Legal Counsel

Legal Advisor

ChildNet, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit community-based care (CBC) agency servicing Broward and Palm Beach County. We are contracted with the State of Florida, Department of Children and Families, to provide case management support to abused, abandoned, and neglected children. ChildNet is nationally accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA) and employs over 600 staff at its location in Ft Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, Florida.

This position provides legal advice and assistance to support ChildNet's mission, Client Services – to protect Broward and Palm Beach Counties abused, abandoned and neglected children – as well as corporate, regulatory and compliance matters.

The items listed below are intended to provide an overview of the essential functions of the job. This is not an exhaustive list of all functions and responsibilities that the position may be required to provide.

• Provide legal advice and guidance to management and staff regarding operational, contractual, regulatory, governance, compliance, and risk management matters.
• Research, analyze, monitor, and interpret federal and state laws, regulations, policies, and contractual requirements affecting agency operations and communicate changes and pertinent information to agency staff, leadership and stakeholders.
• Prepare and present legal opinions, memoranda, correspondence, other legal documents and legal and compliance training programs.
• Identify legal risks, recommend practical solutions consistent with organizational objectives and applicable legal requirements.
• Provide legal support and assist departments in complying with contractual, regulatory, and statutory child welfare requirements, and policies applicable to community-based care operations. Draft, review, revise, and negotiate contracts, vendor agreements, memoranda of understanding, and other legal documents.
• Review policies, procedures, and operational practices to identify legal and compliance considerations.
• Provide legal guidance regarding contract interpretation, performance, and dispute resolution.
• Assist in managing litigation, administrative proceedings, investigations, claims, and other legal disputes involving the organization through communication and coordination with external counsel as directed.
• Provide legal guidance regarding employment-related issues, workplace policies, personnel actions, investigations, compliance matters, confidentiality requirements, records retention obligations, HIPAA, and other privacy-related matters and respond to public records requests and requests for confidential information.
• Support Human Resources in addressing legal and regulatory requirements affecting employees and workplace practices.
• Assist in audit and quality assurance monitoring activities to facilitate the preparation, response and remediation plans that will effectively enable improved service delivery and operational performance. Review legal issues involving information governance and disclosure requirements.

Years of Experience:

• Minimum of three (3) years of legal experience preferred.
• Experience in child welfare, nonprofit organizations, government contracting, employment law, insurance, regulatory compliance, litigation, or related practice areas preferred.

Education/Licenses/Certifications:

• Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited law school required

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of applicable federal and Florida laws and regulations.
• Strong legal research, writing, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate legal concepts to non-legal audiences.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Local Travel: 25%

Important Notes: ChildNet is committed to equal employment opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, sex, age, religion, color, disability, national origin or ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information, marital status, veterans status or military service obligation, medical condition, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression and any other status protected by applicable law. Including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and CFOP 60-10, Chapter 4. ChildNet is also a Drug-Free Workplace (DFWP).