Assistant County Attorney

St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners is seeking an Assistant and Senior Assistant County Attorneys for our well-established County Attorneys 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 nations 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 Attorneys Office.

The newly selected Assistant or Senior Assistant 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 Assistant or Senior Assistant County Attorney candidate must possess St. Johns Countys 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:

• Attends Board of County Commissioners meetings and various advisory board meetings to provide advice on pending matters.
• Counsels elected and appointed officials, department heads and staff on local, state and federal provisions.
• Appears in civil and administrative proceedings to represent the Countys interests; identifies deficiencies in cases filed against the County; prepares and files pleadings and motions; generates and responds to discovery; respond and resolve issues related to subpoenas; files dispositive motions; participates in mediation; prepares case for trial; files post-verdict/decision motions.
• Consults and coordinates with outside counsel in defense of the Countys interests.
• Negotiates, prepares and reviews complex commercial and construction transactions with private and public entities; drafts and reviews county contracts, interlocal agreements, memoranda of understanding, and memoranda of agreement.
• Recommends or drafts County policies to reflect expressed goals of the Board of County Commissioners or elected officials; assist County Attorney in identifying and minimizing potential risks.
• Prepares and reviews proposed legislation, ordinances and resolutions for submission to the Board of County Commissioners.
• Assists in the preparation of agenda items to the Board of County Commissioners or the Planning and Zoning Agency.
• Conducts public workshops.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

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

• Graduation and a Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited school of law.
• Minimum of three - five (3-5) years experience as a practicing attorney, a considerable amount of which shall have been in the practice of local, government law, or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required skills and abilities.
• Must be eligible to practice law in the State of Florida, Board certification in City, County and Local Government Law preferred.
• Litigation and land use experience are preferred.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida drivers 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 Countys Online Application System: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sjcfl

Applications must be submitted through St. Johns Countys 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.