Attorney - Ways & Means Committee

General Summary

This tax attorney position serves as a technical and legal expert to the Ways & Means Committee, legislators, and the public on state and local government taxation and other financial matters under the jurisdiction of the committee. Under supervision of the staff director and committee members the attorney researches and prepares bill analyses, reports, legislation, and amendments; responds to inquiries; and develops correspondence.

Examples of Work Performed

• Analyzes and objectively summarizes proposed legislation to determine its effectiveness and the impact of its passage on the state and other entities and individuals.
• Researches and drafts legislation and amendments to legislation as required, including any ancillary summaries, talking points, or informational memoranda on such drafts, as directed.
• Performs legal research relevant to the development of legislation.
• Maintains and coordinates the progress of committee legislation through committees of reference and on the floor.
• Briefs legislators verbally or in writing on issues to be discussed in committee, on the floor, or with constituents.
• Prepares oral and written reports on research and committee work, such as end of session committee reports, interim projects, and oversight reports.
• Provides information and problem-solving assistance to legislators, their constituents, and the public.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of the subject matter under the jurisdiction of the committee, such as state and local government taxes and fees.
• Skill in reading comprehension, analysis, research, organization, and drafting.
• Ability to interpret state and federal tax, revenue and finance legislation, laws, and rules.
• Ability to employ legal reasoning and to foresee possible legal problems.
• Ability to communicate effectively and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to act in situations which lack clear direction.
• Ability to deal tactfully and courteously with all stakeholders in the legislative process.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to collect and analyze data.

Minimum Qualifications

• Admission to The Florida Bar

SALARY:

Commensurate with experience. The Legislature offers a competitive benefits package.

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.

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.

Retail

• 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.

Employer

Florida Legislature

Address

111 W Madison St STE 874
Tallahassee, Florida, 32399-1400

Phone

(850) 488-6803