Legal Assistant

This is a highly responsible paralegal and administrative position working for the City Attorney’s Office. Performs duties related to all aspects relating to a municipal organization, including administrative, clerical, and legal paraprofessional responsibilities. The candidate must communicate effectively and tactfully with the public and all levels of City employees and the City’s governing body. Position requires application of independent judgment and familiarity with City's operation and its policies and procedures. 

• Prepare, review, and organize legal documents including pleadings, motions, discovery, subpoenas, writs of garnishment, Risk Protection Orders, forfeitures, foreclosures, affidavits, correspondence, and related filings.
• File all legal documents and pleadings electronically through the Florida Court E-filing portal and federal court systems and monitor all court deadlines, hearing dates, and filing requirements
• Draft, serve, and respond to discovery (interrogatories, requests for production, and admissions).
• Track and manage garnishments, subpoenas, judgments, settlements, and other post-judgment collection activities.   
• Communicate with opposing counsel, court personnel, experts, and other third parties regarding case updates, legal process, and documentation needs. 

• Gather, review, and organize case documentation, evidence, discovery materials, exhibits, and litigation databases. 
• Assist with scheduling deposition, and scheduling court reporter, mediation, inspection, and trial coordination, including preparing binders, exhibit lists, witness lists, deposition summaries, and supporting materials.
• Review, route, scan, and process incoming legal mail, notices, and other correspondence. 
• Maintain accurate case files, spreadsheets, notes, calendars, deadlines, and supporting documentation.
• Conduct legal and factual research to support litigation strategy and case preparation. 
• Perform general administrative, case-management, and litigation support tasks as needed.
• Records City liens and satisfactions at the Clerk of Court. Research property information (liens etc.). 
• Drafts and finalizes ordinances and resolutions for the City and prepare accompanying reports to Council for City Council meetings.
• Schedules and maintains calendar to include mediations and including attendance at city's local board meetings and legal conferences. Schedules staff meetings as well as meetings with outside entities.
• Keeps files up to date and accurate. Maintains original documents. Performs administrative/clerical duties including updating legal books and periodicals, processing invoices, and monitoring the department's budget. Drafts routine memos or cover letters.
• Answers telephone calls and respond to inquiries and performs related work as required.
• Order office supplies as needed

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, AND SKILLS

• Knowledge of the operations and functions of a general law office. Knowledge of business English spelling and basic accounting. Knowledge of the principles and practices of office management.
• Ability to interpret rules, regulations, and policies and to use independent judgment in making decisions in accordance with established precedent. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and the public. Ability to type, the ability to transcribe materials using recording devices, according to the requirements of the hiring department.
• Skill in the use of standard office equipment and MS Office Suite software on personal computer equipment.

• High school graduate or equivalent diploma supplemented by secretarial training courses is required
• Three (3) to five (5) years' of progressively responsible legal secretarial experience.
• Associate's degree in business or general education is preferred.
•  A combination of education and experience may be considered.

Employee must be able to type 45 wpm and must have ability to transcribe material using recording devices, i.e. Dictaphone, when tested.

The work is generally sedentary to light and may require exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and up to 10 pounds frequently to move objects.
  
Additionally, the following physical abilities are required:

• Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing or crouching on narrow, slippery, or erratically moving surfaces.
• Fingering: Dexterity, primarily with fingers, as in picking, pinching, or typing.
• Grasping: Applying pressure with the whole hand.
• Handling: Picking, holding, or otherwise working, primarily with the whole hand.
• Hearing: Ability to hear and understand at normal speaking levels with or without correction.
• Kneeling: Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.
• Lifting: Ability to frequently lift and move objects.
• Mental Acuity: Ability to make rational decisions.
• Pushing/Pulling: Ability to occasionally move objects up to 50 lbs.
• Reaching: Ability to extend hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
• Repetitive Motion: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers.
• Speaking / Talking: Ability to communicate clearly, accurately and concisely through speech.
• Standing: Ability to stand for sustained periods of time.
• Stooping: Ability to bend body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist.
• Visual Acuity: Ability to perform activities such as preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; and/or extensive reading, operating motor vehicles; including color, depth perception, and field vision.
• Walking: Ability to move about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances and to move from one work are to another.

During occasions of local emergencies this position may be required to report to perform emergency tasks, which may result in extended work hours as well as extended periods of time away from family members. The Incident Commander and the employee's department Head will make the determination as to who will be required to work.
 

This job description is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills or working conditions associated with the position.  While it is intended to accurately reflect the position activities and requirements, management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties and assign other duties as necessary.  This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.  

E.O.E.  The City of Titusville prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.  

 Acknowledged and accepted:
 
 _____________________________________________________________
 Name & Date
.