Legal Assistant (0757) (Remote)

Work for Our Water Resources.

Help protect one of Florida’s most vital resources — water — with a career at the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District).

The District is a government agency whose mission is to protect water resources, minimize flood risks, and ensure the public’s water needs are met. We serve a population of nearly 6 million people in west-central Florida as directed by state law.

Join our Office of General Counsel

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District), a leader in protecting water resources, is seeking a Legal Assistant in support of the Office of the General Counsel (OGC). This individual will provide administrative support for approximately six attorneys who work on a wide range of legal and administrative tasks. The successful candidate will be responsible not only for general administrative duties but also for assisting with legal document preparation, managing calendars, and coordinating important activities, among other things.

Due to the nature of the work, the Legal Assistant must have experience working with multiple people with diverse priorities. The successful candidate must have strong organizational skills, attention to detail, dependability, and a solid work ethic. Legal experience is preferred. The candidate should have excellent verbal and written communication skills. Samples of written material may be requested before an interview. A professional and polite attitude is also necessary for effective internal and external communication. If you have the necessary skills and desire to work in a collaborative environment on a wide range of issues with a diverse group of professionals, then you are the perfect candidate.

The District supports employees who prefer flexible schedule or a remote work schedule so that they can enjoy their time outside of the District through work-life balance. This role is considered hybrid, which means the employee will be required to come on-site for periodic meetings and work a portion of their time remotely (must live in Florida). Come build a career that is challenging, fulfilling, and helps support the District’s mission to protect Florida’s water resources.

District employees are offered an excellent total rewards package that includes:

• Florida Retirement System (FRS) District Total Contribution 13.63%
• 9 paid holidays (+ 1 floating holiday)
• Generous vacation and sick leave
• Paid Parental Leave, including Maternity, Bonding and Family Supportive Work Program
• Medical and dental insurance (91- 97% District paid)
• Vision insurance
• Deferred compensation Program
• Basic and voluntary life and AD&D insurance
• Long-term disability (District Paid)
• Prescription drug coverage & mail order program
• Health savings & flexible spending accounts
• Flexible schedule for Work-life balance
• Legal and Identity Theft protection
• Wellness program
• Public service loan forgiveness qualified employer
• Tuition reimbursement ($5,250/year)
• State adoption benefit qualified employer
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Transfer in years of service for other public sector work – towards the FRS program and sick time
  
  

Starting Compensation:

Legal Assistant $38,188.80 - $48,811.06

Senior Legal Assistant $40,705.60 - $52,000.00

The starting salary range for the Administrative Support Specialist position reflects the minimum to 50.6% of the compensation. The starting salary will be based on the education and experience of the successful candidate. The District conducts annual performance evaluations that may award applicable pay increases based on positive employee performance.

Essential Functions

• Answering TEAM calls, transferring calls, and taking messages for appropriate staff.
• Process financial and procurement documents (e.g. receivers, purchase requisitions, contracts, purchase orders, receivers, and payment requests).
• Schedule meetings, training, etc. using Outlook calendar.
• Notice through the proper protocol all necessary events and meetings.
• Book local and overnight travel for staff.
• Data entry and record keeping including scanning, copying, compiling hard copies, and electronic files.
• Prepare and compile files for responses to requests for information.
• Compilation of material for notebooks for legal proceedings.
• Scan and shred documents; prepare final files for records retention.
• Coordinate printing requests, as needed.
• Order office supplies; handle all mailing, including mail distribution.
• Complete initial drafts or templates of legal documents, including some discovery requests, basic motions, notices, letters, and other documents as needed.
• Communicate with court personnel regarding pending litigation and scheduling.
• Conduct legal research for rules of civil procedure, court procedures, and other basic legal research and analysis.
• Develop contract, pleadings, discovery, notice, and other templates from attorney provided source documents.
• Formatting documents in Word, Excel, PDF, and Sharepoint.
• Proofread attorney-drafted documents.
• Handling confidential and sensitive legal information with discretion.
• Other administrative tasks and duties, as assigned.
  
  

Working Conditions

Employee works in a standard office environment. Performs continuous repetitive tasks (to include keyboarding) with one or both hands. Occasionally lifts and carries objects up to 10 pounds. Occasionally requires bending and reaching above shoulder level. Possible travel to other offices. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Employee may be subject to call-in outside of regularly scheduled work hours, or required to be on call, including on nights, weekends or holidays, to respond to emergency management activities or other incidents requiring rapid response in support of District operations.

Required Credentials For Legal Assistant

Legal Assistant

• High School Diploma or equivalent and Ten (10) years related work experience OR Associates Degree (or higher) from an accredited college or university and Eight (8) years related work experience OR Bachelors degree (or higher) from an accredited college or university and Six (6) years related work experience
• Valid driver’s license
  
  

Senior Legal Assistant

• High School Diploma or equivalent and Eleven (11) years related work experience OR Associates Degree (or higher) from an accredited college or university and Nine (9) years related work experience OR Bachelors degree (or higher) from an accredited college or university and Seven (7) years related work experience
• Valid driver’s license
  
  

Preferred Credentials For Legal Assistant

• Experience using Advantage Financial Software
• Previous work experience in a legal profession, including experience filing documents with a court filing system
• Experience with Adobe Pro
• Experience with TEAMS, Sharepoint, and OneDrive
  
  

Application Process

The District will determine eligibility for employment solely from the information provided on a District employment application. All applicants are required to complete, in full, the District employment application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. A resume will not be considered as a substitute for the required District application for the purpose of qualification. Applicants who are within 30 days of graduation, if selected are not allowed to start until all minimum qualifications are met.

Additional Details

The primary work location for this position is out of the Tampa, Florida office, however remote work is available after initial training. This position is eligible for overtime for hours worked over 40 hours, in a week.

Travel Required

Yes. Some travel, using District vehicle, within District's coverage area.

Accepting applications until July 17, 2024 at 4:00 PM

About Us

The District is responsible for managing the water resources for west central Florida which includes approximately 10,000 square miles of territory spanning 16 counties and serving more than 6 million residents. Established in 1961 as a flood-protection agency, our objective is to meet the needs of current and future water users, protect and preserve our water resources, manage the water supply, protect water quality, and preserve water-related functions.

Apply Now

Start and grow your career with the District! The District prides itself on providing a positive work environment that engages and supports our employees through flexible and remote work schedules. We provide and support learning and development for staff at all levels including conferences, association memberships, and formal education. Let us know if you have previous public sector experience that may allow for additional perks! Click on the link to apply.

#WorkForOurWater

Equal Employment Opportunity/Veterans Preference/Drug-Free Workplace/Tobacco Free Campuses.

All applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment in employment without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, marital status, familial status, or medical condition. All recruitment, hiring, placements, transfers and promotions will be on the basis of individual skills, knowledge and abilities, and the feasibility of any necessary job accommodation(s).

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) does not discriminate on the basis of disability in regard to job application procedures, hiring, and other terms and conditions of employment. It is further the policy of the District to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in all aspects of the employment process. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to the Human Resources Office Chief, at 2379 Broad St., Brooksville, FL 34604-6899; telephone (352) 796-7211 or 1-800-423-1476 (FL only); or email ADACoordinator@WaterMatters.org. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1-800-955-8771 (TDD) or 1-800-955-8770 (Voice). In the event of a complaint, please follow the grievance procedure located at WaterMatters.org/ADA.

The District participates in E-Verify employment eligibility verification. We will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

The District does not sponsor applicants for work visas.