Legislative Analyst/Attorney

General Summary

This position functions as an expert on matters related to Florida’s local governments, including home rule authority and local preemption, veterans, the Florida National Guard, the Florida State Guard, and the military. The position also has responsibility for local bills. Under supervision of the staff director and policy chief, the legislative analyst / attorney applies this expertise when researching and preparing bill analyses, reports, legislation, and amendments; responding to inquiries; and developing correspondence. The legislative analyst / attorney also provides counsel and advice to legislative committees.

Examples of Work Performed

• Analyzes and objectively summarizes proposed legislation to determine its effectiveness and the impact of its passage on the state, local governments, and other entities and individuals.
• Counsels and advises legislative committees.
• Drafts legislation and amendments to legislation.
• Monitors and coordinates the progress of committee legislation through committees of reference and on the floor.
• Monitors the implementation of legislation by the Executive branch and local governments, and the interpretation of legislation by the Judicial branch, to ascertain whether legislative intent is met.
• Prepares oral and written reports on research and committee work such as end of session committee reports, interim projects, and oversight reports.
• Keeps abreast of new and ongoing issues affecting assigned area of responsibility by monitoring agency rulemaking, collecting resource materials, attending workshops and conferences, reading industry publications, and communicating with agency and local government personnel.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent writing skills.
• Knowledge of legal terminology and legal research methods.
• Knowledge of Florida laws and legal procedure.
• Knowledge of committee subject area.
• Skill in reading comprehension, analysis, research, and organization.
• 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, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to deal tactfully and courteously with the demands of legislators and their staff, the public, and lobbyists.
• Ability to produce quality work under pressure.
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to conduct in-depth, carefully documented, and credible analysis under minimal supervision within established deadlines.
• Ability to collect and analyze data.
• Ability to work cooperatively as a team member and to contribute to the efficient internal functioning of the committee staff.
• Ability to research legal documents and legal references.
• Ability to exercise discretion and confidentiality.

Minimum Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and three years of professional experience in research, analysis, program planning and evaluation, or administrative work.
• 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.
• For attorneys: Good standing with The Florida Bar.

Salary

Salary commensurate with experience.

Benefits

• 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

Employer

Florida Legislature

Contact Information

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

Phone: (850) 488-6803