Drafter

General Summary

This is work preparing bills, amendments, and other documents relating to the legislative drafting process; requiring legislative and legal research to draft Member requested documents; and providing advice to the staff director, internal office drafting staff, Members and committee staff relating to drafting requests.

Financial Disclosure

Pursuant to sections 112.3144 and 112.3145, F.S., this position is required to electronically file a Form 1 – Statement of Financial Interests with the Florida Commission on Ethics within 30 days of hire.

Examples of Work Performed

• Drafts legislative bills, resolutions, memorials, tributes, and amendments in technically complete language at the direction of the Member.
• Performs legislative research on state and federal law and other matters relating to drafting requests.
• Provides information and problem-solving assistance to Members and House staff for the development and drafting of legislative proposals.
• Provides periodic review of Florida Supreme Court and other court opinions impacting the drafting of legislation.
• Keeps abreast of new and ongoing issues affecting assigned subject matter areas.
• Provides research and drafting assistance for periodic updates to the drafting manual.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Knowledge of legal terminology.
• Knowledge of Florida laws and agency rules, especially in assigned subject areas.
• Knowledge of computer word processing, spreadsheet, and data base programs.
• Skill in reading comprehension, writing, analysis, research, and organization.
• Skill in researching state and federal legislation, laws, rules and other legal documents and references.
• Skill in communicating effectively and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Skill in taking action in situations which lack clear direction.
• Skill in taking initiative on independent research projects.
• Skill in dealing respectfully and courteously with Members, their staff, the public, and lobbyists.
• Skill in planning, organizing, and coordinating work assignments and producing quality work under pressure and time constraints.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with others.
• Skill in exercising discretion and maintaining confidentiality.

Minimum Qualifications

• Attorney in good standing with The Florida Bar or a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and three years of experience as a Legislative Analyst or related position that involves the drafting or analysis of legislation.
• A master’s degree from an accredited college or university can substitute for one year of the required experience.
• A doctorate from an accredited college or university can substitute for two years of the required experience.
• Professional experience as described above can substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required college education.

Salary

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.
• 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

• 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.
• Dental insurance offers a PPO plan that pays from 50 to 100 percent of usual, customary, and reasonable charges.
• The Legislature pays the total premium for full-time employees and part-time employees pay premiums based on the total hours of work.
• Dental insurance has a $1500 maximum benefit per plan year.

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.
• Disability insurance 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

• 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 $40,000. Note: All values are based on individual plans.