SENIOR ATTORNEY - 48003633

State of Florida; Tallahassee (FL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

State Group Insurance coverage (health

Retirement program (FRS)

Paid holidays

Job summary

Florida Department of Education in Tallahassee seeks a Senior Attorney (SES) to represent the Department in contractual matters and litigation across state and federal forums. The attorney will advise personnel, review and negotiate complex contracts, and participate in rulemaking and policy issues affecting K-12 and higher education programs.

This role emphasizes legal advisory work, collaboration with the General Counsel’s Office, and attendance at professional meetings to advance knowledge in

Qualifications

• Ability to prepare and maintain a variety of records.
• Ability to understand and apply Florida Statutes and FDOE rules and policies.
• Ability to solve problems.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to produce accurate and timely information under tight timeframes, balance multiple and competing priorities, and maintain goal‑oriented behavior and performance expectations.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office software, including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.

Responsibilities

• Represent the Department in contractual matters and related issues.
• Handle litigation before state and federal courts and administrative tribunals.
• Assist in preparation, review and negotiation of contracts.
• Attend meetings and conferences to advance knowledge in education law.
• Provide written and oral advice to Department personnel.

Skills

Records management

Statutes knowledge

Problem solving

Communication skills

Organization

MS Office

Collaboration

Education

Florida Bar admission

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

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The State Personnel System is an E-Verify employer. For more information click on ourE-Verify Website .

Requisition No:882938

Agency: Department of Education

Working Title: SENIOR ATTORNEY - 48003633

Location: Tallahassee Turlington Building

Position Title - Senior Attorney (SES)

Salary Range: 70k-90k

This advertisement may be used to fill multiple vacancies up to six months.

Florida Department of Education Mission Statement (or) Mission of the Bureau/Office

Every day the Department of Education works hand in hand with parents, teachers, educators, and community members to improve Florida's education system for students of all backgrounds and abilities. Our site reflects this cooperative relationship and the role that so many Floridians play in ensuring student success.

The FDOE’s mission for Florida’s Early Learning-20 education system is to increase the proficiency of all students within one seamless, efficient system, by allowing them the opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills through learning opportunities and research valued by students, parents, and communities.

Serving approximately 3 million students, 4,400 public schools, 28 colleges, 200,000 instructional staff, 46,000 college professors and administrators, and 340,000 full‑time staff throughout the state, FDOE enhances programs and services for Florida’s students from early learning through college and career development. In addition, FDOE manages programs that assist individuals who are blind, visually‑impaired, or disabled succeed either in school settings or careers – encouraging independence and self‑sufficiency.

FDOE’s goal is to hire individuals to produce:

• Higher Student Achievement
• Seamless Articulation and Maximum Access
• Skilled Workforce and Economic Development

Working in the Department of Education’s General Counsel’s Office is a perfect opportunity for a motivated attorney to sharpen their existing legal skills and develop new ones while providing an integral service to the people of Florida. The Department has general oversight of Florida’s education policy and works tirelessly to ensure that every Florida student is given the opportunity to pursue one of life’s greatest intrinsic goods: knowledge.

The primary responsibility of the attorney in this position is to represent the Department in contractual matters and relating to other issues encountered by the Department operating as a state agency generally. The attorney in this position may participate in procurement activities, labor relations matters, the Department’s scholarship programs and ethics matters. More specifically, the job entails:

Duties and Responsibilities

HANDLE LITIGATION AS ASSIGNED BY THE GENERAL COUNSEL – Handle litigation before all state and federal courts and administrative tribunals.

Represent the State Board of Education, the Commissioner of Education, and Department of Education in litigation where any of the above may be a party.

ADVICE AND CONSULTATION – Consult with and advise personnel of the Department of Education on a wide range of issues affecting the agency.

Areas of practice include, but are not limited to, contracts; reviewing, drafting and implementation of legislation; public records requests and Sunshine Law issues; intellectual property; technology issues; rulemaking; purchasing procedures and competitive solicitations; charter school issues; matters under the Administrative Procedures Act; assist K‑12 section in litigation and resolving legal issues involving the Education Code; and provide legal advice and litigation support to Choice Office and Office of Student Financial Assistance.

Write legal advisory opinions as assigned by the General Counsel.

ASSIST IN THE PREPARATION, REVIEW AND NEGOTIATION OF CONTRACTS – Responsible for the review of contracts, agreements, amendments, leases, and other miscellaneous contractual and commercial documents entered by the Department of Education as assigned by the General Counsel.

Provide assistance in the preparation, negotiation, and legal interpretation of complex contractual documents.

ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS AND CONFERENCES – Attend professional meetings and conferences designed to advance skill and knowledge in the field of education law.

Attend meetings and conferences involving Department of Education personnel and provide verbal and written advice as needed and when requested.

Performs other related tasks as assigned by the General Counsel.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to prepare and maintain a variety of records
• Ability to understand and apply Florida Statutes and FDOE rules and policies
• Ability to solve problems
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments
• Ability to produce accurate and timely information under tight timeframes, balance multiple and competing priorities, and maintain goal‑oriented behavior and performance expectations
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office software, including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel

.

Minimum Qualifications

• Admission to the Florida Bar

*This position is not approved for telework and must report to the location listed above.

Background Screening Requirement

It is the policy of the Florida Department of Education that applicants for employment/volunteer undergo Level 2 background screening in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, Florida Statutes, as a condition of employment or being permitted to serve as a volunteer. You will be required to provide your Social Security Number to conduct required verifications. No applicant for a designated position will be employed, contracted or permitted to volunteer until the level 2 screening results are received, reviewed, and approved by the Department. Level 2 background screening shall include, but not be limited to, finger printing for all purposes and checks under this requirement, statewide criminal and juvenile records checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, federal criminal records check through the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and local criminal records checks through local law enforcement.

Special Requirements

Selective Services System (SSS)

Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962 will not be eligible for hire or promotion in the Other Personal Services (OPS) or Career Service, or appointment in the Selected Exempt Service (SES) or Senior Management Service (SMS) unless they are registered with the Selective Service System (SSS) before their 26th birthday or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. Verification of Selective Service registration will be conducted prior to hire. For more information, please visit the Selective Service website .

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 (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug‑Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug‑Free Workplace Act.

For assistance, call the People First Service Center at [phone] Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Eastern time. Pursuant to Florida Law, 110.211 F. S., the State of Florida is an EEO employer.

Working For The State Of Florida Has Benefits!

• State Group Insurance coverage options+ (health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental option)
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (www.myfrs.com)
• Nine paid holidays and a Personal Holiday each year
• Annual and Sick Leave Benefits
• Student Loan Forgiveness Program(Eligibility required)
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tuition Fee Waivers (Accepted by major Florida colleges/universities)
• Highly skilled, professional environment
• We care about the success of our employees.
• We care about the success of our clients.
• We are always improving our technology, our tools, our customer’s experiences and ourselves.
• A rewarding experience for reliable, compassionate and professional employees.

Leave Information: SMS/SES

• Annual Leave - Employees in Senior Management Service and Selected Exempt Service positions are credited with 176 hours of annual leave upon appointment. In subsequent years, the annual allotment is credited on the anniversary date of the initial appointment.
• Sick Leave - Employees in Senior Management Service and Selected Exempt Service positions shall be credited with 104 hours of sick leave upon appointment. In subsequent years, the annual allotment is credited on the anniversary date of initial appointment.

Leave Information: (CS)

• Annual Leave - All full‑time Career Service employees filling established positions earn annual leave in varying increments dependent upon years of creditable service. Employees with up to 5 years of creditable service earn 8.667 hours per month, with 5 to 10 years earn 10.833 hours per month and those with over 10 years of service earn 13 hours per month. Employees in Senior Management Service and Selected Exempt Service positions are credited with 176 hours of annual leave upon appointment. In subsequent years, the annual allotment is credited on the anniversary date of the initial appointment.
• Sick Leave -. Career Service employees earn 8.667 hours of sick leave credits per month