SENIOR ATTORNEY

Senior Attorney

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Office of General Counsel (OGC) works closely with the department's Command Staff, regional Special Agents in Charge, and Program Directors to provide legal assistance and advice that is responsive to the specialized needs of the department, region or division. The OGC serves the entire agency in many different capacities which include: general state agency issues, such as human resource legal issues and public records requests; FDLE-specific matters, such as advising agents regarding ongoing criminal investigations and criminal intelligence gathering, Firearms Purchase Program concerns, DNA and Crime Laboratories legal questions, and Sexual Predator / Sexual Offender Registration questions. The OGC also handles Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (CJSTC) professional licensure prosecutions, agency contracts, purchasing issues and administrative rulemaking. OGC members provide training on a variety of criminal law and procedure topics for FDLE's Special Agents.

The Department is seeking to fill a Senior Attorney position within the Office of General Counsel in one of the following areas: Tallahassee, Orlando, Pensacola, Tampa, Jacksonville, Miami, Fort Myers, Florida. Preference will be given to applicants reporting to the Tallahassee, Orlando or Pensacola, Florida office locations.

Specific duties include: The position will be based in one of FDLE's Regional Operation Centers or in Headquarters (Tallahassee, Florida) and serves as an administrative prosecutor handling licensure cases of Florida law enforcement, corrections, and probation officers before the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (CJSTC). The CJSTC is a 19-member commission, appointed by the Governor of the State of Florida, whose mission is to ensure that all citizens of Florida are served by criminal justice officers who are ethical, qualified, and well-trained. Incumbent will be expected to work with a team of administrative prosecutors to review and manage officer discipline cases throughout the entire disciplinary process, from initial review for probable cause to case resolution. The incumbent's job duties include: Evaluating and prosecuting violations of state law and administrative rules by certified law enforcement officers, correctional, and correctional probation officers in administrative actions before the CJSTC; Evaluating cases for probable cause, engage in settlement negotiations with opposing counsel, prepare the cases for formal hearings before the Division of Administrative Hearings, prepare and present cases for final action before the CJSTC; The incumbent also provides legal services and advice to the staff of the FDLE Criminal Justice Professionalism Program, which supports CJSTC's efforts; From time to time, the incumbent will be assigned legal training and presentation responsibilities; Occasional in-state travel by car is required; Must have good computer skills, in particular Microsoft Word, use of Adobe Acrobat, and PowerPoint. Must be an effective communicator both orally and in writing; and Must have the ability to effectively work under occasionally stressful deadlines or circumstances.

To be considered as a potential candidate, you must meet the minimum qualifications(s) listed below. Degrees must be from an accredited college or university as recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Minimum Qualifications: A member of the Florida bar for two or more years. Preferred Qualifications: Two or more years of experience as a law enforcement agency legal advisor, prosecutor, or similar criminal justice system work; Command of Florida criminal law and evidence; Ability to create and present training materials; Experience in administrative law; Effective oral and written advocacy skills (courtroom hearings and trials); and The ability to successfully complete a background investigation to determine suitability for the position.

Base Salary: $89,000.08

FDLE recognizes the importance of growth and success while fostering a family-oriented work environment. We encourage our members to seek opportunities for professional growth through training, team building, and mentoring. Our four Fundamental Values of Service, Integrity, Respect and Quality will guide you as you embark on a lifelong career at FDLE. FDLE is a State of Florida Employer and offers a comprehensive benefits package, including: State of Florida Tuition Waiver Program; Paid holidays, vacation and sick leave; HMO and PPO health insurance options with premiums starting as low as $50 per month; $25,000 in automatic life insurance coverage; Multiple supplemental insurance options including: dental, vision, disability and more; Paid maternity leave and parental leave following the birth or adoption of a child; Pension and investment retirement plan options; and Tax deferred medical and child care reimbursement accounts.