Legal Assistant

Join the Indian River State College Team – Exceptional Benefits Await You!

At Indian River State College, you’ll do more than just build a career—you’ll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by supporting our students, staff, and faculty. In return, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to promote your well-being, secure your future, and enhance your work-life balance.

Comprehensive Health Coverage

We prioritize your health with Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending Plans, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Life insurance and Supplemental plans to help you stay physically and mentally well with access to essential wellness resources.

We offer PPO and HMO plans with an affordable cost. (PPO/HMO option with $50 per month for individual coverage and $180 per month for family coverage)

Retirement Plans for a Secure Future

Plan for a bright future with our robust retirement options, rarely matched in the private sector. Secure your financial future with state retirement options through the Florida Retirement System (FRS) and additional investment opportunities like tax-deferred annuities and Roth 403(b) plans.

Generous Paid Time Off

Enjoy a healthy work-life balance with ample vacation, personal, and sick leave. Recharge and return to work refreshed and motivated.

Employee Discounts: Enjoy exclusive discounts on various services, including tickets to popular attractions in the area.

Professional Growth Opportunities

Build your career with purpose by engaging in meaningful projects and professional development opportunities. Indian River State College provides the tools and support needed to help you reach your full potential.

JOB SUMMARY:

Under the general direction of the General Counsel, this position provides a broad range of paraprofessional, technical, and administrative support services in a fast-paced, high-volume legal environment. Supports the full spectrum of legal matters impacting the College and plays a key role in ensuring the efficient operation of the Office of the General Counsel. Works independently and collaborates across departments to address and make recommendations on complex inquiries from all levels of administration, faculty, staff, and external stakeholders. These inquiries may relate to state and federal laws, as well as College and campus policies, procedures, and complaints. Manages the administrative and legal operations of the General Counsel’s Office, while exercising sound judgment and maintaining absolute discretion in handling highly sensitive and confidential information. A  broad and thorough understanding of or the ability to research and apply relevant College policies, procedures, operations, and applicable laws is essential.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Prepares, proofreads, and reviews materials such as legal documents, contracts, amendments, and resolutions to ensure accuracy of information, clarity of language, conformance to standard legal style, consistency between clauses and/or provisions, verification of accuracy and pertinence of citations and code references through use of computer research, and other legal references; verifies completeness of appropriate supporting documentation; notes necessary changes, additions, deletions, and corrections for review and approval by the General Counsel.
• Researches and analyzes federal and state laws and regulations, court decisions, legal documents, and policies for use in preparing legal documents, opinions, contracts, ordinances, and resolutions under the direct supervision of the General Counsel.
• Develops and manages intake and records management systems, to track legal requests from all external and internal users and ensure a timely response by the General Counsel’s Office.
• Handles the General Counsel’s correspondence which involves the use of discretion and independent judgment.
• Assists in resolving complaints/issues relating to legal affairs, risk management and public records.
• Assists with research and analysis to support legal decision-making and preparation of opinions for dissemination College-wide.
• Oversees and coordinates public records and litigation discovery requests, including clarification of public records requests with the requesting parties, timely responses, coordination with departments on the development of records search protocols and obtaining responsive records, and evaluation of statutory privileges and exemptions.
• Maintains permanent files concerning public records requests, including compliance with retention schedules.
• Ensures that matters requiring the attention of the General Counsel are timely addressed.
• Maintains confidential files, answers calls, handles scheduling issues, prepares budget entries and payments, edits documents and provides quality assurance on outgoing material from the General Counsel’s office.
• Manages complex calendaring of busy, fluctuating schedule, and calendars and monitors time-sensitive deadlines for claims, litigation, and other legal proceedings.
• Compiles, reviews, and organizes evidence and other information for litigation and administrative proceedings.
• Provides support in litigation such as document production and serves as liaison to outside attorneys.
• Serves as liaison between the General Counsel, executive leadership, staff, representatives of local agencies, and the general public by relaying messages, answering questions, clarifying information, responding to requests, resolving problems, explaining College policies and procedures or referring callers to appropriate persons.
• Prepares agenda items and supporting documentation for meetings of the College Board of Trustees.
• Manages the purchasing activities of the General Counsel’s Office to ensure availability of funds and compliance with College policies, procedures, and rules.
• Completes all other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university, with at least four (4) to seven (7) years of related work experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.
• Proven professional experience in higher education, government, law, non-profit or other public employer related work experience.
• Proven ability to work in a professional and collaborative manner with all levels of the institution.
• Knowledge, or ability to obtain knowledge after hire, of Indian River State Colleges policies and procedures.
• Excellent communication skills (both verbal and written).
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Detail-oriented and able to manage multiple projects at the same time in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.
• Expertise in the use of technology to include proven knowledge of Microsoft Office and Windows based computer applications including, but not limited to, Adobe, Excel, PowerPoint, Zoom, Teams.
• Flexibility and adaptability.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, be self-motivated, and take initiative to problem solve and follow up on issues and inquiries.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

This position classifies the physical exertion requirements as sedentary work involving lifting no more than 10 pounds at a time and occasionally lifting or carrying articles like docket files, ledgers, and small tools. Although a sedentary job is defined as one which involves sitting, a certain amount of walking and standing is often necessary in carrying out job duties. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required occasionally, and other sedentary criteria are met.