Senior Associate Counsel

Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office is seeking an experienced Senior Associate Counsel to join our General Counsel Bureau. This position serves as a trusted legal advisor to the Sheriff, executive leadership, and agency members, providing guidance on a wide range of legal matters that impact daily operations. The successful candidate will bring significant prior experience in independently handling all aspects of motor vehicle accident cases. Prior trial experience in auto negligence litigation and strong litigation, negotiation, and communication skills are required. This is an opportunity to defend one of the largest and most respected sheriff's offices in Florida as it pertains to bodily injury auto negligence litigation. Although the senior associate counsel may also represent the agency in other state and federal court litigation, review contracts and agency policies, and support agency initiatives that help us fulfill our mission of service to the community, this position is primarily for managing legal matters related to agency vehicle crashes and related litigation.

Salary: Negotiable - commensurate with experience

The background investigation process may take up to 6 weeks depending upon the complexity of the applicant's background and position for which they've applied.

Under the general direction of the General Counsel, the main focus of this position is to provide timely and accurate support regarding all legal issues affecting the agency. Work is reviewed through observation and results obtained.

SUPERVISES OTHERS: No

• Represents the Sheriff’s office on various matters in both State and Federal court
• Answers various legal questions posed by the Sheriff and other members of the agency related to their duties
• Creates and/or reviews and/or files pleadings and contracts
• Prepares and handles all matters related to representation of the Sheriff in forfeiture cases
• Responds to inmate and citizen complaints as appropriate
• Prepares for and handles all matters related to releases of property which has been taken for safekeeping
• Drafts and/or reviews policies and procedures affecting the agency
• Provides training on current case law, legal issues and new legislation
• Reviews proposed and recently enacted legislation work with FSA and PASS on legislative matters
• Participates in Inmate Welfare Committee meetings and provides legal counsel to the Committee
• Regular and reliable attendance is required as an essential function of the position
• This position is considered essential and, in the event of an emergency or natural disaster, will be required to report to work
• Participates in Sheriff’s Office recruitment and community relations activities as directed

This list is not intended to be all-inclusive and you may not be responsible for every item listed. The employer reserves the right to assign additional functions and responsibilities as necessary

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from a regionally accredited college or university
• Five (5) years of experience as an attorney, at least three (3) of which directly involve auto negligence litigation admission to The Florida Bar
• Prior experience handling motor vehicle accident litigation and related claims required
• Must possess a valid Florida driver’s license
• Consideration for this position requires a credit check

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of State statutes, laws, ordinances and regulations in the County, State and Federal courts, rules of civil, criminal and appellate procedures to respond to legal issues raised
• Ability to analyze and organize facts to define legal issues
• Ability to conduct legal research to locate relevant laws, regulations, ordinances and relevant cases
• Communication skills, both orally and in writing, to clearly and concisely communicate with members and citizens
• Problem solving skills to resolve conflicts and answer inquiries
• Ability to perform all functions of the job classification without posing a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace

Physical Abilities

The physical abilities listed below are estimates of time spent during a typical work day to perform essential functions and responsibilities. Members in this position may be required to:

• Sit up to 7 hours per day
• Stand up to 1 hours per day
• Walk up to 1 hours per day
• Occasionally lift up to 10 lbs.
• Occasionally bend, squat, climb, reach, kneel, and twist