Assistant County Attorney

Under general direction of the County Attorney, prosecutes and defends all civil and administrative cases assigned. Provides legal counsel and advice on matters of civil law to various County departments. Advanced professional position responsible for legal services in assigned work areas.

The expected starting salary will be at or near the minimum of the salary range.

• Provides legal counsel and advice on matters of government law to various County departments, as assigned.
• Prosecutes and defends all civil cases, as assigned. Such cases may include but are not limited to code enforcement, zoning appeals, eminent domain, inverse condemnation, animal control matters, contract disputes, labor disputes, bond validation, civil rights, and declaration actions, injunctions at the local level as well as any appeals that may follow, or cases in Federal Court.
• Prepares briefs, pleadings, and other legal documents and supervises necessary investigations, including interviewing witnesses. Tries cases and appeals adverse judgments to higher courts. Researches, performs discovery, and prepares for trials and appeals.
• Prepares or reviews ordinances, resolutions, contracts, leases, and memoranda as assigned by County Attorney and Deputy County Attorney, and Paralegal Director. Negotiates terms and conditions of contracts and agreements.
• Advises officials and employees on legal questions and prepares legal opinions for County Attorney and Deputy County Attorney. Researches and gathers facts, checks investigation reports, reviews files, answers correspondence, prepares responses to legal requests.
• Insures that the County Attorney and Deputy County Attorney are fully advised on all legal matters. Prepares client for Court. Works with minimal supervision, handles complex tasks.
• Attends Board of County Commissioners' meetings as assigned. Explains and interprets ordinances and statutes. Provides advice concerning legal questions within the operating departments.
• Attends meetings of County appointed boards, and council, and authorities as assigned. Provides legal advice and representation as assigned.
• Participates in the preparation and presentation of seminars on various legal issues.
• Assists County Attorney and Deputy County Attorney with County programs and agencies generating a wide range of complex issues involving land use, planning and zoning, utilities, legal actions, and matters involving all County departments.
• Analyzes legal controversies and recommends disposition to County Attorney and Deputy County Attorney.
• Timely communicates to County Attorney or Deputy County Attorney on all matters which have or could develop significant policy implications at the administrative or Board level.
• Prepares or reviews drafts of laws, regulations and administrative decisions having the effect of law.
• May be required to attend and speak to various civic organizations.
• Other duties as assigned.

Emergency Response
County employees are required to report for work during a state of emergency and are subject to recall around the clock for emergency response operations which may include duties other than those specified in this job description.

Minimum Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited college or university school of law and possession of Juris Doctorate.
• Five years of experience in the practice of law, with experience in federal, state or local government or agency or within the private practice of law with emphasis on local government law, real estate, eminent domain or any other county related matters to include extensive trial practice/experience. Utilities experience preferred.

Licenses, Certifications or Registrations

• Current member of the Florida Bar. Eligible for admittance in Federal Courts and U.S. Court of Appeals.

Required Competencies

• Knowledge of
  • common law, and of County, State and Federal laws and precedents, with particular references to the subject area of the assignment.
  • the principles, methods, materials and practices of legal research.
  • civil pleadings and effective techniques in the trial of such cases.
  • matter pertaining to local government and administrative practice.
• Ability to
  • litigate cases and follow judicial procedures and the rules of evidence.
  • attend County Commission meetings, administrative staff meetings, advisory board meetings, or other assigned meetings, upon a request to render advice on legal problems/concerns and questions of law.
  • meet with citizens, county officials and/or Commissioners regarding items of public concern.
  • to review agenda items and/or proposed departmental policies/procedures and offer sound legal advice.
  • analyze complex legal issues, facts, evidence, and precedents in moderately complex cases and to present such materials effectively in oral or written form.
  • to analyze and interpret complex legal documents and instruments.
  • perform assignments with minimal supervision and guidance.
  • prepare contracts, court presentations, and other legal documents.
  • deal tactfully and effectively with County officials and personnel, court officials and personnel, and the public.
  • to draft complaints, orders, motions, respond to discovery, request discovery, resolutions, contracts, interrogatories and other legal documents.
  • answer complaints, interrogatories and other legal documents.
  • to prepare for trial, such as requesting proper witnesses, reviewing case law and preparing for all possible scenarios.
  • work proficiently in stressful situations.

Physical Abilities

Constant: Acceptable eyesight (with or without correction), acceptable hearing (with or with a hearing aid). Frequent: Able to operate a pc computer at rate of 50 words per minute, ability to access, input and retrieve information from computer databases and Internet.

Environmental Conditions

Office and Courtroom environment; works closely with others.

Pay Grade: 15

Hernando County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, gender, orientation, national origin, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, disability, or any other protected characteristic as defined by law.

Hernando County is a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to drug testing in accordance with Federal and Florida State Law.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must provide notification to the BOCC in advance to allow sufficient time to provide an accommodation.