Senior Attorney

Job Title and Summary

Requisition No: 861978
Position Number:
Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services
Working Title: SENIOR ATTORNEY
- Pay Plan: SES
Salary: $65,000.00 - $
Posting Closing Date: 07/13/2026

Headquarters: Negotiable within Gainesville, Florida and Tallahassee, Florida
Contact: Blair Bodenmiller,

Admission to the Florida Bar and two (2) years of professional experience in the practice of law, legal research, teaching law or in administrative or judicial hearings.

• All fields in the Candidate Profile must be completed (an attached resume is not a substitution for the information required on the candidate profile).
• Work history, duties and responsibilities, hours worked, supervisor, and formal education fields, etc. must be filled out to determine qualifications for this position.
• Responses to Qualifying Questions must be verifiable in the Candidate Profile.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services values and supports employment of individuals with disabilities. Qualified individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. 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  in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

To maintain fairness and integrity in our hiring process, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to answer qualifying questions or participate in interviews is strictly prohibited. Applicants must provide their own authentic responses during all stages of the evaluation and recruitment process. Any candidate found using AI to assist in their answers will be disqualified from consideration.

Successful applicant must pass a background screening, including fingerprinting, as a condition of employment.

The Senior Attorney will represent and advise various programs within the Department, with a focus on the Division of Plant Industry and the Division of Animal Industry. The Division of Plant Industry works to detect, intercept, and control pests that threaten Florida’s native and commercially grown plants and agricultural resources. Relevant provisions of law include portions of ch. 369, 570, 581, 586, and 593, Florida Statutes.

The Senior Attorney will also provide legal assistance to the Division of Animal Industry, which enforces animal health regulations in Florida and protects the state from animal pests and diseases. Relevant provisions of law include portions of ch. 534, 570, 585, and 828, Florida Statutes.

* Renders requested legal advice and counsel to the Commissioner, the commissioner's staff, and other employees of the department.

* Handles complex cases on all levels of trial and appellate courts in the state and federal system as well as administrative proceedings under the Florida Administrative Procedures Act. Agency cases generally involve enforcement actions, defense of rules and statutes, mandatory or prohibitory injunctions, and contract matters. Reports to the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel on the department's cases, their movement or resolution.

* Handles contract matters, real estate proceedings, legal opinions and legal research. Conducts legal research of highly complex problems involved in the various functions of the department and the Commissioner's office. Prepares, reviews, and approves contracts, leases, deeds, or other legal instruments. Handles or counsels the handling of real estates closings regarding department property.

* Attends staff meetings and renders requested legal advice and counsel to the Commissioner, and other department staff involved with implementing the statutory responsibilities of the Commissioner and the department. Stays abreast of litigation and court decisions which might affect statutes under which the department carries out its responsibilties.

* Represents the Commissioner, the General Counsel's office, and the department in liaison with the Florida Attorney General and other state and federal…