SENIOR ATTORNEY

State of Florida • Tallahassee, FL

7d • $75,128 - $92,400 • Onsite

About The Position

The Florida Department of Corrections is hiring a Senior Attorney for its Office of General Counsel at the Central Office. This non-telework position provides comprehensive legal advice, assistance, and representation to the Department and its officials on matters involving employees, inmates, probationers, parolees, and the public. The attorney handles sensitive, complex, and routine legal matters and helps ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and procedures.

The role advises agency staff and responds to telephone and written requests for legal assistance, conducts legal research, and issues legal opinions as needed. Areas of legal work generally include contracts and procurement; construction and environmental law; personnel and labor relations; employee discipline and grievances; collective bargaining; discrimination and disability law; inmate sentence structures and grievances; correctional law and community control; rules, policies, procedures, and legislation; public records requests; subpoenas; and garnishments.

The attorney represents the Department and its officials before administrative tribunals and state and federal trial and appellate courts. Representation may include reviewing evidence, researching law, drafting pleadings and memoranda, managing discovery, preparing and interviewing witnesses, appearing at hearings and trials, writing briefs, and presenting oral arguments on appeal. The attorney also handles other legal assignments and administrative matters as required by the General Counsel.

Requirements

• Must be a member of the Florida Bar in good standing.
• Pass a Level 2 background check before starting work.
• Be a U.S. citizen or authorized to work in the United States.
• Demonstrate knowledge of legal terminology, jurisprudence, Florida laws and legal procedure, civil law and rules of procedure, and court proceedings.
• Demonstrate skill in writing and research and the ability to communicate effectively, research and summarize disparate legal issues, explain case facts and legal issues clearly, and provide legal counsel.
• Official college or university transcripts are required if selected and a degree is submitted.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of health care law, constitutional law, civil litigation, administrative law, Florida’s legislative process, criminal sentencing, and/or open government law is preferred.
• Support for knowledge, skills, and abilities may be demonstrated through education, work experience, a writing sample, an interview, and/or reference checks.
• Strong work ethic, willingness to learn, positive attitude, and ability to work collaboratively.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily legal advice and assistance on matters involving employees, inmates, probationers, parolees, and the public.
• Respond to telephone and written requests for legal assistance from agency staff.
• Conduct legal research and issue legal opinions as needed.
• Advise on contracts, bids, requests for proposals, construction and environmental law, personnel and labor relations, employee discipline and grievances, collective bargaining, discrimination and disability law, inmate sentence structures and grievances, correctional law, community control, rules, policies, legislation, public records requests, subpoenas, and garnishments.
• Represent the Department and its officials before administrative tribunals and state and federal trial and appellate courts.
• Review evidence, research law, draft pleadings and memoranda, conduct and respond to discovery, and prepare and interview witnesses.
• Provide legal representation at hearings and trials, write briefs, and represent the agency at appellate oral arguments.
• Perform administrative matters and other related duties as required by the General Counsel.

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.
• Florida Retirement System pension plan, investment plan, and Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP).
• Deferred compensation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed