68064735 - SENIOR ATTORNEY

Requisition No: 881005 

Agency: Agency for Health Care Administration

Working Title: 68064735 - SENIOR ATTORNEY

 Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 68064735 

Salary:  $3,461.54 - $4,038.46 Biweekly 

Posting Closing Date: 08/17/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

LEGAL ADVERTISEMENT - TALLAHASSEE 

Our Organization and Mission:

The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) is Florida’s chief health policy and planning entity. 

The Agency is responsible for the oversight and administration of the Florida Medicaid program, the licensure and regulation of nearly 50,000 health care facilities and empowering consumers through health care transparency initiatives and ensuring the safety of Florida’s most vulnerable citizens.

Under the direction of Agency Secretary Shevaun L. Harris, the Agency is focused on advancing Governor DeSantis’ vision for Florida’s health care system to be the most cost-effective, transparent, and high-quality health care system in the nation.

The General Counsel’s Office provides support to the Agency to assist with carrying out its mission. 

If you have a desire to use your talent and skills at an organization that provides critical services to millions of individuals and families across the state, AHCA invites you to apply to become an essential member of our team. 

As one of Florida’s leading state agencies, AHCA’s diverse workforce community of more than 1,400 employees is proud of its efforts to serve the people of Florida.

The Work You Will Do:

An employee fulfilling the duties of a Senior Attorney is performing the most responsible professional legal work, other than that performed by the General Counsel and a Deputy General Counsel, that can be accomplished by an attorney for a state agency. 

A high degree of independent, professional judgment, an intimate knowledge of the law, an ability and skill to handle complex litigation and all types of administrative actions as well as an ability to research and interpret complex provisions of the law as it relates to the powers, duties and functions of an agency are required of a Senior Attorney. 

A Senior Attorney must be able to produce high quality, professional work product in a timely, professional, and practical manner. 

A Senior Attorney must, also, have a high degree of professional skill in client relations with an ability to listen and communicate effectively, to keep others informed, to deal effectively with conflict and change, and to develop and maintain a professional and effective working relationship with all agency employees and the public.

Render requested legal advice and counsel to the Secretary, Secretary's staff, and other employees of the agency regarding HIPAA and Public Records. 

This position serves as the HIPAA Privacy Officer and Agency Counsel for Public Records. 

Incumbent shall ensure the Agency is safeguarded against any violations of the Public Records statutes and HIPAA regulations by overseeing the compliant preparation, review, and release of documents responsive to public records request. 

The incumbent is responsible for enforcing applicable compliance protocols, validating the accuracy and appropriateness of disclosures, and ensuring all information provided to third parties adheres to established legal and regulatory requirements. 

Incumbent supervises and directs Public Records and HIPAA office staff; reports to the General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, and Agency Clerk on all matters related to Public Records and HIPAA; represents the Agency in public records litigation as needed; researches and updates the Agency's Public Records Policy annually; maintains up-to-date knowledge of HIPAA laws and regulations; and delivers Agency-wide training on Public Records and HIPAA requirements. 

Act as the Agency's designated Rules Coordinator, responsible for administering and monitoring all rulemaking actions, ensuring statutory compliance, facilitating inter-departmental collaboration in the drafting and revision of rules, and overseeing timely filing and publication of rule materials.

Review, research, and respond to ADA and Civil Rights complaints received by the public.

How you will Grow:

AHCA employees are expected to uphold the four core values: Accountability, Fairness, Responsiveness, and Teamwork.  In turn, we will involve you on important and often complex projects while offering you the opportunity to gain valuable experience quickly.

Where You Will Work:

Tallahassee, Florida’s Capital City, lined with rolling hills, oak trees, and canopied roads combines old world charm with a modern pace of life.  Home to two major universities as well as state government, Tallahassee is a mid-sized city in the heart of Florida’s Big Bend.  Boasting proximity to the coast and centrally located to popular tourist destinations, Tallahassee is highly desirable location for both those seeking their first job or those ready to enter the next exciting, chapter in their career.  Also, with no state income tax, Florida is great place to work regardless of where you find yourself on the career ladder.

Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. We offer an excellent array of benefits, including:

•              Health insurance (i.e., individual and family coverage) to eligible employees

•              Life insurance; $25,000 policy is free plus option to purchase additional life insurance

•              Dental, vision and supplemental insurance

•              State of Florida retirement options, including employer contributions

•              Ability to earn up to 176 hours of paid annual leave as a new employee with the State of Florida

•              Ability to earn up to 104 hours of sick leave annually

•              Nine paid holidays and 1 personal holiday each year

•              Opportunities for career advancement

•              Tuition waivers (accepted by major Florida Colleges/universities)

•              Student loan forgiveness opportunities (eligibility required)

•              Training opportunities

•              Flexible Spending Accounts

•              Shared Savings Program for select medical services

•              Lower copays for prescription drugs

•              Health and Wellness discounts

For a more complete list of benefits, please visit https://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com/

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."

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

•              Knowledge of the rulemaking process.

•              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 plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments.

•              Ability to use available technology to perform assigned duties, including computer software, hardware, and data systems.

•              Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

•              Ability to use independent judgement 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.

•              Ability to travel with or without accommodations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS

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

LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION, OR REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

Florida Bar License

CONTACT: DOUGLAS SUNSHINE 850-412-3633

BACKGROUND SCREENING

It is the policy of the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration that any applicant being considered for employment must successfully complete a State and National criminal history check as a condition of employment before beginning employment, and, if applicable, also be screened in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, F.S., and Chapter 408, F.S.  No applicant may begin employment until the background screening results are received, reviewed for any disqualifying offenses, and approved by the Agency.  Background screening shall include, but not be limited to, fingerprinting for State and Federal criminal records checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and may include local criminal history checks through local law enforcement agencies.

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.