Director Manatee County Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $85,000.00 - $195,000.00 Annually
Location : Bradenton, FL
Job Type: Full-Time (Salaried)
Job Number: 26-00303
Department: County Attorney
Opening Date: 06/18/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
General Information
Work Location: 1112 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton, Florida 34205
Work Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
The Manatee County Attorney's Office is seeking an Assistant County Attorney to join its team. The County Attorney's Office comprehensively serves the legal needs of the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners, as the governing body of Manatee County, and renders legal advice to the Board, the County Administrator, and to departments and agencies under the jurisdiction of the Board. Assistant County Attorneys perform a variety of highly responsible and often complex work. Candidates with at least three years of experience in any combination of these practice areas will be considered: administrative hearings, appellate practice, city/county/local government, contracts, eminent domain, labor and employment, land use, litigation, procurement, public finance and bonds, public utilities, transactional, and real estate. Manatee County offers a comprehensive benefits package, including a Telecommuting Program. A cover letter and resume may be submitted to patricia.nolan@mymanatee.org. Writing samples and references may be requested. Manatee County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer.
Assistant County Attorneys perform a variety of highly responsible and often complex work involving delivery of legal services to the Board of County Commissioners, and the Board's subordinate boards and commissions. Absent conflict, Assistant County Attorneys will provide legal services to the County Administrator and his/her senior management team, and, where requested and approved, to constitutional officers and other public officials where the exercise of their duties concern or impact Manatee County.
While Assistant County Attorneys will typically be assigned to render legal services in one or more primary and secondary practice areas, all Assistant County Attorneys may be assigned to perform legal services in any practice area, including litigation practice in judicial or quasi-judicial forums, and will be expected to maintain a solid understanding of laws related to Florida government, in addition to any assigned practice areas. Work is performed with significant independent exercise of professional discretion and judgment and is reviewed and evaluated by the appointed County Attorney.
Job Description
Essential Functions
These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position.
Actively practices preventative law by recognizing and addressing possible legal problems before they become problems and designing and conducting training to County staff on legal matters.
Assists the County Administrator and County staff with the development of administrative policies and procedures which are compliant with law, due process, and other relevant legal concerns.
Assists the County Attorney in the hiring of Assistant County Attorneys and other personnel of the office.
Directs and evaluates the work of assigned paralegals and legal assistants and supervises any assigned interns or law clerks.
Drafts and assists in negotiating leases, licenses, contracts, franchise agreements and similar documents.
Drafts and presents ordinances and resolutions for consideration and adoption by the Board of County Commissioners.
Drafts memoranda addressing questions of law or the application of law to facts.
Litigates or supervises the litigation of cases before state or federal judicial and quasi-judicial officers or bodies, including reviewing, evaluating and drafting pleadings, witness interview and preparation, taking and defending depositions, drafting and responding to discovery requests and drafting and arguing appellate briefs.
Provides advice and counsel to the Board of County Commissioners, County Administrator and other officials as assigned.
Reviews proposed state or federal legislation and advises the Board of County Commissioners, County Administrator, or County staff or lobbyists as to the legal effects or import of the legislation and assists in drafting proposed legislative amendments as needed.
Supervises and oversees the work of outside special counsel, including review of work performed and billing statements.
Undertakes and conducts settlement negotiations without direct supervision subject to approval limits established by County ordinance or policy.
Performs such other duties as the County Attorney may assign.
Minimum Qualifications
Juris Doctor degree from an ABA accredited law school.
Florida Bar member in good standing
More
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Ability and willingness to work hard, and to spend such time and effort on an assigned matter so as to produce a timely, successful work product.
Ability to analyze complex factual and legal problems and develop understandable, comprehensive strategies, recommendations or other responses to the client.
Ability to clearly, effectively, succinctly, confidently, professionally and discreetly communicate, verbally and in writing.
Ability to effectively oversee and evaluate the work of assigned paralegals and legal assistants.
Ability to exercise sound independent judgment without the need to consult unnecessarily with the County Attorney on routine matters and discernment regarding his or her duties to keep the County Attorney informed of significant matters.
Ability to honor the duty of client confidentiality, and to exercise mature discretion with respect to all communications both within and outside of the office.
Ability to organize, prioritize and manage a significant workload so as to ensure all matters assigned are performed in a timely and thorough manner.
Ability to remain calm and professional in the face of provocation by opposing counsel, agents of the client, or others.
Ability to sit at a desk for long periods of time, and to type on a keyboard.
Ability to travel to conferences, meetings, depositions, trials and the like, both by car and plane.
Firm working knowledge of the use of online research products such as Westlaw and Lexis, as well as traditional paper case reporters, legal encyclopedias, digests, and the like.
Knowledge of all relevant County policies and procedures, including the meeting procedures of the Board of County Commissioners.
Knowledge of all relevant ethical and legal rules governing the practice of law and the conduct of attorneys, including the Rules Regulating the Florida Bar.
Knowledge of and ability to effectively use modern business and legal software including current Windows operating system, e-mail systems, electronic calendaring and scheduling, word processing programs, and metadata screening software.
Knowledge of the constitutional, common, administrative and statutory law of Florida relevant to Florida local government and to any assigned practice areas, as well as relevant federal constitutional, common, administrative and statutory law.
Knowledge of the methods and techniques relevant to effective legal research, and skill in identifying and analyzing information, and ability to express sound judgments based upon findings.
Working knowledge of rules of evidence, civil procedure and appellate procedures, both in the judicial and quasi-judicial contexts.
This position has been designated by the Board of County Commissioners as serving at the will and pleasure of the County Attorney. Employees so designated may be terminated at any time with or without cause.
Veterans Preference
In accordance with Florida Statute 295.07, F.S., Chapter 55A-7, priority consideration in employment will be given to eligible veterans and spouses of disabled veterans. Applicants claiming preference must provide a DD Form 214 or other acceptable documentation with their application. We are committed to honoring the service and sacrifices of our veterans and their families.
EEO/ADA Statement
Manatee County Government is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you require any accommodations to participate in the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources at 941-748-4501 x 3865.
Drug-Free Workplace
Manatee County Government is a drug-free workplace in accordance with Federal and Florida Law.
Emergency Response/Recovery Activities
All employees may be required to work before, during, or after an emergency. During an emergency, employees may temporarily be assigned to work and perform duties outside the normal scope of their position, location, and work schedule to fit the needs of the County and its citizens.
Full Time Positions
Employee Assistance Program (EAP):

• ComPsych- offers all employees and their family members with emotional, financial, legal, and work/life balance support.
• LAMP counselors available for personal support including emotional, substance abuse, marital, and financial issues.
• Five (5) free visits annually for employees and covered family members.

Wellbeing Benefits:

• Wellness/Health Coaches (5 Free per year)
• On-site Fitness Centers for you and your dependents with 24/7 access
• Personal Training (5 Free per year)
• Pharmacy Technician
• Group Fitness Classes
• Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy Management
• Diabetes Care Program
• Registered Dietician (5 Free per year)
• Massages with licensed therapist (small copay)

Miscellaneous Benefits:

• Workers' Compensation
• Training/Seminars
• Premium Pay Differentials/Career Ladders
• Government employee discounts at many retailers and attractions
• Access to Manatee County Library Services (books, digital services, tools, museum passes).

Paid Time Off:

• 12 Paid Holidays including New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
• Three (3) Personal Holidays
• Personal Sick Leave
• Family Sick Leave
• Sick Leave Bank (Donated Hours)
• Professional Medical Appointment Leave
• Bereavement Leave
• Military Leave
• Military Training Leave
• FMLA

Vacation Award: Applies to employees regularly scheduled to work 8 hours per day/40 hours per week.
Years of Service Vacation Days
0-5 16.25 days
6-10 19.50 days
11+ 22.75 days

• Eligible employees may earn an additional 2 days of vacation through participation in the Manatee Thrives program

Insurance:

• Award-winning Health Plan with deductibles as low as $0.
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Prescription Insurance
• Life Insurance (6 times salary at low cost)
• Long-term and Short-term Disability Insurance

Retirement:

• Florida Retirement System (FRS) with Pension Plan and Investment Plan options.
• 457b Tax Deferred and ROTH account options through Voya.
• FRS Webinars
• Free financial guidance with licensed, non-commissioned financial planner

Career Wellness:

• Professional Leadership Programs
• Instructor-Led and eLearning Training
• Premium Pay Differentials/Career Ladders
• Career Counseling
• Toastmasters
• Networking Membership (Manatee Chamber of Commerce, Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance)
• Employee Recognition Programs with monetary and time-off awards

Education Benefits:

• Tuition Reimbursement eligible after six (6) months of Public Service, including GED reimbursement.
• Continuing Education support through Training/Seminars and Premium Pay Differentials/Career Ladder.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Flexible Spending Account:

• Options for Health Care and Dependent Care Spending Accounts providing pre-tax savings.

Permanent Part Time - Benefits
Employee Assistance Program (EAP):
• ComPsych - offers all employees and their family members with emotional, financial, legal, and work/life balance support.
• LAMP counselors available for personal support including emotional, substance abuse, marital, and financial issues.
Miscellaneous Benefits:
• Workers' Compensation
• Training/Seminars
• Fitness Center Access for employee only
• FRS options
• Premium Pay Differentials/Career Ladders
• Government employee discounts at many retailers and attractions
• Access to Manatee County Library Services (books, digital services, tools, museum passes).
Paid Time Off:
• 12 Paid Holidays including New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
• Three (3) Personal Holidays
• Paid Time Off and Leaves of Absence are based on an 8 hrs./day 80/hrs.
per pay-period basis, any work schedule less that this will be earned on
a pro-rated basis
01
VERY IMPORTANT - When answering supplemental questions about experience, education or certification, please be sure the information is reflected in the Education, Work Experience and Certificates and Licenses sections of your application.
Must include Monthly Salary, Name of Employer, Location, Phone Number and Duties for each employer in Work Experience.
Note: "See Resume" is not acceptable.
Identify all gaps not related to medical reasons.