Requisition No: 801893
Agency: Department of Education
Working Title: SENIOR ATTORNEY - 48002505
Position Number: 48002505
Salary: up to $76,500.00 (before 5% raise expected in July)
Posting Closing Date: 05/31/2023
Florida Department of Education
Division of Early Learning
Senior Attorney/Assistant General Counsel
Position Number: 480002505
Open/Competitive Opportunity
Tallahassee
Salary Range: $54,404-$76,500
(Based on experience)
** Anticipated Vacancy**
SALARY WILL BE DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CURRENT PAY POLICY.
DESCRIPTION
(Note: The omission of specific job duties does not preclude management from assigning specific duties not listed herein if such duties are a logical assignment to the position.)
The Florida Department of Education (FDOE) has an open position that is responsible for executing the following functions:
Duties and Responsibilities
The employee must be productive under tight timeframes, balance multiple and competing priorities and maintain goal-directed behavior and performance sometimes under stressful conditions.
The employee must manage multiple concurrent tasks, assignments, and/or projects.
The employee’s performance and behavior must demonstrate consideration of the workload concerns of others and must not negatively affect productivity and morale of the unit.
Attendance is an essential function of this position.
Agency Values
The employee is expected to demonstrate, model, and reinforce the agency’s fundamental values of quality, fairness, cooperation, respect, commitment, excellence, honesty and teamwork. The employee is expected to demonstrate these values the vast majority of the time in interactions with co-workers, supervisors and customers; in the personal contributions to work assignments and projects; and when representing the agency or the state.
Quality Work Products
The employee is expected to demonstrate knowledge, skills, and ability to prepare, provide, and deliver quality work products representative of the Department’s commitment to quality, efficient services and practices. Where applicable, the employee will demonstrate quality document preparation and dissemination evidenced by accuracy, correct grammar and format, appropriate content, proper approvals and timeliness.
The incumbent must complete timely performance appraisals, develop timely and accurate work plans, and timely approve monthly attendance and leave for each position under his or her direct report. Timesheets will be completed in the People First system by the appropriate business day of the succeeding month. The incumbent has the authority to make hiring recommendations as well as disciplinary recommendations.
An Assistant General Counsel, under the authority of General Counsel, serves as a legal advisor to the Division of Early Learning on all issues relating to the duties and responsibilities of the Division. This position is an essential part of the Chancellor’s management team. The legal ramifications of implementing the programs and policies must be thoroughly reviewed. It is essential that all state and federal statutes and rules be given in-depth consideration by the General Counsel’s Office.
This is professional legal work. A high degree of independent judgment, knowledge of the law, an ability to research and interpret complex provisions of the law as it relates to the powers, duties, and functions of an agency.
Under section 20.15, Florida Statutes, the Division of Early Learning shall administer the school readiness system in accordance with section 411.01, Florida, Statuts, and the operational requirements of the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program in accordance with part V of chapter 1002, Florida Statutes. The Division of Early Learning has 98 employees assigned in VPK, Program Integrity Application and Data Services, Finance, School Readiness, CCR&R and the Office of the Chancellor.
A Senior Attorney
Advice and Counsel: Renders requested legal advice and counsel to the Director, the Director’s staff, and other employees of the Office. Keeps abreast of current state and federal court rulings in order to advise on needed changes in applicable education laws and Office rules, regulations, and policies.
Contracts: Prepares, reviews, and approves contracts, leases, deeds or other legal instruments. Reviews the form and legality of all contracts, agreements, amendments, leases and other miscellaneous contractual documents to which the Office is a party. Handles or assists in procurement negotiations. Represents the Office in actions contesting the award of contracts.
Rules: Drafts rules and regulations, conducts conferences, workshops, and public hearings, and institutes and conducts rule adoption procedures.
Legislative: Attends meetings of various legislative committees considering proposed legislation of interest to the Office and drafts or supervises drafting of proposed legislation of interest to the Office. Attends meetings with legislators and legislative staff upon request regarding proposed legislation. Monitors proposed legislation for impact upon the Office and advises the Director and the Office’s staff.
Litigation: Is responsible for, leads, directs and handles complex cases on all levels of trial and appellate courts in the state and federal system as well as administrative proceedings under the Florida Administrative Procedures Act. Agency cases generally involve enforcement actions, defense of rules and statutes, mandatory or prohibitory injunctions, personnel and contract matters.
Legal Opinions and Research: Research, prepares, and supervises the preparation of legal opinions on highly complex legal questions that arise due to the activities and functions of the Division.
Outside Counsel: Under the direction of General Counsel, the Assistant General Counsel leads, directs, and monitors outside attorneys retained to represent the Chancellor and the Division in litigation.
Related Tasks: Performs related tasks as necessary.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Juris doctorate with 1-3 years minimum experience in legal opinions, legislation monitoring, drafting rules and regulations.
- Member of Bar for two (2) years years or more.
BENEFITS INFORMATION
Benefits information can be found at https://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com/
- State of Florida Retirement package – www.myfrs.com
- 10 Paid Holidays annually
- Selected Exempt Service (SES) positions are credited 176 hours of annual leave and 104 hours of sick leave (annually)
- Health Insurance for Individual or Family Coverage – State pays up to 98% of premium
- Life Insurance – State pays 80% of premium
- Additional supplemental insurances available such as dental, vision, etc.
- Tax-Deferred Medical and Child Care Reimbursement Accounts available
- Tax-Deferred Savings Program available through payroll deduction
- In-State Tuition Waivers
LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION OR REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS EFFECTIVE 7/01/02
The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.
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
BACKGROUND SCREENING REQUIREMENT
It is the policy of the Florida Department of Education that applicants for employment undergo Level 2 employment screening in accordance with the requirements of chapter 435, Florida Statutes, as a condition of employment or being permitted to serve as a volunteer. All applicants for employment or to volunteer who are selected for an interview will be provided with the Consent to Background Screening form for level 2 screening, the Affidavit of Good Moral Character, and the Notice of Rights. The leading candidate for employment or to volunteer will be required to execute the Consent form and Affidavit, report to a designated location, and submit fingerprints for level 2 screening. No applicant for a designated position will be employed or permitted to volunteer until the level 2 screening results are received, reviewed, and approved by the Department. Level 2 background screening shall include, but not be limited to, fingerprinting for statewide criminal and juvenile records checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and federal criminal records checks through the Federal Bureau of Investigation and may include local criminal records checks through local law enforcement agencies.
APPLICATION NOTES
Candidate Profile (application) must be complete in its entirety.
- Include supervisor names and phone numbers of all periods of employment.
- Account for and explain any gaps in employment so that the hiring process is not delayed. Gaps of employment 3 months or more MUST be addressed on application.
- Experience, education, training, knowledge, skills and/or abilities as well as responses to pre-qualifying questions must be verifiable to meet the minimum qualifications.
- It is unacceptable to use the statement “See Resume” in place of entering work history.
- Each field (address, city, and state, dates, phone numbers, etc.) must be completed.
- Periods of employment should be entered with the most recent/current listed first
- If claiming Veteran’s Preference, candidate MUST attach supporting documentation (DD214).
- If claiming Right to Interview, candidate MUST attach a copy of your official layoff letter when applying.
If you experience problems applying online, please call the People First Service Center at (877) 562-7287
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
You will be required to provide your Social Security Number to conduct required verifications.
Selective Services System (SSS)
Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion in the Other Personal Services (OPS) or Career Service, or appointment in the Selected Exempt Service (SES) or Senior Management Service (SMS) unless they are registered with the Selective Service System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. Verification of Selective Service registration will be conducted prior to hire. For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov.
Please Note: The successful completion of a Level 2 Background Screening is a mandatory requirement for employment. Answers to the qualifying questions must be verified on your state application. Applicants who do not respond to the qualifying questions will not be considered for the position. Participation in direct deposit is required. Your application may be considered for other positions within the office for up to six-months as applicable.
The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.
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.