Director of Central Staff

Requisition No: 875938

Agency: State Courts System

Working Title: DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL STAFF - 22012130

Pay Plan: St.Crts Syst PIB

Position Number: 22012130

Salary: $122,933 Annually

Posting Closing Date: 08/13/2026

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Position Title

Director of Central Staff

Job Location

6th District Court of Appeal; Lakeland, FL

Salary Range

$122,933 Annually

POSITION TITLE: Director of Central Staff (Hybrid, requires to be in the Lakeland office two times a week)

SALARY RANGE $122,933 annually. AND BENEFITS: A comprehensive selection of State of Florida employee benefits includes membership in the FloridaRetirement System, optional enrollment in a subsidized health insurance plan, optional enrollment in life, dental, and disability insurance plans, and paid $25,000 term life insurance.

For more information on the benefits available to State of Florida Employees, visit:

Examples Of Work Performed

• Senior management responsibility that includes recruitment and hiring central staff attorneys andassistants; training new central staff employees; evaluating employee work and counseling employeeswhen needed; after consulting with the chief judge and marshal, terminating employees when necessary.
• Manages central staff cases by distributing workload among attorneys and assistants; after review,assigns emergency writs to designated attorneys; reviews monthly reports on case assignments andattorney workload prepared by the assistants, and addresses problems when necessary.
• Closely supervises and evaluates the work of new central staff attorneys, including reviewing and editingmemos and directing further research when necessary.
• Reviews draft opinions prepared by central staff attorneys before distribution to the assigned judge.
• Works closely with the clerk and deputy clerks to address case procedures and processing, as well asjurisdictional screening.
• Serves as a member of the court's emergency preparedness committee.
• Reports to the court on the status of central staff workload.
• When requested, participates in statewide committees, Inn of Court, and CLEs on court processes andcentral staff workload; prepares relevant materials for such presentations and for judges presenting onsimilar topics.
• Formulates and implements policies for various procedures affecting central staff, such as the handling ofemergencies, motions, and specific case types assigned to central staff.
• Prepares and requests orders on a high volume of motions and writs when authority has been granted bythe chief judge.
• Administratively supervises the central staff attorneys and assistants, including approving leave requestsand time sheets.

Education and Training Guidelines

EDUCATION: A Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school is required. Requires Good Standing in the Florida Bar.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Six years experience in the practice of law, subsequent to admission to The Florida Bar, or six years of experience as a staff attorney, including two years in a supervisory or managerial capacity. The ideal candidate must possess exemplary legal skills and management ability. The candidate will demonstrate expertise in developing, implementing, and assessing policies and procedures to support a high-volume workflow. Excellent in-person and written communication skills are essential. The candidate will require proficiency in word processing, information technology, and the ability to learn case management systems. The successful candidate must conduct court business with integrity and confidentiality.

Additional relevant education may substitute for the recommended experience on a year-for-year basis.

How To Apply

Submit a State of Florida application, cover letter, resume, law school and undergraduate transcripts

(copies Accepted), a Writing Sample, And References To

Cassandra West Ref: Director of Central Staff

***email_hidden***

The successful candidate will be subject to a satisfactory background check, including a Level

2 criminal background check, and references check.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, sex or gender, religion or creed, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, or political opinions or affiliations.

We hire only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers.

If you need an accommodation to participate in the application or selection process, please call 863-940-6041 at least seven (7) days in advance.

Persons using a TTY or TDD may call the contact person through the FLORIDA RELAY SERVICE: Voice

is 1-800-955-8770, TDD is 1-800-955-8771, NATIONAL RELAY SERVICE is 711.

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.