Performs professional work in providing legal services necessary to affect the rights, privileges, and obligations of the County. An employee in this class is responsible for researching legal questions; preparing ordinances, resolutions, policies, and other legal documents; and rendering legal opinions. Work is performed under the direction of the County Attorney and is reviewed through conferences, inspection of documents, and evaluation of results obtained. Assistant County Attorney positions are non-career civil service and serve at the pleasure of the County Attorney.
Note: 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.
Performs legal research and prepares opinions on various legal problems for County departments, boards and agencies. Prepares and drafts, or reviews, revises, and approves contracts, deeds, leases, easements, and other legal documents and instruments for various County departments; reviews such documents and renders opinions as to their legal acceptability.
Drafts ordinances, resolutions, opinions, reviews letters and other types of documents related to legal advisement and litigation.
Negotiates terms and conditions of contracts and agreements.
Reviews and provides guidance on planning and zoning items, reviews applications for legal sufficiency, attends board meetings, prepares development agreements and other planning and zoning related documents.
Prepares proposed legislation and makes recommendations to repeal, amend, or revise existing laws. Advises departmental officials and employees on legal questions.
Additional Duties:
Attends County Commission and board meetings as assigned. Represents the County at various internal board hearings and appeals.
Conducts trainings for County staff and board members, as assigned, on various legal issues.
Performs other duties as assigned.
In the event of an emergency, all employees are considered essential personnel and may be required to perform alternate duties.
Graduation from an accredited law school with at least five years of experience practicing law. Possession of diverse transactional skill set, preferably in city, county, or local government law. Knowledge of land use and planning, utilities, or real estate law is desired; ability to work on variety of legal matters affecting all areas of County is essential. Must be licensed to practice law in Florida and in good standing with the Florida Bar.
Additional Requirements
Knowledge of Municipal, County, State, Federal, common law, and constitutional law affecting the County government. Knowledge of judicial procedures and rules of evidence. Some knowledge of County ordinances and charter provisions relating to the authority and functions of County departments. Some knowledge of established precedents and sources of legal reference applicable to municipal activities.
Ability to analyze and prepare a variety of legal documents. Ability to conduct research on legal problems and to prepare legal opinions.
Board certification in City, County & Local Government Law is preferred, but not required.
Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver’s License.
All employees must attend Seminole County Required Trainings.
Department Specific trainings per position may be required.
Performance Expectations
Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communication with colleagues, County staff, and elected officials.
Ability to conduct through research and review of all legal matters with an attention to detail.