PARALEGAL SPECIALIST - SES - 1

Company: State of Florida
Location: Largo
Posted on: May 24, 2023

Job Description:

Requisition No: 792335

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: PARALEGAL SPECIALIST - SES - 64051925 1

Position Number: 64051925

Salary: $40,000

Posting Closing Date: 05/18/2023

Thank you for your interest in career opportunities with the Florida Department of Health. If you're looking to build a great career in public health - you've come to the right place. Many of our innovative and successful health programs are recognized throughout Florida. We hope you decide to join this team and make the Florida Department of Health your employer of choice.

The Department of Health's mission is to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.

Paralegal Specialist

The Paralegal Specialist position will be a regional position working in the West Central Florida Legal Consortium Office. The Consortium is made up of legal professionals serving nine county health departments of the Florida Department of Health, including Citrus, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Sumter Counties. The position will report to the Consortium's Chief Legal Counsel and to the Office of General Counsel of the Florida Department of Health. The host county is Pinellas County. The assigned office headquarters is 8751 Ulmerton Road, Suite 1300,Largo, Florida 33771.

The Office of General Counsel and the West Central Florida Legal Consortium Office promote an atmosphere of professionalism, engagement, professional growth and collegiality in a work environment in which staff are encouraged to bring their professional and personal expertise to the workplace. Professional enhancement and continuing legal education are supported and highly encouraged.

This position will serve nine county health departments and support the Chief Legal Counsel and Senior Attorneys. Tasks will include the review of subpoenas and requests for confidential and public records materials, assessing the confidentiality of materials, and coordinating disclosure under the supervision of an attorney. The Paralegal Specialist
will also prepare pleadings and motions and correspondence in state, federal, or administrative proceedings under the supervision of an attorney. Familiarity with Florida Statutes, to include laws regarding public records as well as state and federal medical privacy laws is essential to the position.

The position will also involve interaction with other Health Department staff, law enforcement, and the courts. Experience as a paralegal in a governmental practice, a private law firm, or with the courts and completion of a paralegal studies certificate program is preferred.

This is a highly responsible, professional position and will require a high degree of independence and initiative. This position may require local or regional travel and occasional weekend and evening hours.

Responsibilities include:
--- Preparing legal documents for state and federal court and administrative proceedings
--- Maintaining computerized case tracking system of cases assigned and as requested by attorney
--- Legal and public records research as directed by Chief Legal Counsel
--- Preparing motions, pleadings, and related legal documents such as subpoenas, summons, objections, and correspondence under the supervision of Chief Legal Counsel
--- Preparing necessary correspondence, case reports, Power Point training presentations, and other written documents under the supervision of Chief Legal Counsel
--- Ordering office supplies, coordinating office needs, filing of documents, and maintaining and archiving legal files as directed
--- Telephone communication and messaging
--- Reviewing, redacting confidential information, and responding to medical record and public record requests
--- Supporting the staff training objectives established by Chief Legal Counsel, including development and provision of training on various subjects for Health Department employees
--- Attending and gathering continuing legal education credits as required by Office of General Counsel or Chief Legal Counsel
--- Attending and coordinating team meetings and supportive activities

Knowledge. Skills, and Abilities necessary for this position
--- Knowledge of or interest in public health principles, practices, and techniques.
--- Familiarity with state and federal public records laws and medical records confidentiality laws
--- Ability to work with both internal and external clients and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others, from clerks to physicians, nurses, lawyers and judges
--- Ability to organize and coordinate work assignments.
--- Ability to communicate verbally and in writing
--- Computer literacy, including ability to use Westlaw, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint
--- Familiarity with judicial on-line filing systems
--- Ability to interpret and apply complex regulations

Licensure. Certification, or Registration Requirements
--- Paralegal certificate, degree or equivalent working experience in a Paralegal position
--- Florida Drivers' License or the ability to obtain one within 30 days of employment.

Desirable Qualifications:
--- At least two years' of experience working as a paralegal or equivalent in a private or governmental legal office environment

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 for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:
--- Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
--- Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year;
--- State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options;
--- Retirement plan options, including employer contributions
(For more information, please click www.myfrs.com);
--- Flexible Spending Accounts;
--- Tuition waivers;
--- And more!
For a more complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

*Note: Your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process. Please do not state "see resume" on qualifying questions below.

Incumbents may be required to perform emergency duty before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days.

Current State Employees - Salary for current employees is based on employee's current payband/ paygrade.

Only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers will be hired.

Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962 will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Services System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. For more information, visit http://www.sss.gov.

The successful candidate will be required to complete the Form I-9 and that information will be verified using the E-Verify system. E-Verify is operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration to verify employment eligibility.

This position requires a security background check and/or drug screening and participation in direct deposit. Any misrepresentations or omissions will disqualify you from employment consideration. Note: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) to conduct this background check.

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 canceled, suspended, or deemed ineligible depending on the date of your retirement.

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 (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.

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