Legal Assistant (Part-Time)

Department: Office of Legal and Government Affairs

Reports To: General Counsel and Director of Government Affairs

Employment Status: Part-Time, Temporary

Job Summary: This position reports to the General Counsel and Director of Government Affairs. The Legal Assistant provides administrative, legal, and clerical support to the Office of Legal and Government Affairs at Fort Valley State University. This position assists attorneys, compliance personnel, and administrative leadership with document preparation, records management, calendaring, correspondence, and the coordination of time-sensitive matters related to legal, regulatory, governance, and governmental affairs functions. The work requires a high degree of confidentiality, accuracy, professionalism, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a higher education environment.

Major Duties: Provides clerical and administrative support to the Legal and Government Affairs Department. Functions as a primary contact and liaison between visitors faculty, and staff. Process electronic requisitions, travel authorizations, expense reports, and other financial transactions. Types, formats, proofreads, and processes correspondence, memoranda, reports, forms, and other legal or administrative documents. Maintains organized physical and electronic files related to contracts, policies, claims, complaints, investigations, correspondence, and related departmental records. Assists with calendaring deadlines, meetings, hearings, filing dates, and other time-sensitive obligations. Screens, routes, and responds to telephone calls, mail, email, and other inquiries in a professional manner. Assists with preparation of agendas, meeting materials, presentations, and follow-up documentation. Tracks receipt, distribution, and status of documents requiring review, approval, signature, or filing. Assists with intake and processing of contracts, agreements, open records requests, subpoenas, claims, and other matters as assigned. Coordinates with internal departments and external parties to obtain information, documents, and signatures. Maintains confidentiality of sensitive, privileged, and restricted information. Performs data entry, copying, scanning, filing, shredding, and other routine office functions. Assists with special projects and other related duties as assigned. Knowledge Required By the Position: Knowledge of legal office procedures, terminology, and document processing practices. Knowledge of clerical and administrative support functions in a professional office environment. Knowledge of recordkeeping, filing, and document management systems. Knowledge of confidentiality requirements and the handling of sensitive information. Knowledge of grammar, punctuation, spelling, and business correspondence standards. Knowledge of calendaring, scheduling, and deadline management practices. Knowledge of standard office software, including word processing, spreadsheets, email, and electronic file systems. Knowledge of professional customer service and communication practices. Knowledge of higher education administration, public institution operations, or governmental affairs is preferred.

Minimum Qualifications: Associate's degree in a related field, legal assistant/paralegal certificate, or coursework in legal studies, business administration, or a related field. One to two years of clerical, administrative, or office support experience, preferably in a legal, governmental, higher education, or professional office setting. Demonstrated proficiency with standard office software, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and electronic filing systems. Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion in handling sensitive matters. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Ability to organize work, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines. Ability to work independently and follow instructions accurately.

Preferred Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in a related field. Experience in a law office, legal department, compliance office, or higher education setting. Experience drafting, proofreading, or formatting legal or administrative documents. Experience managing calendars, tracking deadlines, and maintaining confidential records. Familiarity with contracts, public records requests, subpoenas, policy administration, or board/governance support. Strong attention to detail and excellent organizational skills. Ability to work collaboratively with attorneys, administrators, faculty, staff, and external constituents.

Physical Demands/Work Environment: Work is typically performed in an office environment with frequent use of technology. May lift and/or move up to 25 pounds Equal Employment Opportunity Fort Valley State University is an equal opportunity employer. The University does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or University System of Georgia policy.