ATTORNEY

Requisition No: 841345 

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: ATTORNEY

 Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 37002115 

Salary:  $61,336.50-$80,000.00 

Posting Closing Date: 03/17/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Attorney-SES

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

This Advertisement Will Be Used to Fill Multiple Positions

Our Organization and Mission:

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is the state’s lead agency for environmental management and stewardship - protecting our air, water and land. The vision of DEP is to advance Florida’s position as a world leader in protecting natural resources while growing the state’s economy. 

The Work You Will Do:

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Office of General Counsel, in Tallahassee is seeking to fill multiple attorney positions in its Litigation Section.  The attorney would handle and litigate cases from inception through trial in civil and administrative proceedings. This is an exciting opportunity to litigate environmental issues such as protecting and managing: Florida’s air resources, including air quality, and permitting and compliance of emission sources; Florida’s water resources, including the quality of Florida’s water rivers, lakes, estuaries as well as the preservation of the State’s beach and dune system; and the improper handling and disposal of solid and hazardous waste. The attorney would also have the opportunity to litigate cases involving the protection and management of the ownership interests in over 12 million acres of public land vested in the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund (Board).

The Difference You Will Make:

The Office of General Counsel provides legal counsel and represents the DEP and the Board. The office focuses on Florida’s environmental priorities, such as restoring America’s Everglades; improving air quality; restoring and protecting water quality in Florida’s springs, lakes, rivers and coastal waters; conserving environmentally sensitive lands; and providing residents and visitors with varied recreational opportunities. The office also represents the Board in real property disputes. DEP is the lead agency in state government for environmental management and stewardship. DEP is one of the more diverse agencies in state government, protecting Florida’s air, water and land. Attorneys in OGC have the opportunity to work on all of Florida’s environmental priorities.

How You Will Grow:

DEP encourages its leaders to constantly innovate and seek efficiencies. We believe in supporting and encouraging you as you take on important and often complex projects while offering you the opportunity to gain valuable experience quickly.

Where You Will Work:

Tallahassee, Florida’s Capitol 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. Tallahassee is a highly desirable location for both those seeking their first job or those ready to enter the next exciting chapter in their career.

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year;
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options;
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (For more information, please click www.myfrs.com);
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;
• And more!

For a more complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

Pay: $61,336.50-$80,000.00- Salary will be commensurate with experience.

Your Specific Responsibilities:

Responsibilities would include review of enforcement documents, pre-trial prep, court appearances, motions, expert depositions, mediations, negotiations, and trials or final hearings in both civil and administrative proceedings.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• A willingness to actively participate, communicate and collaborate with team members, provide proactive guidance, respond to client and co-worker queries, and timely and effectively resolve issues.
• Ability to handle high volume in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to conduct legal research on issues including but not limited to administrative law and procedure, environmental law, and state rules of civil procedure.
• Excellent communication and critical thinking skills.
• Positive attitude.

 Required Qualifications:

• Membership in Good Standing with the Florida Bar.

 Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior litigation experience is preferred.

 Specific Degree/Discipline (REQUIRED): 

A Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited college or university; or any combination of post-secondary education or verifiable related experience, as described in this posting, for a total of 3 to 5 years.

POSITION OF SPECIAL TRUST REQUIREMENT:

This position is designated as a Position of Special Trust in accordance with DEP-422 (Positions of Special Trust or Responsibility). Any applicant being considered for employment must successfully complete a Level 2 State and National criminal history check as a condition of employment before beginning employment, and also be screened in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, F.S.  No applicant may begin employment until the background screening results are received, reviewed for any disqualifying offenses, and approved by the Agency.  

DEP is committed to successfully recruiting and onboarding talented and skilled individuals into its workforce. We recognize the extensive training, experience, and transferrable skills that veterans and individuals with disabilities bring to the workforce. Veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact our recruiter for guidance and answers to questions through the following email addresses:

HR_VeteransPreference@dep.state.fl.us

HR_Recruitment@FloridaDEP.gov

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, 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.