Assistant County Attorney

Overview

Under general direction of the County Attorney, prosecutes and defends all civil and administrative cases assigned. Provides legal counsel and advice on matters of civil law to various County departments. Advanced professional position responsible for legal services in assigned work areas.

The following statements describe the principal functions of this job and its scope of responsibility but shall not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including working in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload.

• Provides legal counsel and advice on matters of government law to various County departments, as assigned.
• Prosecutes and defends all civil cases, as assigned. Such cases may include but are not limited to code enforcement, zoning appeals, eminent domain, inverse condemnation, animal control matters, contract disputes, labor disputes, bond validation, civil rights, and declaration actions, injunctions at the local level as well as any appeals that may follow, or cases in Federal Court.
• Prepares briefs, pleadings, and other legal documents and supervises necessary investigations, including interviewing witnesses. Tries cases and appeals adverse judgments to higher courts. Researches, performs discovery, and prepares for trials and appeals.
• Prepares or reviews ordinances, resolutions, contracts, leases, and memoranda as assigned by County Attorney and Deputy County Attorney, and Paralegal Director. Negotiates terms and conditions of contracts and agreements.
• Advises officials and employees on legal questions and prepares legal opinions for County Attorney and Deputy County Attorney. Researches and gathers facts, checks investigation reports, reviews files, answers correspondence, prepares responses to legal requests.
• Ensures that the County Attorney and Deputy County Attorney are fully advised on all legal matters. Prepares client for Court. Works with minimal supervision, handles complex tasks.
• Attends Board of County Commissioners'' meetings as assigned. Explains and interprets ordinances and statutes. Provides advice concerning legal questions within the operating departments.
• Attends meetings of County appointed boards, and council, and authorities as assigned. Provides legal advice and representation as assigned.
• Participates in the preparation and presentation of seminars on various legal issues.
• Assists County Attorney and Deputy County Attorney with County programs and agencies generating a wide range of complex issues involving land use, planning and zoning, utilities, legal actions, and matters involving all County departments.
• Analyzes legal controversies and recommends disposition to County Attorney and Deputy County Attorney.
• Timely communicates to County Attorney or Deputy County Attorney on all matters which have or could develop significant policy implications at the administrative or Board level.
• Prepares or reviews drafts of laws, regulations and administrative decisions having the effect of law.
• May be required to attend and speak to various civic organizations.
• Other duties as assigned.

County employees are required to report for work during a state of emergency and are subject to recall around the clock for emergency response operations which may include duties other than those specified in this job description.

• Graduation from an accredited college or university school of law and possession of Juris Doctorate.
• Five years of experience in the practice of law, with experience in federal, state or local government or agency or within the private practice of law with emphasis on local government law, real estate, eminent domain or any other county related matters to include extensive trial practice/experience. Utilities experience preferred.

• Current member of the Florida Bar. Eligible for admittance in Federal Courts and U.S. Court of Appeals.

• Knowledge
  • Common law, and of County, State and Federal laws and…