Legislative Analyst/Attorney

State of Florida•Tallahassee, FL

About The Position

This position serves as a technical expert to a legislative committee, legislators, and the public on subject matter within the committee’s jurisdiction. Under close supervision of the staff director and committee members, the legislative analyst/attorney applies subject-matter expertise to research and prepare staff analyses, reports, legislation, and amendments; respond to inquiries; and develop correspondence. The position requires electronic filing of a Form 1 – Statement of Financial Interests with the Florida Commission on Ethics within 30 days of hire, pursuant to sections 112.3144 and 112.3145, F.S.

Requirements

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 may substitute for one year of the required experience.
A doctorate from an accredited college or university may substitute for two years of the required experience.
Professional experience in the described areas may substitute year for year for the required college education.
Applicants for the Attorney position must be an attorney in good standing with The Florida Bar.
Knowledge of legal terminology and legal research.
Knowledge of the committee subject area.
Knowledge of Florida laws and legal procedure.
Skill in reading comprehension, analysis, research, and organization.
Ability to provide legal counsel; interpret state and federal legislation, laws, and rules; employ legal reasoning and foresee possible legal problems.
Ability to communicate effectively and concisely verbally and in writing.
Ability to act when situations lack clear direction and take initiative on independent research projects.
Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments; establish and maintain effective working relationships; and use independent judgment when releasing information to the public.
Ability to collect and analyze data, conduct meetings, make presentations, perform legal writing, and prepare legal documents.

Responsibilities

Assist with research evaluating state statutes and prepare informational material on questions submitted by authorized persons.
Analyze and objectively summarize proposed legislation to assess its effectiveness and potential impact on the state and other entities and individuals.
Research and draft legislative bills, resolutions, and amendments in technically complete language under the direction of committee leadership and other legislators and under supervision.
Advise legislators and legislative committees on legislation and legislative programs, and interpret state and federal legislation related to governmental programs.
Recommend legislative changes based on case-law trends, agency comments, or citizen requests.
Research questions involving interpretation of Florida Statutes and other matters for legislators and staff; answer telephone inquiries and compose routine constituent responses.
Monitor and coordinate committee legislation as it progresses through committees of reference and on the floor.
Monitor implementation of legislation in the Executive and Judicial Branches to determine whether legislative intent is met.
Assist in planning committee meetings, including agendas, speakers, presentations, and materials.
Brief legislators verbally or in writing on issues for committee meetings, floor discussions, or constituent matters.
Prepare letters, summaries, talk-sheets or speeches, reports, and informational memoranda on committee issues at the request of committee leadership, legislators, or the staff director.
Stay informed about new and ongoing issues in the assigned area by collecting resources, attending workshops and conferences, reading industry publications, and communicating with agency lobbyists and personnel.
Maintain communications with agency heads and their assigned deputies, assistants, and agency general counsels.
Perform other related duties as required.