CHIEF LEGAL COUNSEL - 64007046

Requisition No: 873462 

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: CHIEF LEGAL COUNSEL - 64007046

 Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 64007046 

Salary:  $118,000 Annually 

Posting Closing Date: 05/01/2026 

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Florida Department of Health

Office of the General Counsel

Chief Legal Counsel

Open Competitive Opportunity

Your Specific Responsibilities:

This position will serve as the Chief Legal Counsel for the Transactions Practice Group. This Practice Group will provide guidance and advice on arrangements and relationships which warrant a written agreement, such as contracts, memoranda of agreement or understanding, letters of agreement, provider agreements, leases and grant awards.  In addition, this group will provide advice and counsel concerning procurement issues, contract monitoring, and administration.

The Transactions Practice Group provides advice, counsel, and legal review for the Department of Health on:

Development and administration of competitive and non-competitive procurements of property, buildings, commodities and services;

Representation of the Department in bid protests before the Division of Administrative Hearings and appellate courts;

Proposed contracts and existing contracts from leases, direct orders, purchase orders, contracts, memoranda of understanding or agreement; and Amendments, renewals and terminations of existing agreements as identified above.

The incumbent will interact daily with programmatic personnel of the Department and provide input on solicitations and contracts.  The position works closely with Contract Administration and Purchasing within the Bureau of General Services.

The incumbent will coordinate office legal needs with other Practice Group Leaders and ensure client satisfaction of the Group’s work.

The incumbent will provide advice and counsel as requested by County Health Department attorneys.

This position is responsible for familiarity with and application of state and federal statutes and regulations governing various purchasing and contract activities of the Department.  The incumbent will provide written legal documents including memoranda, correspondence and litigation pleadings.  This position will also draft procurement and contract language as required.

Responsible for the supervision of attorneys, planning and directing their work, approving leave, documenting performance deficiencies, recognizing milestones and successes, and recommending hiring or disciplinary action.

Performs other tasks as assigned by the General Counsel or Deputy General Counsel.

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 of the incumbent includes working in special needs or Red Cross shelters, or performing other emergency duties including, but not limited to, responses to or threats involving any disaster or threat of disaster, man-made or natural.

Provides legal support to the Office of Information Technology and Division of Administration.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Possess a Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university or relevant experience determined by the agency. 

Basic knowledge of major personnel programs including equal employment opportunity and affirmative action, employee recruitment and selection, employer/employee relations, classification and pay, exam development and selection system validation. 

Knowledge of the basic principles of public administration

Knowledge of methods of collection and analyses of evidence

Knowledge of the principles and techniques of effective verbal and written communication and proficiency in the English language

Ability to conduct fact-finding research, understand and apply relevant state and federal laws, regulations, statutes, codes policies and procedures relating to program functions and non-discrimination in client services and equal employment opportunity

Ability to collect, evaluate, and analyze data relating to program functions and to develop alternative recommendations

Ability to prepare reports relating to program functions, including affirmative action plans and updates

Ability to work independently

Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships

Ability to communicate effectively

Ability to develop and provide training

Knowledge of Microsoft Office software

Qualifications:

Must be a member of the Florida Bar in good standing.

Procurement and contracts experience is preferred but not required

Florida Department of Health Mission, Vision, and Values:

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:

I nnovation: We search for creative solutions and manage resources wisely.

C ollaboration: We use teamwork to achieve common goals & solve problems.

A ccountability: We perform with integrity & respect.

R esponsiveness: We achieve our mission by serving our customers & engaging our partners.

E xcellence: We promote quality outcomes through learning & continuous performance improvement.

Where You Will Work:

Florida Department of Health

2585 Merchants Row Blvd.

Tallahassee, Florida 32311

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. As an OPS employee, the benefits below are available:

• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (mandatory)
• Participation in state group insurance (upon meeting eligibility requirements.  Consult with People First and/or the serving HR office)
• Workers’ Compensation (mandatory, if needed)
• Reemployment Assistance (Unemployment Compensation) (mandatory, if needed)
• Deferred Compensation (voluntary)
• Employee Assistance Program (voluntary)
• And more!

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

Please be advised:

Your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process.  

This position requires a security background check and/or drug screening and participation in direct deposit. Any misrepresentations or omissions will disqualify you from employment consideration. Note: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) in order to conduct this background check Successful completion of a drug test is a condition of employment for safety-sensitive positions.

Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Services System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov 

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida.  Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement. 

The successful candidate will be required to complete the Form I-9 and that information will be verified using the E-Verify system.  E-Verify is operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration to verify employment eligibility.   

Incumbents may be required to perform emergency duty before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days.

All Florida Department of Health positions require the incumbent to be able to learn and communicate effectively, orally and in writing, in English. Applicants who do not meet this requirement will not be considered.  

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace. 

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-877-562-7287). 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. 

Florida has the third largest population of veterans in the nation with more than 1.5 million service men and women.  The Florida Department of Health (department) is committed to serving members of the United States Armed Forces, veterans and their families by encouraging them to apply for vacancies that fit their area of knowledge and/or expertise.  Through the Department's VALOR program, which expedites licensing for military veterans, the Department also waives initial licensing and application fees for military veterans who apply for a health care professional license within 60 months of an honorable discharge. These initiatives help ensure that the transition from military service into the workforce is as smooth as possible and reflects our appreciation for the dedication devoted to protecting our country.    

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.