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If interested please apply at: https://www.co.walton.fl.us/1189/Careers

Job Summary Under the direction of the Walton County Board of County Commissioners (BCC); the County Attorney, performs a variety of complex, technical, managerial, administrative, and professional legal work in providing legal counsel to the BCC. The County Attorney reports directly to the BCC and serves at their pleasure. The County Attorney is required to be a member of the Florida Bar and therefore is exempt from the provisions of veteran preference laws.

Essential Job Functions The following statements describe the principal functions of this job and its scope of responsibility but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including working in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods or otherwise to balance the workload.

• Provides written and oral legal opinions, advice, and guidance to the BCC
• Attends BCC meetings and renders legal assistance, opinions and advice as requested
• Represents the BCC in legal matters, including bringing and defending suits
• Coordinates with others concerns regarding legal issues, as needed
• Acts as liaison with other legal activities under the jurisdiction of the BCC
• Confers with County Commissioners, County Administrator, departments, officers, and employees, as necessary and required, in reference to legal questions
• Reviews documents of legal significance before submission to the BCC for action
• Drafts contracts and resolutions, special legislative acts or other legal documents and reviews them for content and accuracy
• Receives all requests from County officers for legal opinions
• Manages the operation and supervises the personnel of the Office of County Attorney
• Participates in the disciplinary process of staff and makes recommendations
• Supervises staff; trains assigned staff and completes performance reviews
• Assigns work to legal staff and makes recommendations for other legal contracts as needed
• Adheres to work schedule and attendance requirements, including nights and weekends
• Performs other work as directed and required

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of the statutory and constitutional laws of the State of Florida, especially as they apply to county government
• Knowledge of judicial procedures and the methods and practices of pleading and of effective techniques in presentation of cases
• Knowledge of government operations and administration with emphasis relating to their legal significance and inter-related functions
• Knowledge of principles, methods, and practices of legal research
• Ability to draft legal instruments and proposed legislative and related ordinances, resolutions, and policies
• Ability to analyze, appraise and organize legal facts, evidence, and precedents for cases
• Ability to present material orally and in writing in clear logical form
• Ability to manage the operation and results achieved by a legal services organization
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• Ability to establish and maintain effective, courteous working relationships with public officials, peers, other divisions and departments, and citizens
• Ability to remain calm in stressful situations and to take a teamwork approach to the job by cooperating with others, offering to help others when needed, and considering larger organization or team goals rather than individual concerns

Qualifications, Training, and Experience REQUIRED:

• Juris Doctorate degree from an American Bar Association accredited law school
• Ten (10) or more years of professional experience as a practicing attorney in legal research and trial work
• Five (5) or more years of professional experience practicing law for a local government organization          
• Member of the Florida Bar in good standing
• Valid driver license

PREFERRED:

• Five (5) or more years of professional experience in a management position
• Two (2) or more years of professional experience working for a Florida county government

Note :  An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered as determined by the hiring manager and/or HR Director.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT The following physical activities are necessary to perform one or more essential functions of this position.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. This position may be required to report for work when a declaration of emergency has been declared in Walton County.  Sits or stands long periods of time. Communicates effectively in person or by using telecommunications equipment. Creates documents, reports, etc., using a writing instrument (such as a pencil or pen) or computer. Grasps, turns, and manipulates objects of varying size and weight, requiring fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Moves, lifts, carries, and places objects weighing up to 25 pounds without assistance. Work is performed mostly in an office setting where the noise level is usually quiet. Travel between locations to effectively address the business needs of the department.