SENIOR ATTORNEY

Senior Attorney

This is a highly responsible position that serves as the Department's personnel and rules attorney, the internal advisor on employment-law matters and liaison to outside counsel who represent the Department in numerous employment litigation matters. Specific responsibilities include serving as the Department's in-house legal advisor to senior management on all employment-related matters as well as rulemaking and development; working closely with the Office of Human Resources, advising on legal sufficiency regarding disciplinary actions, ADA accommodations, FCHR and EEOC responses, Workers' Compensation, FMLA eligibility, Veterans' Preference issues, and many other issues; developing and providing internal training on a vast array of employment-related laws and policies; assisting with matters relating to public records; serving as the Department's legal liaison with outside counsel who defend the Department in employment, premises liability, and automobile liability cases; developing litigation strategy and typically attending depositions, mediations, arbitrations, hearings, and trials on the Department's behalf; representing the Department before the Public Employee Relations Commission (PERC), the Department of Commerce (DOC), the Equal Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH), the Florida Commission on Human Relations (FCHR), and other forums; coordinating activities undertaken on behalf of the department by outside counsel including representation provided from the Office of the Attorney General, and representation provided under insurance coverage through the Division of Risk Management; providing briefings to the Secretary, Chief of Staff, Deputy Secretaries, General Counsel and Division Management on issues of importance handled by outside counsel and provides possible impacts of proposed legislative changes; developing and drafting policies and rules; serving as the primary liaison to the Joint Administrative Procedures Committee (JAPC); filing proposed rules for adoption with the Department of State (DOS); overseeing the Department's annual rule review and Regulatory Plan; assisting and training agency rules coordinators; and other duties as assigned by the supervisor and general counsel.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities include the ability to litigate and make oral presentations; ability to communicate effectively; skill in drafting legal documents; skill in managing multiple complex legal cases; ability to work independently and in group and team settings; ability to utilize problem solving techniques; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships; ability to multi-task; ability to meet competing deadlines; ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments; ability to travel; knowledge of Chapters 110, 119, and 120, Florida Statutes; knowledge of Florida ethics laws; knowledge of contract management; ability to recognize and act on emerging issues and shifting priorities.

Minimum requirements include membership in good standing with The Florida Bar; at least two years of experience in the practice of law; and a valid driver's license.