Senior Attorney

Overview

The Senior Attorney position is an open competitive opportunity with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Headquarters are negotiable within Gainesville, Florida and Tallahassee, Florida.

Agency:
Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title:

SENIOR ATTORNEY -

Requisition No: 861978

Office:
General Counsel’s Office, Office of the Commissioner

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.

To be considered for a position with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services:

• 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.

Under the Florida Constitution the Commissioner of Agriculture is responsible for all matters pertaining to agriculture except as otherwise provided by law. The department has a broad range of powers, functions and duties under various chapters of the Florida Statutes and employs approximately 3,500 employees. The Senior Attorney handles the department s legal work, performing high-level professional legal work with independent judgment, complex litigation, administrative actions, and legal research.

Responsibilities include rendering legal advice to the Commissioner and staff, handling cases in state and federal courts and administrative proceedings, reviewing contracts and real estate matters, and staying current with litigation and court decisions that affect statutes governing the department.

A Senior Attorney must produce high-quality, professional work products in a timely manner and maintain professional relationships with department staff and the public. The position requires the ability to communicate effectively, resolve conflicts, and adapt to change.

Specific duties include rendering requested legal advice and counsel, handling complex cases, conducting legal research, preparing, reviewing and approving contracts, leases, deeds or other legal instruments, and advising on real estate closings related to department property. The Senior Attorney represents the department in liaison with the Florida Attorney General and other agencies, attends legislative meetings, drafts or supervises legislation, monitors proposed legislation, and participates in rule making and related procedures.

The role may involve overseeing outside counsel retained to represent the department in litigation.

Other related duties as required.

The State’s total compensation package includes:

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal holiday each year;
• State Group Insurance coverage options (health, life, dental, vision, and other options);
• Retirement plan options with employer contributions.

For an estimate of the total compensation package for this position, please visit the “Total Compensation Estimator Tool” located above under the posting closing date.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace. Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center. The State supports a Drug-Free workplace and all employees are subject to drug testing as per state law.

Locations include Gainesville, FL;
Tallahassee, FL; and other assigned locations in Florida as posted.

Blair Bodenmiller,

For assistance, call the People First Service Center at , Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Eastern time.