Closing Date: 31st October, 2025
Description:
General Description of Duties:Starting placement will generally not exceed 15% of the advertised initial salary range and is based on qualifications, experience, and internal equity.
The primary purpose of this position is to assist the County Attorney in primarily land use matters, delivering legal services, advice, and counsel to Development Support and Environmental Management, the Tallahassee-Leon County Planning Department and Public Works, including certain boards and agencies organized under the Board of County Commissioners.
Note: The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
Essential Duties:
Provides Legal Advice and Counsel.
Provides legal advice and counsel for Development Support and Environmental Management, Planning and specific Public Works assignments; represents staff at the Planning Commission, Board of Adjustments and Appeals, Development Review Committee and Application Review meetings; provides advice for development and building permits, subdivision plats, comprehensive planning and zoning, or other topics as assigned; interacts with County staff in a tactful and professional manner.
Prepares, Reviews and Edits Legal Documents.
Prepares and analyzes various legal documents, including legal opinions, ordinances and resolutions, easements, development agreements, concurrency agreements, performance agreements and bonds, plats, policies, forms, bylaws, agenda items, as well as general office documents such as letters and memoranda; prepares documents in accordance with established office and County policies and procedures; works with County staff as necessary to produce a high-quality, finished work product.
Performs Research, Analysis, and Writing.
Performs or directs legal research and preparation of legal opinions; analyzes a variety of issues related to land use law, including development orders, building permits, subdivision plats, as well as other various topics for DSEM, Planning, and Public Works, and provides the results both orally and in writing in an organized and concise manner; maintains a working knowledge of print and electronic research methods, including Westlaw.
Handles Claims, Complaints, and Other Matters.
Represents the County on appeals and complaints by or against the County relating to development orders and building permits; prepares and files pleadings in a variety of courts; prepares cases for trial and serves as trial counsel before administrative, county, state, and federal courts; attends depositions, mediations, and hearings; recommends action and takes such action as is necessary.
Maintains up To Date Legal Knowledge and Completes Required Continuing Education.
Stays current on legislative changes and developments for application to areas related to land use law; completes the required number of continuing legal education hours and reports same to the Florida Bar in a timely manner; maintains a license in good standing with the Florida Bar.
Effectively and Efficiently Operates Personal Computer, Other Office Machines, and Software.
Maintains a working knowledge of the assigned personal computer and other office equipment, as well as all software assigned to this position, and informs supervisor when training is needed.
Other Important or Marginal Duties
Effectively and efficiently operates personal computer, other office machines, and software. Maintains a working knowledge of the assigned personal computer and other office equipment, as well as all software assigned to this position, and informs supervisor when training is needed.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of administrative, local, state, federal, common, and constitutional law affecting county government, including land use law; knowledge of ordinances and charter provisions relating to the authority and functions of county departments, boards, and agencies; knowledge of judicial procedures and rules of evidence; knowledge of established precedents and sources of legal reference applicable to county activities; ability to prepare and try civil law cases before administrative, county, state and federal courts; ability to analyze and prepare a variety of legal documents; ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; ability to conduct and direct research at an advanced level and produce a finished work product that requires recognition, evaluation, organization, analysis, and communication of relevant facts and legal concepts; ability to work independently, organize and prioritize assignments, and meet deadlines; ability to follow through on assignments without supervision and with attention to detail; extensive knowledge of business English, spelling, grammar and punctuation; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, county officials, and the general public.
Sufficient computer skills to enable assignments to be completed in a timely manner. Working knowledge of personal computers, Microsoft Suite, Adobe Acrobat, Westlaw; knowledge of electronic document management systems in general; willingness to learn new software.
Complexity of Work
Work involves complex, varied, and frequently non-standardized tasks requiring the application of skills and practices in the areas of deductive reasoning and advanced research and analysis of case law, statutes, and other legal texts and the ability to translate the relevant research findings into written opinions for the client.
Internal and External Customer Contacts
Contacts are made with all levels of County employees, elected officials, business and government leaders, and the public for the purpose of furnishing, gathering, or exchanging information.
Equipment and Tools Used
Use of personal computer, other office machines, and various software programs, including Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, Legal Files and County Law Document Management Software. Sufficient computer skills to enable assignments to be completed in a timely manner.
Minimum Requirements:
Necessary Special Requirements:
All Leon County employees (regular full-time and part-time, OPS, and PRN) are required to work before, during and after a Declared Local State of Emergency (DLSOE). Participation is considered a condition of employment.
Selection Guidelines:
Formal application, resume, rating of education and experience, oral interview, writing sample, and reference checks.
FLSA Status: Exempt. Position performs professional legal work, requiring membership in The Florida Bar. Work requires extensive study of the law and employee must exercise considerable discretion and independent judgment.
Revision History: July 1, 1999; October 14, 2002; October 15, 2002; September 26, 2010; October 1, 2018; November 6, 2019; January 17, 2020; August 23, 2021; June 27, 2022; September 17, 2025; October 13, 2025.
Effectively and efficiently operates personal computer, other office machines, and software. Maintains a working knowledge of the assigned personal computer and other office equipment, as well as all software assigned to this position, and informs supervisor when training is needed.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of administrative, local, state, federal, common, and constitutional law affecting county government, including land use law; knowledge of ordinances and charter provisions relating to the authority and functions of county departments, boards, and agencies; knowledge of judicial procedures and rules of evidence; knowledge of established precedents and sources of legal reference applicable to county activities; ability to prepare and try civil law cases before administrative, county, state and federal courts; ability to analyze and prepare a variety of legal documents; ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; ability to conduct and direct research at an advanced level and produce a finished work product that requires recognition, evaluation, organization, analysis, and communication of relevant facts and legal concepts; ability to work independently, organize and prioritize assignments, and meet deadlines; ability to follow through on assignments without supervision and with attention to detail; extensive knowledge of business English, spelling, grammar and punctuation; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, county officials, and the general public.
Sufficient computer skills to enable assignments to be completed in a timely manner. Working knowledge of personal computers, Microsoft Suite, Adobe Acrobat, Westlaw; knowledge of electronic document management systems in general; willingness to learn new software.
Complexity of Work
Work involves complex, varied, and frequently non-standardized tasks requiring the application of skills and practices in the areas of deductive reasoning and advanced research and analysis of case law, statutes, and other legal texts and the ability to translate the relevant research findings into written opinions for the client.
Internal and External Customer Contacts
Contacts are made with all levels of County employees, elected officials, business and government leaders, and the public for the purpose of furnishing, gathering, or exchanging information.
Equipment and Tools Used
Use of personal computer, other office machines, and various software programs, including Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, Legal Files and County Law Document Management Software. Sufficient computer skills to enable assignments to be completed in a timely manner.
Minimum Requirements:
- Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor degree.
- Must be a member of the Florida Bar and in good standing.
- Four years of experience practicing law in Florida, with two of those years being in the area of environmental and land use law.
- Must possess a valid Florida Driver's License.
- Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations.
Necessary Special Requirements:
All Leon County employees (regular full-time and part-time, OPS, and PRN) are required to work before, during and after a Declared Local State of Emergency (DLSOE). Participation is considered a condition of employment.
Selection Guidelines:
Formal application, resume, rating of education and experience, oral interview, writing sample, and reference checks.
FLSA Status: Exempt. Position performs professional legal work, requiring membership in The Florida Bar. Work requires extensive study of the law and employee must exercise considerable discretion and independent judgment.
Revision History: July 1, 1999; October 14, 2002; October 15, 2002; September 26, 2010; October 1, 2018; November 6, 2019; January 17, 2020; August 23, 2021; June 27, 2022; September 17, 2025; October 13, 2025.
