PARALEGAL SPECIALIST (OFFICE OF FINANCIAL REGULATION) – 43004456

Requisition No: 810879

Agency: Financial Services

Working Title: PARALEGAL SPECIALIST (OFFICE OF FINANCIAL REGULATION) – 43004456

Position Number: 43004456

Salary: $40,000.00 – $55,000.00

Posting Closing Date: 09/08/2023

*****OPEN COMPETITIVE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY*****

DIVISION: OFFICE OF FINANCIAL REGULATION

BUREAU: OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL

CITY: FLEXIBLE

COUNTY: FLEXIBLE

SPECIAL NOTES:

This position is being advertised Statewide.

The Office of Financial Regulation (OFR) is responsible for licensing, chartering, examining, and regulating depository and non-depository financial institutions and financial service companies, including state-chartered banks, credit unions, trust companies, loan originators, mortgage lenders, securities dealers, investment advisors, consumer collection agencies and money transmitters throughout the state of Florida.

The Office of General Counsel (OGC) is organized by Administrative and Civil Litigation Services, Legal Consultation and Regulatory Services, and Internal Agency Services. The incumbent of this position may be assigned to assist one or more areas from time-to-time in support of the mission of the OFR.

The OFR operates from five (5) different office facilities throughout the state of Florida, including Tallahassee (Headquarters), Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and West Palm Beach. The OFR may consider any of these office locations as the primary reporting office location.

OFR a is professional office environment with a public service-driven mission.

Visit our website at https://www.flofr.gov/sitePages/CareerOpportunities.htm to learn more about the excellent benefits available to OFR employees, including:

• Flexible work schedules for most positions.
• Paid holidays and an annual personal holiday.
• Paid vacation and sick leave.
• Excellent health & life insurance options for individuals and/or family coverage.
• Additional supplemental insurances available such as dental, vision, disability, etc.
• Tax deferred medical and Dependent Care Benefit reimbursement accounts available.
• Deferred Compensation opportunities.
• Tuition waivers to attend state universities/community colleges.
• Retirement plans and options.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

All applicants seeking employment with the OFR are subject to mandatory background checks conducted through the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Bureau of Human Resource Management in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, F.S. and reviews by OFR. Applicants may be disqualified for employment with OFR based on the information that may be obtained through research and/or OFR’s review process.

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.

Requirements:

• A bachelor’s degree with a major or minor in English, Legal Studies; OR An Associate of Arts Degree in Paralegal Studies and two (2) years of professional experience relating to courts, legal contracts, legal research, trial preparation, or legal offices; OR A Florida Registered or Certified Paralegal Certification from an accredited college or university and three (3) years of professional experience relating to courts, legal contracts, legal research, trial preparation, or legal offices; OR Four (4) years of professional experience relating to courts, legal contracts, legal research, trial preparation, or legal offices

• Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, TEAMS and Adobe Acrobat Professional experience.

Preference will be given for the following:

• A Florida Registered or Certified Paralegal Certification.
• A Bachelor’s degree with a major or minor in English, Legal Studies, or Associate of Arts in Paralegal Studies
• A Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from an ABA-accredited law school
• Experience in securities, financial services or financial institutions.
• Working experience with the Florida Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH), and Chapter 120, Florida Statutes, and Chapter 28-106, Florida Administrative Code.
• Working experience with legal terminology, legal procedure, and drafting legal documents

The anticipated annual salary range for this position is $40,000.00 to $55,000.00. The starting salary shall be commensurate with the selected candidate’s competencies and qualifications.

Employees of the Department of Financial Services are paid on a monthly pay cycle.

This position requires a security background check, including fingerprint as a condition of employment.

Responses to qualifying questions must be clearly supported by the state application and any omission, falsification, or misrepresentation in the answering of the qualifying questions will be cause for immediate elimination from the selection process.

Minimum Qualifications for this position include the following REQUIRED ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

1. Knowledge of law, legal terminology, and legal procedures.
2. Ability to understand and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
3. Ability to research legal documents and legal references.
4. Ability to draft legal pleadings and related documents.
5. Ability to conduct fact-finding interviews, research and prepare reports.
6. Ability to comprehend and interpret information.
7. Ability to prioritize and multitask work assignments.
8. Ability to utilize problem-solving techniques.
9. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
10. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
11. Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
12. Must be computer literate and familiar with Microsoft software (including Word, Excel, Outlook, Power Point and Teams) and Adobe Acrobat Professional.

OTHER KSAs (Incumbent may learn on job):

• Effectively utilize agency hardware and software programs including proficient utilization of the REAL system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

The Office of General Counsel (OGC) is structured by Administrative and Civil Litigation Services, Legal Consultation and Regulatory Services, and Internal Agency Services. The incumbent of this position may be assigned to assist one or more areas from time-to-time in support of the mission of the Office of Financial Regulation (OFR). The incumbent may be required to specialize in the laws affecting one or more areas under the jurisdiction of the OFR including but not limited to financial institutions, securities regulation, and consumer finance related regulation.

Specific duties include, but are not limited to:

• Assists agency attorneys with preparing, reviewing, proofing, and editing legal documents and responsive pleadings, such as administrative complaints, deposition summaries, orders, motions, notices, memoranda, briefs, subpoenas, opinions, agreements and correspondence, discovery documents, including interrogatories, request for admissions, and request for production, filings, and service of legal documents; examines all documents to ensure accuracy and completeness of information and conformity with administrative and judicial rules, and ensures compliance with state and federal rules of court, may conduct factual investigations, prepare statistical or data compilations as needed.
• Assist attorneys with preparation for civil or administrative litigation, such as witness notification, conduct preliminary witness interviews, and preparation of trial notebooks, exhibits and visual aids in preparation for trial. Attend hearings to assist attorneys.
• Performs legal research under the supervision of the Attorney Supervisor.
• Assist the Attorney Supervisor in monitoring assignments with respect to applicable timeframes.
• The incumbent will learn and effectively utilize the Regulatory Enforcement and Licensing (REAL) System to assist attorneys with time-tracking, case tracking and documentation
• Other duties as assigned

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 upon the date of your retirement.

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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.

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.