Requisition No: 30237
Agency: Children and Families
Working Title: SENIOR ATTORNEY - 60043660
Position Number: 60043660
Salary: $67,000.00-$73,700.00
Posting Closing Date: 03/02/2018
SENIOR ATTORNEY POSITION-DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Assistant Regional Legal Counsel: The Department of Children and Families for the Southern Region is seeking an Assistant Regional Legal Counsel to fill a senior attorney position. Under the direction of the Regional Legal Counsel, the Assistant Regional Legal Counsel represents the Department and coordinates legal activities for the Department within the geographical boundaries of Southern Region (Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties), including Judicial Circuits Eleven and Sixteen.
The Assistant Regional Legal Counsel is a select exempt service legal position, which implements the delivery of professional legal services to the region pursuant to the policies, procedures and standards established within the Department. The incumbent in this position reports directly to the Regional Legal Counsel, who is responsible for implementing and directing legal representation for the circuits and region. This position requires extensive knowledge of state statutes, federal regulations, administrative rules, and rules of judicial procedure.
Under the direction of Regional Legal Counsel, the Assistant Regional Legal Counsel assists in planning, management, implementation, and operation of the legal services performed in the circuits and region.
The Assistant Regional Legal Counsel advises the Regional Director as well as region staff about legal and policy decisions which affect the day to day activities of the region. This responsibility includes attending meetings, as well as providing counsel and advice to staff concerning the legal ramifications of potential litigation, legislation, policy decisions, court decisions, and Department legal opinions of statewide importance.
The Assistant Regional Counsel acts in a confidential capacity to advise and assist the Regional Legal Counsel in formulating policies which are applicable to collective bargaining unit employees; in the administration of agreements resulting from collective bargaining negotiations; and in a variety of matters dealing with personnel administration and employee relations, to include representing the Department in union grievances, Public Employees Relations Commission (PERC) hearings and in personnel civil litigation, as need arises.
The Assistant Regional Legal Counsel, under the direction of the Regional Legal Counsel, implements the legal opinions and policies established and issued by the Department’s General Counsel.
The Assistant Regional Legal Counsel is responsible for assisting in the supervision and management of outside contract attorneys who represent the Department in circuit legal matters.
The Assistant Regional Legal Counsel should demonstrate leadership within the broadest regional legal community, maintaining sound and productive relationships with the judiciary, the Florida Bar, private and public law firms, and other legal stakeholders.
Under the supervision and direction of the Regional Legal Counsel, specific responsibilities include:
Serves as legal counsel in circuit operations involving regional policy, participating in planning, organizing, and directing the implementation of legal functions in the region.
Represents the Regional Director and the Department in legal matters, including, but not limited to, public benefits, foster care, adoptions, public records, licensing, contract review, employment, exemption from employment disqualification and public records.
Has an advisory interrelationship with the Statewide Director and regional managing attorneys for Child Legal Services with respect to family safety law and policy, working with them in close communication and coordination, particularly with respect to litigation and appellate matters pertaining to multiple practice areas, and all matters of statewide importance.
Provides advice and counsel to circuit committees and sub-committees. Attends Alliance and related meetings as requested.
Provides PERC, public records and related trainings, as well as other circuit trainings at the direction of the Regional Legal Counsel and the Regional Director or at the request of the General Counsel.
Supervises or provides oversight and administrative assistance for all litigation functions relating to representing the circuits in state and federal courts.
Assists in the day to day administration and supervision of the circuits’ legal office. Supervises circuit legal staff that may include, but not be limited to, paralegal specialists, secretarial and administrative staff, and support staff, as well as legal interns and junior level Assistant Regional Counsels. Coordinates legal services provided by attorneys contracting within the circuit and Region.
Conducts varied trial litigation and pretrial discovery in both federal and state courts. Represents the Department in general civil appellate cases (other than appellate cases within the jurisdiction of Child Legal Services) in federal and state courts on matters that arise in the Region.
Prepares written legal opinions involving federal and state statute interpretations, administrative rules, and court decisions consistent with agency policy and direction from the Office of the General Counsel.
Other duties as necessary to the best interests of the Region, Department, and State as assigned.
The salary is based on qualifications. A minimum of 3 years practicing law as well as good standing with the Florida Bar are required.
The salary range for this position is $67,000 to 73,700 per year, and includes an excellent benefits package with health benefits, life insurance, dental insurance benefits, four weeks paid vacation, paid state holidays off with pay, a personal day, paid sick leave, and a state funded retirement package.
To apply, please submit an online application that includes a cover letter, a resume, a law school transcript, a writing sample, and any additional documents you feel would assist the employer. Please include any relevant trial or appellate experience. Use the link to apply through State of Florida People First, https://jobs.myflorida.com/job/MIAMI-SENIOR-ATTORNEY-60043660-FL-33128/459060100/.
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.
