Legal aide

Requisition #: 703117-110725, 703007-110725
Primary Location: Ohio-Franklin County-Columbus
Work Location: 4071 E. Main Street, 43213
Bargaining or Non-Bargaining: Bargaining Unit
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Job Type: Full-Time
Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm
Minimum Starting Salary: $19.55/hour
Number of Openings: 1
Posting Start Date: 11/07/2025
Posting Close Date: Non-Bargaining postings are typically available for a minimum of 10 days from Posting Start Date but may be rescinded or extended at the Agency's discretion. All submissions received within the first 10 days will be considered.

How to Apply:

• Email your updated resume to [email protected].

Who We Are:

Franklin County Children Services (FCCS) is a large, metropolitan child welfare agency with more than 300 caseworkers and 400 support staff members dedicated to child protection and family stability. FCCS believes in investing our time and resources to attract and hire an engaged, talented, and diverse workforce that is committed to protecting children by strengthening families.

Purpose:

Employee assists the Legal Department in monitoring new statutes that affect child welfare law and implements changes with respect to job responsibilities. The employee will help the agency achieve CFSR standards and help ensure service delivery that focuses on Safety, Permanency and Well-being for the families served by the agency. The employee is committed to practicing cultural competence by working respectfully and effectively with people of all cultures, classes, races, genders, ethnic backgrounds, religions, sexual orientations, mental and physical abilities, ages, and appearances in a manner that recognizes, affirms and values the worth of individuals, families and communities and protects and preserves the dignity of each. The employee will adhere to the agency’s Guiding Principles by serving as a child welfare professional, valuing every child, honoring families, and valuing partnerships.

What You Will Do – Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Drafts and notarizes when necessary legal pleadings, including but not limited to, complaints, motions, ICWA notifications and affidavits; attends permanency staffing’s with agency attorney in preparation for drafting of legal pleadings
• Provides backup support to other legal aide positions when assigned unit paralegal is absent; if necessary, prepares case summaries, legal documents and reports for review, approval, and signature of and/or use by licensed agency attorneys or administrative assistant
• Responds to general inquiries by agency staff
• Provides preliminary information to agency attorneys on legal matters
• Drafts responses to inquiries involving legal questions
• Accompanies attorneys or supervisor and assists in conferences
• Researches federal and/or state statutes, recorded judicial decisions and other legal sources and reference materials, such as Lexis Nexis, in order to prepare responses to inquiries, complaints, claims or legal/ administrative procedural issues to assist the Legal Department.
• Disseminates information and responds to all requests for personal information, historical dispositional letters, and any other governmental or private entities. Provides back-up support to legal aide position responsible for processing discovery, subpoenas, and judicial orders.
• Files with the Clerk of Court prepared motions, service of process, ICWA notifications, objections, briefs, and memorandums as well as discovery demands and subpoenas with the court on behalf of the Legal Department; completes criminal records checks and certification of documents through various court systems.
• Assists in the establishment and maintenance of legal records and departmental statistics.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

What We Offer You:

• Hiring Bonus up to $1,500
• Quality benefits including low-Cost Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Generous Vacation, Sick and Personal leave accruals along with 10 paid holidays
• Retirement Pension through the Ohio Public employment Retirement System
• 457(b) retirement savings plan through Ohio Deferred Compensation
• No Cost Life Insurance Coverage up to $50,000
• Tuition Reimbursement
• EAP Program
• ·Personal and Financial Wellness opportunities through the Franklin County ThriveOn Program
• More!

What will make you successful in this role:

• Successful completion of certification program for Paralegal or Legal Aide at approved college or university may be substituted for above coursework.

What you bring to the role:

• Ability to calculate fractions, decimals & percentages and to read and write common vocabulary plus 1 course in legal research (or 1 mo. exp.),
• 1 course in legal terminology (or 1 mo. exp.),
• 1 course in legal issue recognition (or 1mo. exp.),
• 1 course in case and statutory interpretation (or 1mo. exp.),
• 1 course in legal analysis (or 1 mo. exp.),
• 1 course in law (or 1 mo. exp.),
• 1 course in pleadings (or 1 mo. exp.),
• 1 course in evidence (or1 mo. exp.),
• 1 course in legal communications to include writing and exposition skills, preparation of briefs, memoranda, and contracts (or 1 mo. exp.),
• 1 course in civil procedure (i.e., jurisdiction, motions, joinder of parties & causes of action) (or 1 mo. exp.),
• 1 course in legislation (i.e. policy formulation, drafting, statutory construction) (or 1 mo. exp.),
• 1 course in legislative process (i.e., system by which legislation is drafted, introduced, amended & passed) (or 1 mo. exp.),
• 1 course in court filing procedures (or 1 mo. exp.); or equivalent.
• Successful completion of certification program for Paralegal or Legal Aide at approved college or university may be substituted for above coursework.
• Must be proficient with word and basic computer programs.
• Must have a valid notary commission or willing to attend training to obtain notary commission

What we hope you bring to the role:

• Completion of Paralegal certificate at approved college or university and demonstrated knowledge, skills, and ongoing experience regarding legal research, legal terminology, legal analysis,
• Ability to deal with many variables and determine a specific course of action, handle sensitive inquiries from and contacts with officials and general public and civil service procedures
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Knowledge of Juvenile Law and Procedure and knowledge of Franklin County Juvenile Court
• Computer-aided research ability
• Experience working as/in Paralegal or Legal Aide capacity of juvenile law issues is a plys
• Demonstrated excellent organizational skills.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None

ADA Statement: Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. Franklin County Children Services is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs, and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

Job-specific Physical Requirements:

• Ability to operate standard office equipment in the performance of job functions (e.g. telephone, calculator, printer, scanner, microfiche, computer, copying machine, automobile). Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

What is the Work Environment Like?

• Typical office environment.

To learn more about FCCS, please visit our careers page at

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $19.55 - $24.96 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Free parking
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid sick time
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance
• Wellness program

Work Location: In person