The Administrative Assistant for Legal is responsible for performing Diligent Searches for absent or missing parents in dependency cases pursuant to Florida statutes and DCF operating procedures, which includes documents searches and preparation of affidavits for filing with the court. May also perform and track searches for relatives. All information must be carefully tracked and clearly communicated with case management and/or Children’s Legal Services. This person may provide high-level administrative support by conducting research, requesting searches of the Putative Father Registry, preparing statistical reports and agendas, and handling information requests. This position reports to the Chief Legal Officer.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
- Receives, fulfills, and tracks requests for searches for parents and relatives of children in care from CPI, CLS, and case management staff.
- Provides notices of initiation of search, status of search, and final affidavits of diligent search for court as needed.
- Searches for parents and relatives on various databases including Accurint, CCIS, and others.
- Utilizes both public and private record locator systems in efforts to retrieve current information.
- Requests and obtains certification from the Florida Department of Health’s Bureau of Vital Statistics for Putative Father Registry Searches to document whether prospective fathers have registered or not.
- Completes all search efforts in FSFN and completes a diligent search tracker for all active, closed, and putative father requests.
- Prepares and mails letters or sends faxes as needed to various agencies and authorities to pursue whereabouts of missing parents.
- Communicates by phone with parties revealed through the search who may have knowledge of whereabouts of missing parents or relatives and documents such communications.
- Notifies CLS when missing parents have been located so that service may be attempted.
- Performs functions under strict timeframes that are often of short duration.
- Maintains tracking system for diligent search and putative father registry search requests.
- Provides other high-level administrative support as directed by supervisor.
- Manages conflicts, dealing appropriately in difficult situations.
- Supports the supervisor with preparation of reports and general tasks daily.
- Performs typing, data entry, or other clerical tasks as needed.
- Uses “to-do” lists or other tools to manage time, and manage multiple, pressing job demands.
- Prepares in advance for situations (i.e., develops mental plans, visualizes situations, rehearses presentations).
- Uses data to inform practice and implements results-based best practices.
- Makes photocopies and faxes material as requested.
- Identifies and understands what resources are available and builds and maintains effective working relationships with a network of systems.
- Understands and appreciates different views, expertise, and experience of others; understands the perspectives and limitations of other individuals and systems.
- Understands and reflects upon own values, cultural/personal style, familial background and how each may impact others.
- Fits pieces of information into a coherent whole and provides backup to departments as needed and/or assists with special projects.
- Participates in the quality improvement process.
- Displays understanding of, and sensitivity to, service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
- Performs other related job duties as assigned.
The position may involve acquiring, accessing, using, and safeguarding Protected Health Information according to applicable law and agency Policies and Procedures for Protected Health Information.
