Attorney - Criminal Justice Subcommittee

Job Title

Attorney for the Judiciary - Criminal Justice Subcommittee

Job Description

This position primarily focuses on criminal legal issues. The attorney conducts legal research; analyzes legislation; drafts bills, amendments, staff analyses, legal memoranda, and other documents; and provides counsel and advice to legislators and legislative committees.

Examples of Work Performed

Drafts legislative bills and amendments in technically complete language.

Drafts staff analyses of filed legislation.

Briefs legislators personally or in writing on issues to be discussed in committee, on the floor, or with constituents.

Monitors and coordinates the progress of committee legislation through committees of reference and on the floor.

Provides legal counsel and advice to Legislators and legislative committees including the development of legislation and legislative programs, and interprets state and federal legislation related to programs of any governmental unit.

Recommends needed changes to legislation based upon trends in case law, agency comment or citizen request.

Performs legal research concerning the interpretation of Florida Statutes and on other matters in question for Legislators and staff, and answers telephone inquiries and composes routine responses to constituents.

Reviews agency action pursuant to Chapter 120, the Administrative Procedures Act, to identify instances of the invalid exercise of delegated legislative authority; monitors Florida court cases and administrative decisions and advises agencies accordingly.

Maintains communications with agency heads, or their assigned deputies, assistants, and agency general counsels.

Performs other related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of legal terminology.

Knowledge of Florida laws and legal procedure.

Skill in reading comprehension, analysis, research, and organization.

Ability to provide legal counsel.

Ability to interpret state and federal legislation, laws, and rules.

Ability to employ legal reasoning and to foresee possible legal problems.

Ability to communicate effectively and concisely verbally and in writing.

Ability to take action in situations which lack clear direction.

Ability to deal tactfully and courteously with the public, members and lobbyists.

Ability to take initiative on independent research projects.

Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

Ability to use independent judgment when releasing information to the public.

Ability to collect and analyze data.

Ability to conduct meetings and to make presentations.

Ability to perform legal writing and prepare various legal documents.

Minimum Qualifications

Attorney in good standing with The Florida Bar.

Salary commensurate with experience.

The Legislature offers a competitive benefits package.

Submission of Application

Interested parties may send a cover letter, resume and completed Florida Legislature Employment Application via GovernmentJobs.com or send an Alternate Application (Download PDF reader) (PDF) to:

Office of Administration & Professional Development Florida House of Representatives 402 South Monroe Street, 1201 Capitol Tallahassee, Florida 32399 Or email View email address on click.appcast.io

Accommodation for Disability

If an accommodation is needed for a disability, please notify Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Benefits

Working for the Florida Legislature includes a lucrative benefits package, including affordable health insurance options, free dental, long-term disability and employee life insurance, as well as competitive retirement. Employees have access to a college tuition waiver program, an employee assistance program, paid annual and sick leave, and paid holidays.

Health and Dental Insurance

Employees have a choice of participating in the State Self Insured Plan or a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) if available in the county of residence or employment (Standard and High Deductible Investor plans are available). Full-time employees pay $30 per month for family coverage or $8.34 per month for individual coverage. Part-time employees pay premiums based on the total hours of work. For dental insurance, the Legislature offers a PPO plan that offers choice of dentist and pays from 50 to 100 percent of usual, customary, and reasonable charges. There is a $1500 maximum benefit per plan year. The Legislature pays the total premium for full-time employees and part-time employees pay premiums based on the total hours of work.

Leave Accrual Benefits

Annual Leave accrues as follows based on creditable state service:

Up to 5 years - 11 hours per month

5 to 10 years - 13 hours per month

Over 10 years - 15 hours per month

Sick Leave accrues at 9 hours per month for all full-time employees.

Life and Disability Insurance

Group Term life Insurance with an accidental death and dismemberment benefit provides $25,000 coverage. The Legislature pays the total premium for full-time employees and part-time employees pay premiums based on the total hours of work. For disability insurance, the Legislature offers a Group Long Term Disability Insurance Plan that provides a monthly benefit of 60 percent of covered monthly earnings after an elimination period of 360 days. The Legislature pays the total premium.

Retirement

Participation in the Florida Retirement System is compulsory for all salaried staff, except certain re-employed retirees. New employees have until the end of the eighth month following their first month of employment to select a retirement plan, from the traditional pension plan or the investment plan. New employees will receive an informational packet approximately two months after the hire date. Members and staff contribute 3% of their salary towards retirement and the Legislature pays the remainder of the premium.

Florida Pre-Tax Plan and Deferred Compensation Plan

This state sponsored program includes Supplemental Insurance Plans, Health Savings Account (when enrolled with an Investor Health Plan), and a Flexible Spending Program on a pretax basis. The Supplemental Insurance Plans include hospitalization, cancer/intensive care, dental, vision, and accidental/disability. The Flexible Spending Program includes healthcare and dependent care accounts. A competitive Deferred Compensation Plan is also offered. The State of Florida Deferred Compensation Plan offers a number of investment options including variable annuities, mutual funds, and a bank, with a variety of contract providers.

Paid Holidays

New Year's Day - Martin Luther King Day - Memorial Day - Independence Day - Labor Day - Veteran's Day - Thanksgiving Day - Friday After Thanksgiving - Christmas Day - Personal Holiday

Total Compensation Statement

The Total Compensation Statement provides a monetary value of each benefit listed below as well as a total annual compensation estimate. The annual salary amount used in this example is $60,000. Note: All values are based on individual plans.