered in the selection process as determined by Agency need at time of interview.

BACKGROUND SCREENING REQUIREMENT: It is the policy of the Florida Department of Children and Families that any applicant being considered for employment must successfully complete a State and National criminal history check as a condition of employment before beginning employment, and, if applicable, also be screened in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, F.S., and Chapter 408, F.S. No applicant may begin employment until the background screening results are received, reviewed for any disqualifying offenses, and approved by the Agency. Background screening shall include, but not be limited to, fingerprinting for State and Federal criminal records checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and may include local criminal history checks through local law enforcement agencies.

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. All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.