Legal Assistant | Tallahassee, FL

Protection Office of General Counsel Our Organization and Mission: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is the state’s lead agency for environmental management and stewardship - protecting our air, water and land. The vision of DEP is to create strong community partnerships, safeguard Florida’s natural resources and enhance its ecosystem.

The Work You Will Do: The Office of General Counsel is seeking to fill a Legal Assistant position. This position is housed under the administrative section of OGC and will be assigned four attorneys in the Contracts Section. This position will oversee the day-to-day duties of conducting a preliminary review of all the contracts and

grants prior to legal approval. The Difference You Will Make: The Office of General Counsel (OGC) provides legal counsel to and represents the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Board of Trustees for the Internal Improvement Trust Fund (Board).

OGC focuses on helping DEP and the Board accomplish Florida’s environmental priorities, such as restoring America’s Everglades, improving air quality, restoring and protecting the water quality in Florida’s Springs, lakes, rivers and coastal waters; conserving environmentally sensitive lands; and providing citizens and visitors with various recreational opportunities. How You Will Grow: DEP encourages its leaders to constantly

innovate and seek efficiencies. We believe in supporting and encouraging you as you take on important and often complex projects while offering you the opportunity to gain valuable experience quickly.

Where You Will Work: Tallahassee, Florida’s Capital City, lined with rolling hills, oak trees, and canopied roads combines a beautiful natural environment with a modern pace of life. It is no surprise that the City has received awards and accolades as being one of the top 10 cities in the south and recognized as a Tree City. Home to two major universities as well as state government, Tallahassee is a mid-sized city in the heart of Florida’s Big Bend.

Boasting proximity to the gulf coast, a diverse selection of springs, over 700 miles of trails, award winning cuisine, and located not far from larger cities, Tallahassee is a highly desirable location to live, play, and work. Also, with no state income tax, Florida is a great place to work regardless of where you are on the career ladder. The 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 ); Flexible Spending Accounts; Tuition waivers; And more!

For a more complete list of benefits, visit www. mybenefits.. Pay : $31,000.00 to $45,000.00-Salary will be commensurate with experience. Your Specific Responsibilities: The Legal Assistant will assist five attorneys in the Contracts and Grants section. The Legal Assistant will conduct a thorough preliminary review of all the contracts/grants prior to the contract/ grant being assigned to the attorney through the Contract sections Share Point site.

This position will also review and assign Purchase Orders (PO’s) using the current My Florida Market Place (MFMP) system to the appropriate attorney. The legal assistant will provide customer service to the various program areas in the Agency by fielding legal questions regarding contracts, grants, or purchase orders. Assisting each attorney within the section by monitoring their assigned contracts/grants for legal review and overseeing the sections annual contract/ grant template review.

This position will also be responsible for maintaining their attorneys’ calendars, scheduling meetings and will perform related administrative work as required. Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems Knowledge of legal terminology. Ability to comprehend and interpret information. Ability to research legal documents and legal references. Ability to record information accurately. Ability to perform legal writing. 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. Knowledge of administrative principles and practices. Knowledge of office procedures and practices. Ability to utilize problem-solving techniques. Ability to work independently. Required or Preferred Qualifications: A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university preferred or 3-5 years or more of administrative or legal experience. Preferred Qualifications: Florida Certified Contract Management training (FCCM) Prior legal assistant or clerical experience is preferred.

Specific Degree/Discipline (REQUIRED): A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university preferred or 3-5 years or more of administrative or legal experience. POSITION OF SPECIAL TRUST REQUIREMENT : This position is designated as a Position of Special Trust in accordance with DEP-422 (Positions of Special Trust or Responsibility). Any applicant being considered for employment must successfully complete a Level 2 State and National criminal history check as a condition of employment before beginning employment, and also be screened in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, F.

S. No applicant may begin employment until the background screening results are received, reviewed for any disqualifying offenses, and approved by the Agency. DEP is committed to successfully recruiting and onboarding talented and skilled individuals into its workforce. We recognize the extensive training, experience, and transferrable skills that veterans and individuals with disabilities bring to the workforce. Veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact our recruiter for guidance and answers to questions through the following email addresses: 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 -xyz X). 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. 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.