Attorney

Legal Expert Position

This position functions as a legal expert on a legislative committee, legislators and staff related to health care industry regulation and government human services programs. Under supervision of the committee staff director or a subcommittee policy chief, the attorney provides legal work in the examination and preparation of health care legislation, legislative programs, legal instruments, opinions, or other documents; conducts research to assist a policy chief or staff director; researches and prepares staff analyses, reports, legislation and amendments; and provides counsel and advice to legislative committees.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: Pursuant to sections 112.3144 and 112.3145, F.S., this position is required to electronically file a Form 1 – Statement of Financial Interests with the Florida Commission on Ethics within 30 days of hire.

Examples Of Work Performed

• Conducts legal research on state and federal health care laws, regulations and caselaw, and prepares legal opinions on questions submitted by authorized persons.
• Performs legal research concerning the interpretation of Florida law and on other matters in question for Legislators and staff.
• Researches and drafts legislation and amendments to legislation at the direction of committee chairman, committee members, and other legislators.
• Analyzes and objectively summarizes proposed legislation to determine its effectiveness and the impact of its passage on the state and other entities and individuals.
• Provides legal counsel and advice to legislators and legislative committees on complex legal matters including the development of legislation and legislative programs; interprets state and federal legislation and regulations related to programs of any relevant governmental unit.
• Recommends needed changes to legislation based upon trends in case law, agency comment or citizen request.
• Assists in planning committee and subcommittee meetings including speakers, presentations, and materials.
• Reviews agency action pursuant to Chapter 120, the Administrative Procedures Act, to identify instances of the invalid exercise of delegated legislative authority; monitors Florida court cases and administrative decisions and advises agencies accordingly; reviews statutes passed each session and calls to the attention of the agencies all those which may require administrative rule promulgation, repeal or amendment.
• Serves as liaison with State agencies.
• Performs other related duties as required

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Knowledge of legal terminology.
• Knowledge of Florida laws and legal procedure.
• Skill in reading comprehension, analysis, research, and organization.
• Ability to provide legal counsel.
• Ability to interpret state and federal legislation, laws, and rules.
• Ability to employ legal reasoning and to foresee possible legal problems.
• Ability to communicate effectively and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to take action in situations which lack clear direction.
• Ability to take initiative on independent research projects.
• Ability to deal tactfully and courteously with the public, press, and lobbyists.
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to use independent judgment when releasing information to the public.
• Ability to collect and analyze data.
• Ability to conduct meetings and to make presentations.
• Ability to perform legal writing and prepare various legal documents.
• Ability to research legal documents and legal references.

Minimum Qualifications

Attorney in good standing with The Florida Bar.

Salary commensurate with experience. The Legislature offers a competitive benefits package.

Submission of Application Interested parties may apply with cover letter and resume via GovernmentJobs.com or send an Alternate Application (Download PDF reader) to:

Office of Administration & Professional Development Florida House of Representatives 402 South Monroe Street, 1201 Capitol Tallahassee, Florida 32399

or email View email address on click.appcast.io

Accommodation for Disability: If an accommodation is needed for a disability, please notify Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Benefits

Working for the Florida Legislature includes a lucrative benefits package, including affordable health insurance options, free dental, long-term disability and employee life insurance, as well as competitive retirement. Employees have access to a college tuition waiver program, an employee assistance program, paid annual and sick leave, and paid holidays.

Health and Dental Insurance Employees have a choice of participating in the State Self Insured Plan or a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) if available in the county of residence or employment (Standard and High Deductible Investor plans are available). Full-time employees pay $30 per month for family coverage or $8.34 per month for individual coverage. Part-time employees pay premiums based on the total hours of work. For dental insurance, the Legislature offers a PPO plan that offers choice of dentist and pays from 50 to 100 percent of usual, customary, and reasonable charges. There is a $1500 maximum benefit per plan year. The Legislature pays the total premium for full-time employees and part-time employees pay premiums based on the total hours of work.

Leave Accrual Benefits Annual Leave accrues as follows based on creditable state service: Up to 5 years - 11 hours per month 5 to 10 years - 13 hours per month Over 10 years - 15 hours per month Sick Leave accrues at 9 hours per month for all full-time employees.

Life and Disability Insurance Group Term life Insurance with an accidental death and dismemberment benefit provides $25,000 coverage. The Legislature pays the total premium. For disability insurance, the Legislature offers a Group Long Term Disability Insurance Plan that provides a monthly benefit of 60 percent of covered monthly earnings after an elimination period of 360 days. The Legislature pays the total premium.

Retirement Participation in the Florida Retirement System is compulsory for all salaried staff, except certain re-employed retirees. New employees have until the end of the eighth month following their first month of employment to select a retirement plan, from the traditional pension plan or the investment plan. New employees will receive an informational packet approximately two months after the hire date. Members and staff contribute 3% of their salary towards retirement and the Legislature pays the remainder of the premium.

Florida Pre-Tax Plan and Deferred Compensation Plan This state sponsored program includes Supplemental Insurance Plans, Health Savings Account (when enrolled with an Investor Health Plan), and a Flexible Spending Program on a pretax basis. The Supplemental Insurance Plans include hospitalization, cancer/intensive care, dental, vision, and accidental/disability. The Flexible Spending Program includes healthcare and dependent care accounts. A competitive Deferred Compensation Plan is also offered. The State of Florida Deferred Compensation Plan offers a number of investment options including variable annuities, mutual funds, and a bank, with a variety of contract providers.

Paid Holidays New Year's Day - Martin Luther King Day - Memorial Day - Independence Day - Labor Day - Veteran's Day - Thanksgiving Day - Friday After Thanksgiving - Christmas Day - Personal Holiday

Total Compensation Statement The Total Compensation Statement provides a monetary value of each benefit listed below as well as a total annual compensation estimate. The annual salary amount used in this example is $60,000. Note: All values are based on individual plans.