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Summary

The St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners is seeking a motivated and skilled County Attorney for our well-established County Attorney’s Office whose headquarters are in beautiful St. Augustine, Florida.  

St. Johns County is a coastal paradise abounding in lush greenery, beautiful beaches, a booming economy, a deeply rich history, and a family-friendly environment. The area has rightly received much praise and recognition nationally and internationally. The County is located in northeastern Florida, just 35 miles south of Jacksonville and 74 miles east of Gainesville. St. Johns County is home to the famed cities of St. Augustine and St. Augustine Beach, as well as multiple unincorporated communities. Niche.com ranked St. Johns County #1 out of 67 for Best Counties to Live in Florida and #55 of 2,768 for Best Counties to Live in America (2023). Teeming with Florida sunshine, outdoor activities, family events, and kindhearted neighbors, it’s a place that many love to call home.

St. Johns County operates under a Commission-Administrator form of government, with a five-person Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). These Commissioners are elected at large, though each individual represents a different geographical district.

Within the Board, members select who will serve as Chair and Vice-Chair positions which ensures order during meetings without providing any additional voting power. Often, a simple majority is needed to pass various motions and decisions. The BOCC appoints the County Attorney.

The St. Johns County Attorney's Office is responsible for providing legal services and issues legal opinions for the Board of County Commissioners, the County Administration Office, and other County staff. The newly appointed County Attorney will be responsible for the supervision of the office staff, which includes five Attorneys and three legal support staff.

In addition to day-to-day staff supervision, the newly appointed County Attorney also provides professional legal work of a sometimes complex, and responsible nature for St. Johns County.   Assigned work is performed with limited independence within the framework of established policies and requires considerable responsibility, initiative, and judgment. 

Job Description

The ideal County Attorney candidate must lead with St. Johns County’s core values consisting of: visionary, dedication, integrity, and humility. These core values are central to our operations. Some of the specific tasks include but are not limited to: 

• Manages the daily operations of the County Attorney’s Office and assigns and reviews casework of all County attorneys.
• Appears in court and defends the county in cases filed against it; identifies deficiencies in the case; files motions; generates and responds to discovery; files dispositive motions; participates in mediation; prepares case for trial and presents it to jury or bench; files post-verdict motions.
• Assists in the trial of semi-civil cases.
• Investigates claims and complaints by or against the County; recommends appropriate action and takes action as necessary.
• Represents the County in administrative hearings.
• Prosecutes and defends appeals on behalf of the county; reviews trial court transcripts and testimony, identifies errors of law committed by the trial court; submits issues to appellate court.
• Negotiates, prepares and reviews complex commercial and construction transactions with corporations and other governmental entities.
• Prepares, drafts, and reviews all types of County ordinances, resolutions, bond provisions, contracts, deeds and other legal documents.
• Counsels elected officials on official matters and advises department heads on legal issues and problems.
• Recommends or drafts county policies to reflect expressed goals of commissioners or elected officials; identifies and minimizes potential legal risks.
• Attends Board of County Commissioners meetings to provide advice on matters pending.
• Prepares proposed legislation for submission to the Board of County Commissioners and state legislature.
• Participates in ad hoc committees to examine specific areas of concern.
• Prepares the annual department budget; approves department expenditures and payroll.
• Maintains a full-time presence on the job.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge Required by the Position:

• Ability to conduct research on complex legal issues and prepare sound legal opinions. 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with associates, County officials, the Board of County Commissioners, and the general public. 
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing including public speaking. 
• Knowledge of local government law  
• Knowledge of land use law. 
• Knowledge of federal and state law. 
• Knowledge of procurement statutes. 
• Knowledge of employment law. 
• Knowledge of county rules and procedures. 
• Knowledge of computers and job-related software programs. 
• Skill in the completion of legal research. 
• Skill in producing persuasive legal arguments. 
• Skill in the analysis of problems and the development and implementation of solutions. 
• Skill in preparing and administering budgets. 
• Skill in oral and written communication. 

Job Requirements

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

• Graduation from an accredited school of law with a Juris Doctorate Degree. 
• Member of the Florida Bar Association. 
• Admitted to practice in the United States Middle District of Florida, preferred  
• Experience sufficient to thoroughly understand the diverse objectives and functions of the subunits in the division/department in order to direct and coordinate work within the division/department usually interpreted to require three to five years of related experience. 
• Minimum of ten (10) years’ experience in local government to include experience in County and State land use law, water/sewer utilities, employment law, risk management, environmental and conservation law, procurement, child welfare law, and Florida Sunshine law. 
• Seven years of supervisory experience. 
• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida driver's 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. 

Special Instructions

Please mention you found this employment opportunity on the CareersInGovernment.com job board.

Additional Information

NOTE TO APPLICANTS:  

Candidates may apply through St. Johns County’s Online Application System: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sjcfl   

Applications must be submitted through St. Johns County’s 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.