Organization: Walton County Board of County Commissioners

Location: DeFuniak Springs, FL

Job Status: Full Time

Salary Range: Negotiated with the BCC

Apply at: Walton County Careers

Job Summary

The County Attorney performs a variety of complex, technical, managerial, administrative, and professional legal work in providing legal counsel to the Walton County BCC. The County Attorney reports directly to the Walton County 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. (Section 110.205(2), F.S.)

Essential Job Functions

  • Oversees the Walton County BCC Office of the County Attorney, coordinating and integrating all activities toward achievement of established goals and objectives including developing and implementing department policies and procedures
  • Supervises all personnel within the Office of the County Attorney, including supervising, hiring, developing, evaluating, and separating employees
  • Provides written and oral legal opinions, advice, and guidance to the Walton County BCC
  • Attends Walton County BCC meetings and renders legal assistance, opinions, and advice
  • Represents the Walton County 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 Walton County BCC
  • Confers with County Commissioners, County Administrator, departments, officers, and employees in reference to legal questions
  • Reviews documents of legal significance before submission to the Walton County 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 Walton County BCC officers for legal opinions
  • Assigns work to legal staff and makes recommendations for other legal contracts
  • 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
  • Skill in drafting legal instruments and proposed legislative and related ordinances, resolutions, and policies
  • Skill in analyzing, appraise and organize legal facts, evidence, and precedents for cases
  • Skill in presenting 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

Minimum Qualifications

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 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 federal, state, or local government

Note:  At the discretion of the Walton County Board of County Commissioners and/or the Chief Human Resources Officer an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. 

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The following physical activities are necessary to perform one or more essential functions of this position.  A reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. 

Sits or stands for long periods of time.  Communicates effectively in person and/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 organizational needs of the department. 

This position may be required to report for work when a declaration of emergency has been declared in Walton County.

Effective Date: March 1, 2024

Department: County Attorney

Position #: 10114

Pay Plan: W33

Job Class: Executive

Personnel Status:  Full Time Permanent

Position Reports to: Walton County Board of County Commissioners

FSLA Status: Exempt (Executive)

EEO Class: Officials

EEO Function: Financial Administration

Safety Sensitive: No