Entry Level State Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

The Office of the State Attorney, Ninth Judicial Circuit is seeking entry-level attorneys to join our office!

Starting salary: Commensurate with experience, plus State of Florida employee retirement and insurance options, attorney benefits, paid holidays, and leave.

The Office of the State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit is represented by The Honorable Monique H. Worrell and serves Orange and Osceola counties in Central Florida. A culturally diverse community, the area is home to nearly 1.4 million residents and is a vacation destination for millions each year. Our office is committed to making Orlando and the surrounding area a vibrant and safe place to live, work and play. The mission of the State Attorney's Office for the Ninth Judicial Circuit is to promote public safety by using data-driven methods to hold offenders accountable, provide restorative justice for victims, and redirect children and people in need of services, in an effort to build stronger, safer communities. We aim to achieve the highest standards of ethics and competence in order to promote a fair and equitable legal system. We are guided by the American Bar Association's standards for the function of a prosecutor, with a special emphasis on 3-1.2 (a), (b), (e), (f).

Applicants must be a member in good standing with The Florida Bar. Applicants must possess a strong interest in being a trial lawyer and have excellent communication and critical thinking skills. Applicants must have the time management and organizational skills required to manage a large volume caseload. Applicants must be able to work independently and as a team member. Must be able to legally work in the US without additional immigration authorization, employer sponsorship request or other assistance from the employer.

SAO9 is NOT currently accepting applications from non-Florida Bar members.

Job Responsibilities:

Attorneys in this role will primarily handle third-degree felony cases and will gain invaluable courtroom experience that is not easily obtained in most entry-level legal positions. They are expected to manage a high volume of cases following the filing of charges by the office’s Intake Division, requiring strong organizational skills, sound legal judgment, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, litigation-focused environment.

Essential Functions:

The following duties are normal but are not limited to this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Conduct jury trials, non-jury trials, preliminary and pretrial hearings, and other related courtroom proceedings.
• Investigate, evaluate, and prepare cases for trial.
• Legal research and writing.
• Communicate with and serve as a liaison to victims, their family members, witnesses, and law enforcement personnel.
• Must be able to work under pressure, and in high stress and/or high anxiety causing situations, both in and outside the courtroom.
• All other case related tasks as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• Juris Doctor Degree required.
• Member of The Florida Bar.
• The ideal applicant should have knowledge of criminal law and procedure, exceptional interviewing skills, and a proficient decision-making ability.
• Any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.
• Must be able to legally work in the US without additional immigration authorization, employer sponsorship request or other assistance from the employer
• Must have a minimum of 2 years of experience in criminal law, either in a prosecutorial or defense capacity.
• Proficient computer skills are essential, including working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Excel, and Word. The ability to adapt and learn new software and technologies commonly used in this position is crucial.

To Apply: Please send a cover letter, resume, and final law school transcript via e-mail to ASA-Recruiting@sao9.org. Your cover letter should address the following: (1) Why are you interested in this position; (2) When would your starting date with the office be; and (3) How many trials have you first- and second-chaired.

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS at 1-844-377-1888 on how your current benefits may be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended, or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

The State Attorney’s Office reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement or to withdraw the announcement without prior written or other notice. All information provided by applicants is subject to verification and background investigation. False statements or omission of information on any application materials may be grounds for non-selection, withdrawal of an offer of employment, or dismissal after being employed. Insurance benefits, vacation package and Florida Retirement System Pension benefits are offered with this position.

Nearest Major Market: Orange & Osceola Counties