Job Description

Requisition No: 873248

Agency: Justice Administrative Commission

Working Title: GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE, 5TH CIRCUIT- LEGAL SECRETARY - 21012734

Pay Plan: Justice Admin Comm.

Position Number: 21012734

Salary: $33,760.01

Posting Closing Date: 05/30/2026

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STATEWIDE GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE

Legal Secretary

IMPORTANT! – Please navigate to the following website: www.guardianadlitem.org to apply for this position:

• Click on the “Career Opportunities” icon.
• Scroll down to the link, “Submit Your Guardian ad Litem Employment Application Here.”
• Complete the “mini” job application and attach your current resume.
• Select MARION COUNTY for the job location

OR

• Email your mini application and resume directly to C5.Apps@gal.fl.gov

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION AND THE OPPORTUNITY

The Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office is Florida’s award-winning, state-funded child advocacy organization that provides independent legal representation to abused, abandoned and neglected children in Florida’s dependency court proceedings. The Office upholds the highest standards of integrity, excellence and child centered representation. The Guardian ad Litem Legal Secretary performs a variety of secretarial, administrative support, and clerical duties for Attorneys in a local GAL Circuit office. The Legal Secretary works independently under the general supervision of the Circuit Director or Managing Attorney and must exercise discretion with sensitive and confidential information. More information about the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office can be found at www.guardianadlitem.org

As an employee with the State of Florida, your benefits are a significant part of your compensation with 19 percent of your total compensation coming from the benefits that the State offers. As a full-time employee, your insurance rate will be significantly low due to the contribution of the State of Florida. In fact, single coverage is as low as $50 per month, with family coverage costing only $180 per month. While the rates are higher for halftime employees, health insurance options are still available if you are in a salaried position.

BENEFITS OF WORKING FOR THE GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE:

• State of Florida Retirement package – Pension or investment plan (3% employee contribution required)
• State group insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options
• Flexible spending account
• Nine paid state holidays each calendar year
• One paid personal holiday each fiscal year
• 13 paid sick leave days accrued within the calendar year
• 13 paid annual leave days accrued within the calendar year with an increase after five years
• Life insurance of $25,000 is provided by the state at no cost to you for all FTE positions. Employees may purchase additional coverage
• Public Loan Forgiveness Program
• State tuition waivers

ABOUT THE WORK

• The legal secretary is responsible for composing and typing correspondence, detailed reports and charts, memoranda, etc., using a personal computer.
• The legal secretary is also responsible for establishing and maintaining a comprehensive office filing system, preparing travel arrangements, scheduling meetings, and preparing materials for supervisor's use.
• A variety of working relationships are established within the Guardian ad Litem Office, and in state courts system personnel, vendors, judges and non-judicial officers, and the general public.
• The legal secretary works independently and must exercise discretion in dealing with confidential and sensitive information.
• Work is performed under general supervision of the Supervising Attorney.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING GUIDELINES

• Must have a standard high school diploma or equivalent and three years of administrative support experience, one year of which was in a Legal Secretary, Administrative Specialist II or comparable position preferred.
• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university, two-year college or vocational school may substitute for the recommended experience on a year for year basis.

(The Executive Director or designee may waive the required training and experience requirements.)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems.
• Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Knowledge of computer software applications including Outlook, Excel and Word. Ability to talk to others and convey information.
• Ability to respond patiently with the general public.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality concerning sensitive information.

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS at 1-844-377-1888 on how your current benefits may 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.

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.