Senior Attorney

Overview

The State Personnel System is an E-Verify employer.

Requisition No:
868441. Agency:
Department of Health.

Working Title:

SENIOR ATTORNEY - . This is a Senior Attorney position (located in Palm Beach County) providing legal services to the Florida Department of Health for Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie and Okeechobee counties. This position legally supports all Department programs by providing legal advice, conducting legal research, and ensuring program compliance with local, state, and federal laws. Investigates legal issues affecting patient care and rights, staff employee relations, environmental health issues, regulatory/enforcement issues, contracts with providers, and agreements with community organizations, among others.

This position has extensive knowledge of state statutes, federal regulations, administrative rules, evidentiary rules, rules of civil procedure and local ordinances. Work is performed under the supervision of the Chief Legal Counsel. This position requires independent judgment, initiative, applying general knowledge of business practices and skill in applying instructions to accomplish various job functions.

This position is designated as a sensitive position and is required to maintain confidential information in accordance with state and federal laws and the Florida Department of Health’s (FDOH) Information Security Policy, Protocols and Procedures.

• Performs assigned legal activities for Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie and Okeechobee counties at the direction of the Chief Legal Counsel.
• Reviews all requests for legal action and determines if they are legally valid to be heard before DOAH, Environmental Control Hearing Board, Environmental Appeals Board, Child Care Advisory Council, and Circuit Court. Conducts witness briefings with staff prior to hearings.
• Enforces and prosecutes violations in Palm Beach County through the Department’s Environmental Health Program, pursuant to applicable statutes and rules; reviews Consent Orders for four DEP-delegated programs.
• Reviews, revises and approves all contracts, memorandums of agreement, grants, and competitive procurements.
• Advises and represents the Agency in personnel matters including FLSA, EEO, and PERC; handles HIPAA and confidentiality issues.
• Reviews child care licensing applications monthly.
• Provides employees and management with responses to ethics inquiries.
• Litigates TB commitment hearings in Circuit Court.
• Reviews and evaluates risk management matters and acts as liaison to the Division of Risk Management.
• Prepares legal opinions and appellate briefs for appeals.
• Provides legal counsel on release of confidential information, subpoenas, search warrants, depositions, trial testimony, and representation in court/administrative proceedings.
• Provides legal advice and support for disease outbreaks.
• Performs travel to the specified counties for litigation, interviews, investigations, training, and attends meetings, seminars, and workshops related to the Department.
• Acts as backup to the Chief Legal Counsel in their absence for all legal matters in the designated counties, including personnel, confidentiality, ethics, and family health services issues.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Knowledge of all applicable laws, rules and regulations.

Licensure/registration/certification requirements (If applicable, list the appropriate Florida Statute or federal regulation cite).

Other job-related requirements for this position:

• Incumbent may be required to work before, during and/or beyond normal work hours or days in the event of an emergency. Emergency duty required includes working in special needs shelters or responding to disasters.
• A Valid Driver’s License

Daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Total hours in workweek: 40. This is a full-time, in-office position.

Mission: To protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county & community efforts.

Vision: To be the healthiest State in the Nation.

Values: Innovation, Collaboration, Accountability, Responsiveness, and Excellence. We value…