What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant County Attorney position at Alachua County Board of County Commissioners?
Salary : $81,638.75 - $129,413.65 Annually
Location : Gainesville, FL
Job Type : Full-Time
Job Number : FY25-15232
Department : County Attorney
Division : County Attorney
Opening Date : 12 / 20 / 2024
Closing Date : 1 / 10 / 2025 11 : 59 PM Eastern
Minimum Qualifications
Applicants should have 0-5 years of experience in the practice of law and have an interest in legal issues related to regulatory county codes and animal related issues. Applicants with more than 5 years' experience may be considered, upon reasonable explanation of interest in position Please provide a Cover letter, indicating applicant's experience or academic study of local government law, as well as indicating interest in specific additional areas of local government l aw, is highly enc ouraged.
Ideal candidate must have diligent work ethic, and strong writing and speaking skills. Ideal candidate will thrive in a collaborative environment and communicate clearly and efficiently with colleagues and clients at all levels of the organization. Candidates must be licensed to practice law in Florida and in good standing with the Florida Bar.
While specialized knowledge is expected in areas of responsibility, attorney may be required to handle issues outside of these areas of law, as needed. Will be expected to litigate areas of responsibility and appear before public boards, sometimes in televised settings. May have flexible, hybrid work schedule, consistent with the needs of the clients and the operations of the office.
Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor degree and membership in The Florida Bar.
Successful completion of a criminal history background investigation is required prior to employment.
Successful completion of a drug screen is required prior to employment.
Must be able to demonstrate proficiency within six months of assuming this role for technical skills necessary to use software and platforms to communicate effectively with staff, colleagues and court officials virtually. Must be able to maintain internet connection from remote site and maintain security and confidentiality of communications and records.
Position Summary
This is highly responsible, professional legal work in assisting the County Attorney with multiple legal issues, providing legal analysis and advice to the Board of County Commissioners, the County's administrative staff and various County-related agencies and boards and committees. The Assistant County Attorney takes all legal action necessary to achieve County goals and protect County interests; involves specialization in certain legal fields and assignments include matters of substantial importance.
An employee assigned to this classification is required to litigate for areas of assignment.
Work is performed under the direction of a higher-level supervisor and is reviewed through conferences, reports, and observation of results obtained.
Examples of Duties
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
This is an emergency essential classification. Upon declaration of a disaster and / or emergency, employees in this classification are required to work.
Advocates building organizational culture through aligning decisions with core values including : integrity, honesty, respect, diversity, innovation, accountability and communication.
Independently prepares pleadings, discovery documents, motions, briefs and other legal documents in matters involving litigation of a complex and difficult nature and of substantial importance, obtains and evaluates expert testimony and participates in settlement negotiations, serving as trial counsel for the County when needed.
Drafts or files a variety of documents, which may include : contracts, deeds, resolutions, policy recommendations, legal correspondence, motions, memoranda of law, briefs, pleadings, legal opinions or other legal documents.
Conducts legal research regarding complex problems or projects; prepares reports and memoranda, drafts opinions containing proposed or recommended courses of action or solutions.
Interprets and applies legal principles and precedents in resolving complex legal issues.
Reviews documents and renders opinions as to their legal validity and / or acceptability.
Advises and assists County officers with legal matters.
Represents departments, officials, boards and commissions in matters that require the professional services of an experienced attorney.
Prepares resolutions, ordinances and other proposed legislation of a unique or complex nature.
Attends meetings of the county commission, boards, agencies and other County Attorney's Office clients; may require attendance at meetings outside of normal working hours.
Demonstrates leadership and evaluates, develops and motivates employees.
Performs the duties listed, as well as those assigned, with professionalism and a sense of urgency.
NOTE : These examples are intended only as illustrations of the various kinds of work performed in positions allocated to this class. 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.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Considerable knowledge of judicial procedures and the methods and practices of legal research.
Knowledge of statutory and constitutional laws of the State of Florida, especially as these apply to Alachua County government.
Knowledge of video conferencing, document collaboration tools, and remote document management software (including but not limited to e-signature, matter management, contracts management, public records and agenda review platforms).
Technical skills to attend certain hearings, seminars and meetings remotely.
Ability to communicate effectively, present evidence and question witnesses through remote platforms.
Ability to draft legal documents and proposed legislation.
Ability to organize a variety of projects effectively.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, including public speaking and the preparation of written reports and memoranda.
Ability to comfortably speak with media and appear in televised proceedings.
Ability to organize and present cases for trial.
Ability to conduct trials, hearing and proceedings.
Ability to litigate for areas of assignment.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with County officials, other public officials, county staff and the general public.
Ability to work from home with reliable internet connection using County-provided equipment.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS : The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms, and use hands to finger, handle or feel.
The employee must occasionally lift and / or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.
WORK ENVIRONMENT : The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
Opportunity to work remotely, when not needed in-person, if the employee in this classification has technical skills to use the necessary software and platforms to communicate effectively with staff, colleagues and court officials virtually. Must be able to maintain internet connection from remote site and maintain security and confidentiality of communications and records.
Supplemental Information
Confidential Position : Certain personal information for employees (and specific family members) in this job position is exempt from public records pursuant to Chapter119 of the Florida Statutes.
An organization is only as good as the people it employs. To attract and retain the best team possible, the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners offers a competitive benefit program. We believe that if we expect our employees to support the County, we must first support the health and financial well-being of our employees and their families, now and as they plan for their future.BoCC-Contributed Benefits
- Medical / Health Insurance
- Employee Life Insurance
- Florida Retirement System
- Employee Assistance Program
Optional Benefits
NOTE : For detailed information regarding available benefits
You may also view regarding benefits.
Vacation Leave - Generous vacation accrual rates with payout of unused accrued leave, with some restrictions. For more detailed information regarding vacation leave refer to .
Sick leave is earned at a rate of 4 hours per pay period by all permanent, full-time employees
If an applicant meets all minimum qualifications as posted he / she is referred to the appropriate hiring manager. The following Supplemental Questions are specific to the position for which you have applied to assist the hiring manager in screening applications for the ones with the specific experience he / she is seeking.Please be specific in answering these questions as they will be used to evaluate which applications will be given further consideration in the process. I understand and will answer the following supplemental questions completely and thoroughly.
Are you a member of the Florida Bar Association?
If yes to question #2, please provide your Bar Number.
What local government practice areas interest you? Feel free to share the reasons that you are interested in these areas.
If you have more than 5 years of experience of law, please explain your interest in this entry level position. If not, please NA.
I understand that once my application has been submitted for this specific position that I will NOT be able to make any changes to it. Any changes to my master application will only be reflected in any future positions for which I may apply. Should I desire to have updated information included for this specific position I should contact the Human Resources office at (352) 374-5219 for assistance.
Required Question
Salary : $81,639 - $129,414
