Applied Learning Paralegal

About FIU

Florida International University is a Top 50, preeminent public research university with 55,000 students from all 50 states and more than 140 countries, as well as an alumni network of more than 340,000. Located in the global city of Miami, the university offers more than 200 degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate and professional levels, including medicine and law. FIU faculty are leaders in their fields and include National Academy members, Fulbright Scholars and MacArthur Genius Fellows. A Carnegie R1 institution, FIU drives impactful research in environmental resilience, health and technology and innovation. Home to the Wall of Wind and Institute of Environment, FIU stands at the forefront of discovery and innovation. With a focus on student success, economic mobility and community engagement, FIU is redefining what it means to be a public research university.

Job Summary

Under the general direction of the Vice Dean for Student Success, and under the immediate supervision of a supervising attorney for all legal work, the Applied Learning Paralegal applies paralegal expertise across the College of Law's applied learning programs. The position provides paralegal subject-matter and operational support to the Legal Studies Institute paralegal certificate program; performs paralegal casework for the College's guardianship client representation project; coordinates the College's career coach program; and designs and executes simulation and applied-skills programming in support of student professional development.

• Provides paralegal subject-matter and operational support to the Legal Studies Institute paralegal certificate program: prepares and maintains legal document templates, practice files, and exercise materials used in coursework; reviews student work product for accuracy of legal form and procedure; and supports instructors in delivering skills-based modules.
• Coordinates day-to-day operations of the paralegal certificate program, including course scheduling, enrollment and completion records, distribution of course materials, and communications with students and instructors.
• Serves as a resource to certificate students on paralegal practice standards, legal research tools, document preparation, and professional expectations, without providing legal advice.
• Under the direction and immediate supervision of the project's supervising attorney, performs paralegal work on guardianship matters for the College's guardianship client representation project: conducts client intake and interviews, gathers and organizes facts, records, and evidence, and establishes and maintains case files.
• Researches and analyzes Florida guardianship statutes, rules of procedure, court decisions, and local court requirements to assist the supervising attorney in preparing petitions, inventories, annual plans, accountings, reports, and other filings.
• Prepares initial drafts of pleadings, court forms, correspondence, and standard documents using attorney-developed templates; tracks filing deadlines, hearing dates, and court reporting requirements; coordinates with the clerk of court, court monitors, and partner agencies.
• Works with clients and their families to gather information and communicate case status, and provides the supervising attorney with periodic status updates on each matter.
• Supports law students participating in the guardianship project by modeling paralegal practice, organizing case documentation, and orienting students to intake and case-management procedures.
• Coordinates the operations of the College's career coach program, including scheduling, participant matching, records, communications, and program reporting, in coordination with the Office of Career Planning and Placement.
• Designs and executes simulation and applied-skills programming for student professional development, such as document-drafting exercises, client-interview and intake simulations, and case-management exercises, in coordination with the Assistant Dean for Applied Legal Education and faculty.
• Prepares realistic case files, exhibits, and supporting materials for simulations; evaluates student performance against professional practice standards and provides feedback.
• Maintains program and case records in compliance with confidentiality, FERPA, and attorney-client privilege requirements; uses case-management, e-filing, and learning-management systems.
• Maintains current knowledge of paralegal practice, Florida guardianship law and procedure, and legal technology.
• Performs other duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree OR paralegal certification, AND a minimum of three (3) years of experience working in a law firm, in-house legal department, compliance department or related field; OR seven (7) years of relevant experience AND a minimum of three (3) years of experience working in a law firm, in-house legal department, compliance department or related field; OR an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience.

Desired Qualifications

• Paralegal certificate from an ABA-approved program, or NALA Certified Paralegal (CP) / NFPA Registered Paralegal (RP) credential.
• Experience in Florida guardianship, probate, or elder law practice, including preparation of guardianship petitions, inventories, annual plans, and accounting.
• Experience in legal education, paralegal instruction, or practice-based training.
• Fluency in English and Spanish.

Job Category

• Staff

Advertised Salary

• $60,000 - $70,000

Work Schedule

Begin time: 8:30 AM

End time: 5:00 PM

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Expanded Background Check

Other Information

• Ability to work flexible hours as needed.

How To Apply

Prospective Employee

If you have not created a registered account, you will be asked to create a username and password for use of the system. It is recommended that you provide an active/valid e-mail account as that will be the main source of communication regarding your status within the process. In this account, you are able to track your applicant status in "My Applications".

To be considered eligible for the position as an internal candidate, departmental staff must meet minimum requirements of the position and be in good performance standing.

Before you begin the process, we recommend that you are prepared to attach electronic copies of your resume, cover letter or any other documents within the application process. It is recommended that you combine your cover letter and resume/curriculum vitae into one attachment. Attached documents should be in Microsoft Word or PDF format. All applicants are required to complete the online application including work history and educational details (if applicable), even when attaching a resume.

• This posting will close at 12:00 am of the close date.

How To Apply

Current Employee

As a current employee, you must log into Employee Self Service (ESS) to apply for this and any other internal career opportunity of interest. In this account, you are able to track your applicant status in "My Applications".

To be considered eligible for the position as an internal candidate, departmental staff must meet minimum requirements of the position and be in good performance standing.

Before you begin the process, we recommend that you are prepared to attach electronic copies of your resume/ curriculum vitae, cover letter or any other documents within the application process. It is recommended that you combine your cover letter and resume into one attachment. Attached documents should be in Microsoft Word or PDF format.

• This posting will close at 12:00 am of the close date.

How to Claim Vet Preference

Since 1945, the Florida Legislature has made a provision to give preference in the hiring process to United States war veterans in recognition of their military, naval, or air service who meet specific conditions. The conditions are as follows:

• Veterans with a VA service-connected disability
• Spouses of veterans with permanent and total service-connected disability
• Honorably discharged veterans with wartime service.
• Unmarried widow or widower of a veteran who died as a result of a service-connected disability
• A veteran who has served in a qualifying campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized, to include the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.

Florida International University honors this policy and will comply with Veterans' Preference guidelines when filling staff positions. Any applicant claiming Veterans' Preference will be required to attach a DD214 with each application submitted for verification.

If there are any questions concerning Veterans' Preference, please contact Talent Acquisition & Management by calling 305-348-2500.
For additional information on Veterans' Preference, visit http://www.floridavets.org/.

Disclosures

Clery Notice

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, the University Police department at Florida International University provides information on crimes statistics, crime prevention, law enforcement, crime reporting, and other related issues for the past three (3) calendar years. The FIU Annual Security report is available online at: https://police.fiu.edu/download/annual-security-fire-safety-report/.

To obtain a paper copy of the report, please visit the FIU Police Department located at 885 SW 109th Avenue, Miami, FL, 33199 (PG5 Market Station).

Pay Transparency

Florida International University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.

Notice of Non-Discrimination

FIU is a State University System of Florida member, Equal Opportunity, Equal Access, and Affirmative Action Employer for individuals with disabilities and veterans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment decisions, programs, and events without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. For inquiries regarding non-discrimination, contact FIU's Office of Civil Rights at 305.348.2785 or email [email protected].

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

Should you need an ADA accommodation to participate in a University event, program, or activity or need to request materials in an accessible format, please contact FIU's Office of Civil Rights (OCR) at 305-348-2785 or [email protected]. All requests for ADA accommodation or accessible materials for this event must be submitted to OCR at least seven (7) business days prior to the event or at the earliest possible opportunity.