Job Description

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The primary purpose of this position is to assist the County Attorney in delivering legal services, advice, and counsel to Leon County Government, which includes the Board of County Commissioners, the County Administrator, and County Departments, as well as certain boards and agencies organized under the Board of County Commissioners.

NOTE

The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Prepares, reviews, and edits legal documents.
• Prepares and analyzes various legal documents, including legal opinions, agreements and contracts, mortgages, satisfactions, releases, and subordinations, policies, forms, bylaws, agenda items, resolutions, and ordinances, as well as general office documents such as letters and memoranda; prepares documents in accordance with established office and County policies and procedures; works with County staff as necessary to produce a high-quality, finished work product.
• Provides legal advice and counsel. Serves as legal counsel for assigned divisions, boards, and/or committees; attends and participates in meetings and conference calls as needed to provide advice and counsel; represents the County in various types of local government civil matters; interacts with County staff and the public in a tactful and professional manner.
• Handles litigation as assigned, including enforcement actions. Provides legal representation in litigation, including but not limited to code enforcement and animal control cases. Prepares pleadings, motions, discovery, and other related documents; appears in administrative hearings and court proceedings; works collaboratively with County departments, including Code Enforcement and Animal Control, to gather evidence, assess legal risks, and ensure compliance with applicable laws and ordinances.
• Performs research, analysis, and writing. Performs or directs legal research and preparation of legal opinions; analyzes a variety of issues and provides the results both orally and in writing in an organized and concise manner; maintains a working knowledge of print and electronic research methods, including Westlaw.
• Maintains up-to-date legal knowledge and completes required continuing education. Stays current on legislative trends and developments for application to areas of assigned responsibility; completes the required number of continuing legal education hours and reports same to the Florida Bar in a timely manner; maintains a license in good standing with the Florida Bar.
• Effectively and efficiently operates personal computer, other office machines, and software; maintains a working knowledge of the assigned personal computer and other office equipment, and informs supervisor when training is needed.

OTHER IMPORTANT OR MARGINAL DUTIES

Effectively and efficiently operates personal computer, other office machines, and software; maintains a working knowledge of the assigned personal computer and other office equipment, and informs supervisor when training is needed.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of administrative, local, state, federal, common, and constitutional law affecting county government; knowledge of ordinances and charter provisions relating to the authority and functions of county departments, boards and agencies; knowledge of judicial procedures and rules of evidence; knowledge of established precedents and sources of legal reference applicable to county activities; ability to analyze and prepare a variety of legal documents; ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; ability to conduct and direct research at an advanced level and produce a finished work product that requires recognition, evaluation, organization, analysis, and communication of relevant facts and legal concepts; ability to work independently, organize and prioritize assignments, and meet deadlines; ability to follow through on assignments without supervision and with attention to detail; extensive knowledge of business English, spelling, grammar and punctuation; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, county officials, and the general public. Working knowledge of personal computers, Microsoft Suite, Adobe Acrobat, Westlaw; knowledge of electronic document management systems in general; willingness to learn new software. Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations.

COMPLEXITY OF WORK

Work involves complex, varied, and frequently non-standardized tasks requiring the application of skills and practices in the areas of deductive reasoning and advanced research and analysis of case law, statutes, and other legal texts and the ability to translate the relevant research findings into written opinions for the client.

INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL CUSTOMER CONTACTS

Contacts are made with all levels of County employees, elected officials, business and government leaders, and the public for the purpose of furnishing, gathering, or exchanging information.

EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS USED

Use of personal computer, other office machines, and various software programs, including Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, Legal Files and County Law Document Management. Sufficient computer skills to enable assignments to be completed in a timely manner.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor Degree.
• Must be a member of the Florida Bar and in good standing.
• Preferred experience in local government law; transactional law.
• Must possess a valid Florida Driver's License.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

All Leon County employees (regular full-time and part-time, OPS, and PRN) are required to work before, during and after a Declared Local State of Emergency (DLSOE). Participation is considered a condition of employment.

SELECTION GUIDELINES

Formal application, resume, rating of education and experience, oral interview, writing sample, and reference checks.

FLSA STATUS

Exempt. Position performs professional legal work, requiring membership in The Florida Bar. Work requires extensive study of the law and employee must exercise considerable discretion and independent judgment.

REVISION HISTORY

July 1, 1999; October 14, 2002; October 15, 2002; September 26, 2010; October 1, 2018; November 6, 2019; January 17, 2020; August 23, 2021; June 27, 2022; September 17, 2025.

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