CHIEF LEGAL COUNSEL

State of Florida•Tallahassee, FL

15d•Onsite

About The Position

This open competitive advertisement is for a SES (Selected Exempt Service) position located at Central Office in Legal Services. As a member of the legal services team, our mission is to provide high-quality legal support and representation to ensure that the Florida Department of Corrections operates within the law. We are dedicated to protecting the rights of all individuals involved and ensuring justice and fairness in all our operations. This position is not a telework position and is required to report to the FDC office in the area it serves.

Requirements

Must be a member of the Florida Bar in good standing with at least two (2) years of prior experience as an attorney.
Must be willing to relocate to Tallahassee, FL.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Employment Litigation.

Responsibilities

Lead and Inspire: As a supervisor, you'll spend most of your time communicating with, motivating, training, and evaluating employees. You'll plan and direct their work, and have the authority to hire, transfer, promote, and discipline staff, ensuring a dynamic and efficient team.
Direct Team: Identify areas of legal specialties to ensure attorneys are assigned appropriately to maximize efficiency. Direct unit resources to priority issues to ensure timely delivery of services on high-profile or time-sensitive matters.
Oversee Legal Operations: Manage a team of legal professionals, providing accurate and effective legal advice on issues related to employees, inmates, probationers, parolees, and the public. Your guidance will help resolve complex legal matters efficiently.
Engage in High-Level Coordination: Attend important meetings with department leadership, coordinate data reporting, and assist with office logistics. You'll be the main point of contact for work assignments, ensuring new hires are onboarded and trained, and managing remote work arrangements.
Represent and Advocate: Represent the department in administrative tribunals and courts at both state and federal levels. Oversee attorneys in handling legal matters, from drafting pleadings to conducting trials, and advocate for staff retention and recruitment to build a strong legal team.

Benefits

Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
Comprehensive health insurance and life insurance with accidental death and dismemberment benefits.
Supplemental Dental, Vision, Life, Disability and Hospitalization insurance.
Tuition-Free college courses.
Retirement Plans with the Florida Retirement System:
Pension Plan (Traditional Retirement Pension Plan)
Investment Plan (401(K)-Type Retirement Plan)
Deferred Retirement Option Program (Drop)
Deferred Compensation
Recently Retired? Beginning July 1, 2024, there is no longer a reemployment limitation; beginning with the 7th calendar month from the member's distribution date, there are no restrictions on working for an FRS employer. You will not be required to repay any prior distributions, and you may continue receiving distributions from the Investment Plan or Pension Plan without interruption.