SENIOR ATTORNEY - 42005693

State of Florida • Tallahassee, FL

14d

About The Position

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Office of the Commissioner, is hiring a Senior Attorney to provide legal services to the Commissioner, department staff, and the Division of Food Safety (DFS). The role performs highly responsible professional legal work requiring independent judgment, substantial legal knowledge, the ability to handle complex litigation and administrative actions, and skill in researching and interpreting complex laws relevant to the agency. The attorney is expected to produce timely, high-quality work and maintain effective professional relationships with department employees and the public.

The Senior Attorney advises and represents FDACS and DFS in complex civil, appellate, and administrative matters in state and federal forums. The position also advises DFS on its programs, policies, rules, and regulations; assists with drafting rules and agency orders; conducts rulemaking proceedings; prepares legal opinions and statutory interpretations; provides legal training; and responds to inquiries from attorneys and the public. Occasional travel is required. A successful applicant must pass a background screening, including fingerprinting.

Requirements

• Admission to the Florida Bar and membership in the Florida Bar.
• At least two years of professional experience in the practice of law, legal research, teaching law, or administrative or judicial hearings.
• Successful completion of a background screening, including fingerprinting, as a condition of employment.
• Occasional travel.

Responsibilities

• Provide requested legal advice and counsel to the Commissioner, the Commissioner's staff, and the Division of Food Safety.
• Handle complex cases in state and federal trial and appellate courts and administrative proceedings under the Florida Administrative Procedures Act.
• Represent FDACS and DFS in civil and administrative cases, including agency informal hearings when requested; prepare pleadings and briefs and attend oral arguments.
• Report on department cases, their progress, and resolution to the General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, and DFS leadership.
• Assist the DFS enforcement section with review of complex administrative actions and drafting complex or unusual agency orders when requested.
• Review outgoing public-record-request documentation when requested.
• Advise DFS Headquarters staff, Regional Managers, and field personnel on matters related to their duties and functions; advise DFS leadership on administrative problems when requested.
• Advise on development of DFS programs, policies, rules, and regulations, and work with DFS staff to draft rules and rule packages supporting Chapters 500 and 502, Florida Statutes.
• Conduct conferences, workshops, and public hearings and institute and conduct rule-adoption procedures, including correspondence with the Joint Administrative Procedures Committee.
• Prepare and promulgate legal opinions and statutory interpretations as necessary, and review DFS internal policies before promulgation.
• Provide legal training for DFS personnel when requested and speak to department employees and other groups about DFS-related programs.
• Respond to telephone and written inquiries from attorneys and members of the public regarding DFS issues.
• Attend General Counsel and DFS staff meetings, keep abreast of relevant litigation and court decisions, and provide other legal advice and perform related duties as requested or assigned.

Benefits

• Annual and sick leave
• Nine paid holidays and one personal holiday each year
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and supplemental insurance
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tuition waivers

What This Job Offers

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