SENIOR ATTORNEY - 65000530 1

State of Florida • Tallahassee, FL

11d • $60,015 - $93,500 • Onsite

About The Position

This is a highly responsible Senior Attorney position reporting directly to the Statewide Public Guardianship Program Director (Executive Director), in the Department of Elder Affairs’ Office of Public and Professional Guardians (OPPG). The individual filling this position provides legal representation to the Department under the direction of the Executive Director of OPPG and is responsible for all legal matters of the Department relating to guardianship and the duties and responsibilities of OPPG. This position is not a teleworking position, and the incumbent is required to report to the DOEA office in the area it serves.

Requirements

• The candidate must have obtained a juris doctorate degree, be an active member in good standing with the Florida Bar and have a minimum of 2 years’ legal experience in the practice of law.
• This position will likely require more than 40 hours of work a week.
• Ability to travel as necessary.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of the Administrative Procedures Act (Chapter 120, Florida Statutes)
• Ability to determine work priorities, organize, assign and coordinate work, and ensure proper completion of work assignments.
• Ability to follow written and oral directions and instructions.
• Problem-solving skills, work well with individuals and groups; multi-task, manage multiple assignments and deadlines.
• Plan and organize to ensure work is completed in accordance with regulations relating to eligibility and timeliness.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to communicate with others to obtain and verify information concerning eligibility.
• Ability to demonstrate a professional and courteous demeanor to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with the public and staff.
• Possess strong written and oral communication skills, including correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
• Be detail oriented and able to enter data accurately into a computerized system.
• Navigate multiple computer screens and applications.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Windows Operating environments and Office Suite products to include Word, Excel, Outlook, OneDrive, Power Point, and SharePoint.
• Prepare clear, concise, and accurate records and other documentation in a logical format.
• Analyze and interpret written, numerical, and verbal data from various sources.
• Type and prepare reports and memorandums accurately and timely.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality as required.

Responsibilities

• Represents the Department and the OPPG in performing all legal work in the regulation and enforcement of the provisions of Chapter 744 applicable to Professional Guardians.
• Files administrative actions against Professional Guardians and represents the Department and the OPPG before the Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH) and other administrative and judicial forums. Provides legal advice and assistance to the Department and the OPPG on matters involving the investigation and prosecution of professional guardians and on the official duties of the office.
• Assists in coordinating OPPG legal activities with the Guardianship Investigators. Develops, implements, maintains, and keeps a current tracking system on legal sufficiency of complaints, close out letters, the Department’s enforcement actions, and closed files. Consults with the Executive Director of OPPG, the Secretary, and the Office of the General Counsel on appropriate actions to be taken on enforcement and prosecutions. Coordinates with the Guardianship Investigators and the OPPG staff to have all legal documents and actions maintained and available for the handling of all investigations and cases.
• Consults with and coordinates the determination of initial legal sufficiency of complaints with the Executive Director of OPPG.
• Provides legal assistance to the Executive Director of OPPG as requested in developing and keeping current, relevant, and consistent with Florida statutes all necessary training curriculum and guardianship testing.
• In consultation with the Executive Director of OPPG and the Secretary, is responsible for providing legal assistance to OPPG in addressing any legal inquiries from the Public Guardians, any necessary litigation, and any other matters as they may arise.
• In consultation with the Office of the General Counsel and assigned attorneys in the General Counsel’s office handling rulemaking, drafts and reviews proposed administrative rules regarding public and professional guardians for both substantive and technical legality. Participate in rule development, rule workshops and rule hearings. Responsible for moving proposed rules relating to public and professional guardians through the statutory rulemaking process. Counsels, assists and guides Department staff on all aspects of rulemaking with the Bureau of Administrative Code, Office of Fiscal Accountability and Regulatory Reform (OFFAR), and the Joint Administrative Procedures Committee (JAPC).
• For the OPPG, reviews contracts and contract amendments. Responsible for all legal issues related to contract procurement for the OPPG.
• For the OPPG, develops, drafts, reviews, monitors, and implements proposed legislation; prepares bill analyses; and reviews existing statutes for proposing any needed legislation. Monitors legislative activities for impacts on the Department and the OPPG.
• Conducts legal research in a thorough and professional manner on highly complex problems involved in the various functions of the OPPG and the Department. In conducting legal research, takes the time and effort to explore any underlying facts with appropriate Department staff. Stays well-informed of litigation and court decisions which might affect statutes and rules under which the OPPG and the Department carries out its responsibilities. Reviews and interprets statutes, regulations, rules, and operating procedures as necessary.
• Prepares, reviews, or approves contracts, leases and other legal instruments as appropriate and necessary for the OPPG and the Department
• Handles or assists in the handling of public records requests for OPPG. Redact OPPG documents as necessary and appropriate.
• Serves as or assists the Department’s Agency Clerk in the processing of administrative complaints, hearing requests, recommended orders, final orders, and appeals for the OPPG.
• For the OPPG, assists the attorney handling background screening issues for the Department.
• Handles legal inquiries regarding HIPAA and its applications to the OPPG.
• Assists the Executive Director of OPPG in providing legal counsel and advice to the Secretary, OPPG staff, and other administrative / managerial employees on complex legal issues relating to the Department’s programs and activities concerning public and professional guardians. Anticipates potential legal problems of new plans or programs and advises the Department and the OPPG of legal and administrative alternatives to achieve the Department’s objectives. Provides preventative legal advice to the Department and the OPPG to avoid or mitigate the impact of litigation against the Department or the OPPG. Attends executive management and staff meetings and renders requested legal advice and counsel. Responds to oral and written requests from Department personnel as directed by the Executive Director of OPPG. Consistent with the responsibilities and duties of prior OPPG attorneys, provide legal representation to the office in assistance with the IT needs of OPPG itself.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Executive Director of OPPG.

Benefits

• State Group Health Insurance Coverage
• $25,000 Life Insurance Policy (100% paid by employer)
• Dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options available
• Annual and Sick Leave benefits
• 10 paid holidays each year
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tuition waivers to attend State of Florida community colleges, colleges, and universities!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior