County Attorney

St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners is seeking a County Attorney for our well-established County Attorney’s Office whose headquarters are located in beautiful St. Augustine, Florida. 

St. Johns County residents enjoy a healthy quality of life with many perks including one of the top rated public school systems in the State of Florida, miles of beach shoreline, peaceful estuary scenery of the St. Johns River, long established agriculture and equestrian scene, and the nation’s oldest city, historic St. Augustine. In 2019 St. Johns County was ranked the 10th fastest growing county in the United States showcasing that there is truly something for everyone in St. Johns County! 

The St. Johns County Attorney Office is responsible for providing legal services and issues legal opinions for the Board of County Commissioners, the County Administration, and other County staff. Employees work in a team-oriented environment with common goals in mind: to provide legal services in support of County government operations and for assisting in directing the operations of the County Attorney’s Office.

The newly selected County Attorney provides professional legal work of a difficult and responsible nature for St. Johns County.   Assigned work is performed with limited independence within the framework of established policies and requiring considerable responsibility, initiative and judgment.

The ideal County Attorney candidate must possess St. Johns County’s core values of compassion, innovation, and trustworthiness and must work well in a collaborative team environment. Some of the specific tasks include but are not limited to:

• Appears in court and defends the county in cases filed against it; identifies deficiencies in the case; files motions; generates and responds to discovery; files dispositive motions; participates in mediation; prepares case for trial and presents it to jury or bench; files post-verdict motions.
• Assists in the trial of semi-civil cases.
• Represents the county in administrative hearings.
• Prosecutes and defends appeals on behalf of the county; reviews trial court transcripts and testimony, identifies errors of law committed by the trial court; submits issues to appellate court.
• Negotiates, prepares and reviews complex commercial and construction transactions with corporations and other governmental entities.
• Counsels elected officials on official matters and counsels department heads; reviews termination and disciplinary documents.
• Recommends or drafts county policies to reflect expressed goals of commissioners or elected officials; identifies and minimizes potential legal risks.
• Attends Board of County Commissioners meetings to provide advice on matters pending.
• Prepares proposed legislation for submission to the Board of County Commissioners and state legislature.
• Participates in ad hoc committees to examine specific areas of concern.
• Prepares the annual department budget; approves department expenditures and payroll.
• Maintains a full-time presence on the job.
• Manages the daily operations of the County Attorney’s Office, assigns and reviews casework of all County attorneys. 
• Investigates claims and complaints by or against the County; recommends appropriate action and takes action, as necessary.
• Prepares, drafts, and reviews all types of County ordinances, resolutions, bond provisions, contracts, deeds and other legal documents. 
• Coordinate outside litigation.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Ability to conduct research on complex legal issues and prepare sound legal opinions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with associates, County officials, the Board of County Commissioners, and the general public.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing including public speaking.
• Knowledge of local government law
• Knowledge of land use law.
• Knowledge of federal and state law.
• Knowledge of procurement statutes.
• Knowledge of employment law.
• Knowledge of county rules and procedures.
• Knowledge of computers and job-related software programs.
• Skill in the completion of legal research.
• Skill in producing persuasive legal arguments.
• Skill in the analysis of problems and the development and implementation of solutions.
• Skill in preparing and administering budgets.
• Skill in oral and written communication.

Candidates for the County Attorney are encouraged to apply if they meet the following minimum qualifications:

• Graduation from an accredited school of law with a Juris Doctorate Degree.
• Member of the Florida Bar Association.
• Admitted to practice in the United States Middle District of Florida.  
• Experience sufficient to thoroughly understand the diverse objectives and functions of the subunits in the division/department in order to direct and coordinate work within the division/department usually interpreted to require three to five years of related experience.
• Minimum of ten (10) years’ experience in local government includes County and State land use law, water/sewer utilities, employment law, risk management, environmental and conservation law, procurement, child welfare law and Florida Sunshine law.
• Seven years supervisor experience.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida driver's license and any other endorsements necessary to legally operate vehicles used while assigned to this position.
• Must possess good interpersonal and communication skills in order to serve others.
• Must be able to comprehend, speak and write the English language.
• Must be able to operate a computer.

NOTE TO APPLICANTS: 

Candidates may apply through St. Johns County’s Online Application System: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sjcfl  

Applications must be submitted through St. Johns County’s Online Application System in order to be considered. Paper documents, emailed resumes or otherwise are not accepted in lieu of an application. All applications must be submitted before the advertised closing date.

St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners is a drug free workplace and equal opportunity employer.

All employment actions are taken without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, handicap, disability, marital status, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information.