Legal Assistant (Wt: Paralegal Specialist Ii) - 76005267

The Organization

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) provides highway safety and security through excellence in service, education, and enforcement. With a workforce of approximately 4,500 employees throughout the state, the Department is leading the way to A Safer Florida through the efficient and professional execution of its core mission: the issuance of driver licenses, vehicle tags and titles, and operation of the Florida Highway Patrol.  

Our Benefits include

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  Paid Parental Leave 

  
  

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  Annual and Sick Leave Package 

  
  

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  Nine Paid Holidays 

  
  

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  State Health and Life Insurance 

  
  

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  Educational Benefits 

  
  

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  Contributory Retirement Plan 

  
  

To learn more about FLHSMV and why it’s a great place to work, visit our website at: flhsmv.gov/careers.   

If you're seeking employment with a meaningful mission, opportunities for skill growth and career advancement, competitive medical and life insurance, retirement benefits, ample vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, and educational assistance, consider building your career at FLHSMV!  

Duties and Responsibilities

This Paralegal Specialist position reports directly to the Chief Counsel for Driver Licenses. As the Paralegal for the Driver License Legal Section, you will provide assistance to attorneys handling Department civil and appellate litigation. Duties and responsibilities will include; Preparing drafts of legal documents to include pleadings, orders, motions, memoranda of law and other legal correspondence. Performing legal research and data collection, managing attorney calendars and tracking deadlines. Maintaining litigation files in the case management system, filing litigation documents with clerks of court and/ or judges, and requesting and scheduling hearings with courts.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of court filing requirements.

• Knowledge of proper preparation of court pleadings and legal correspondence.

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, computer skills, and the aptitude to learn new software.

• Skills in organization and the ability to work independent of close supervision.

• Ability to conduct legal and general research.

• Ability to work in a fast- paced, deadline driven environment, where attention to detail is crucial.

• Ability to effectively interact with all customers with courtesy and professionalism. 

• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of information.

Preferred Qualifications

• Preference will also be given to applicants who have experience:

• Two years’ experience working in a legal office as a paralegal and/ or administrative assistant.

• One year experience drafting legal documents.

• Court filing requirements.

• Online legal research tools. 

• Civil, appellate, or administrative litigation.

• State travel rules and regulations.

• Scheduling/ managing calendars.

Job Related Requirements 

• The position you are applying is subject to a Level 2 background check, along with Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) clearance, to include a fingerprint-based check of the criminal records of the FBI, as a condition of employment pursuant to Chapter 110.1127, 435 and 943, Florida Statutes.  Please note that, since this position requires CJIS clearance, the Department will have access to all an applicant’s criminal and juvenile delinquency records, even those that have been sealed or expunged. 

General Information

• The state of Florida hires only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers. All selected applicants are required to provide identification and either proof of U.S. citizenship or proof of authorization to work in the U.S. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) does not participate in employment sponsorship for work visa status (e.g., H-1B) or for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT, STEM OPT).

• Applicants being considered for employment will be required to submit to a fingerprint-based background investigation, which will include a check of the criminal history records of the FBI.  Fingerprints and associated information/biometrics will be retained in the FBI’s Next Generation Identification (NGI) system and fingerprints may continue to be compared against fingerprints submitted to or retained by NGI.

• In accordance with Section 110.1128, Florida Statutes, male applicants who were required to register with the Selective Service System must provide proof of registration or documentation verifying exemption status during the hiring process.

• The elements of the selection process may include a skill assessment and/or oral interview.


• FLHSMV employees are paid once a month on the last workday of each month.  All state employees are required to participate in the direct deposit program pursuant to s. 110.113 Florida Statutes.