General Information

Work Location: 1112 Manatee Avenue West, Suite 969 | Bradenton, Florida 34205
Work Hours: Monday - Friday 8 am - 5 pm

Assistant County Attorneys perform a variety of highly responsible and often complex work involving delivery of legal services to the Board of County Commissioners, and the Board's subordinate boards and commissions. Absent conflict, Assistant County Attorneys will provide legal services to the County Administrator and his/her senior management team, and, where requested and approved, to constitutional officers and other public officials where the exercise of their duties concern or impact Manatee County.

Job Description

The County Attorney’s Office comprehensively serves the legal needs of the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners, as the governing body of Manatee County, and renders legal advice to the Board, the County Administrator, and to departments and agencies under the jurisdiction of the Board.
Assistant County Attorneys perform a variety of highly responsible and often complex work.
Essential Duties
These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position.
Drafts memoranda addressing questions of law or the application of law to facts.
Drafts, and where needed assists in negotiating leases, licenses, contracts, franchise agreements and similar documents.
Provides advice and counsel to the County Commission, County Administrator and other officials as assigned.
Assists County Administrator and senior managers with the development of administrative policies and procedures which are compliant with laws, due process, and other relevant legal concerns.
Drafts and presents ordinances and resolutions for consideration and adoption by the Board of County Commissioners.
Reviews proposed state or federal legislation and advises the County Commission, Administrator, or County staff or lobbyists as to the legal effects or import of the legislation and assists in drafting proposed legislative amendments as needed. May be assigned to directly lobby legislators or legislative staff where appropriate.
Litigates cases before state or federal judicial and quasi-judicial officers or bodies, including reviewing, evaluating and drafting pleadings, witness interview and preparation, taking and defending depositions, drafting and responding to discovery requests and drafting and arguing appellate briefs.
Undertakes and conducts settlement negotiations without direct supervision subject to approval limits established by County ordinance or policy.
Actively practices preventative law by recognizing and addressing possible legal problems before they become problems and designing and conducting training to County staff on legal matters.
May supervise or oversee the work of outside special counsel, including review of work performed and billing statements.
Occasionally provides information or official statements to media representatives on matters concerning legal services being performed, or in order to ensure the County's legal position is appropriately articulated.
Assists County Attorney in hiring and directs and evaluates the work of assigned legal assistants and paralegals and supervises any assigned interns or law clerks.
Performs such other duties as the County Attorney may assign.
Performs other related work (including weather or extreme emergency duties) as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Juris Doctor degree from an ABA accredited law school is required.
Up to Three (3) years for position to be hired at or near entry level of pay range.

Three to Seven (3 - 7) years relevant experience (may vary by practice area(s) depending on office needs) with significant local government or relevant practice area experience to be hired at rate significantly higher than entry level of pay range.

Florida Bar member in good standing required.

Candidates with at least three years of experience in any combination of these practice areas will be considered: real estate, eminent domain, litigation, appellate practice, city/county/local government, contracts, labor and employment, and procurement.

Valid driver's license required with valid Florida driver license required within 30 days of hire.

More

Certification in local government law or other relevant practice area desired.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of the constitutional, common, administrative and statutory law of Florida relevant to Florida local government and to any assigned practice areas, as well as relevant federal constitutional, common, administrative and statutory law.
Knowledge of all relevant County policies and procedures, including the meeting procedures of the Board of County Commissioners.
Knowledge of all relevant ethical and legal rules governing the practice of law and the conduct of attorneys, including the Rules Regulating the Florida Bar.
Working knowledge of rules of evidence, civil procedure, and appellate procedures both in the judicial and quasi-judicial contexts.
Ability to analyze complex factual and legal problems and develop understandable, comprehensive strategies, recommendations or other responses to the client.
Knowledge of the methods and techniques relevant to effective legal research, and skill in identifying and analyzing information, and ability to express sound judgments based upon findings. This includes firm working knowledge of the use of online research products such as Westlaw and Lexis, as well as traditional paper case reporters, legal encyclopedias, digests, and the like.
Ability to effectively oversee and evaluate the work of assigned assistants and paralegals.
Ability to clearly, effectively, succinctly, confidently professionally and discreetly communicate, verbally and in writing.
Ability to exercise sound independent judgment without the need to consult unnecessarily with the County Attorney on routine matters and discernment regarding his or her duty to keep the County Attorney informed of significant matters.
Ability to organize, prioritize and manage a significant workload so as to ensure all matters assigned are performed in a timely and thorough manner.
Ability to honor the duty of client confidentiality, and to exercise mature discretion with respect to all communications both within the office and outside of it, avoiding gossip, rumormongering, or denigration of colleagues, staff, elected or appointed officials, or others.
Ability to remain calm and professional in the face of provocation by opposing counsel, agents of the client, or others.
Ability and willingness to work hard, and to spend such time and effort on an assigned matter so as to produce a timely, successful work product.
Knowledge of and ability to effectively use modern business software including current Windows operating system, e mail systems, electronic calendaring and scheduling, word processing programs such as Word, and metadata screening software.
Ability to travel to conferences, meetings, depositions, trials and the like, both by car and plane.
Ability to sit at a desk for long periods of time, and to type on a keyboard.

Manatee County offers a comprehensive benefits package including a Telecommuting Program.

A cover letter and resume may be submitted to patricia.nolan@mymanatee.org.
Writing samples and references may be requested from finalists.

Veterans Preference

In accordance with Florida Statute 295.07, F.S., Chapter 55A-7, priority consideration in employment will be given to eligible veterans and spouses of disabled veterans. Applicants claiming preference must provide a DD Form 214 or other acceptable documentation with their application. We are committed to honoring the service and sacrifices of our veterans and their families.

EEO/ADA Statement

Manatee County Government is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you require any accommodations to participate in the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources at 941-748-4501 x 3865.

Drug-Free Workplace

Manatee County Government is a drug-free workplace in accordance with Federal and Florida Law.

Emergency Response/Recovery Activities

All employees may be required to work before, during, or after an emergency. During an emergency, employees may temporarily be assigned to work and perform duties outside the normal scope of their position, location, and work schedule to fit the needs of the County and its citizens.

• ComPsych– offers all employees and their family members with emotional, financial, legal, and work/life balance support.
• LAMP counselors available for personal support including emotional, substance abuse, marital, and financial issues.
• Five (5) free visits annually for employees and covered family members.

• Wellness/Health Coaches (5 Free per year)
• On-site Fitness Centers for you and your dependents with 24/7 access
• Personal Training (5 Free per year)
• Pharmacy Technician
• Group Fitness Classes
• Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy Management
• Diabetes Care Program
• Registered Dietician (5 Free per year)
• Massages with licensed therapist (small copay)

• Workers’ Compensation
• Training/Seminars
• Premium Pay Differentials/Career Ladders
• Government employee discounts at many retailers and attractions
• Access to Manatee County Library Services (books, digital services, tools, museum passes).

• 12 Paid Holidays including New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
• Three (3) Personal Holidays
• Personal Sick Leave
• Family Sick Leave
• Sick Leave Bank (Donated Hours)
• Professional Medical Appointment Leave
• Bereavement Leave
• Military Leave
• Military Training Leave
• FMLA

• Award-winning Health Plan with deductibles as low as $0.
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Prescription Insurance
• Life Insurance (6 times salary at low cost)
• Long-term and Short-term Disability Insurance

• Florida Retirement System (FRS) with Pension Plan and Investment Plan options.
• 457b Tax Deferred and ROTH account options through Voya.
• FRS Webinars
• Free financial guidance with licensed, non-commissioned financial planner

• Professional Leadership Programs
• Instructor-Led and eLearning Training
• Premium Pay Differentials/Career Ladders
• Career Counseling
• Toastmasters
• Networking Membership (Manatee Chamber of Commerce, Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance)
• Employee Recognition Programs with monetary and time-off awards

• Tuition Reimbursement eligible after six (6) months of service, including GED reimbursement.
• Continuing Education support through Training/Seminars and Premium Pay Differentials/Career Ladder.
• Public Safety Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

• Options for Health Care and Dependent Care Spending Accounts providing pre-tax savings.