FORENSIC ATTORNEY - 67056566 1

Requisition No: 855931 

Agency: Agency for Persons with Disabilities

Working Title: FORENSIC ATTORNEY - 67056566 1

 Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 67056566 

Salary:  $85,000.00 - $95,000.00 Annually 

Posting Closing Date: 07/30/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

AGENCY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

 POSITION: FORENSIC ATTORNEY - Select Service Type (CS, SES, OPS, SMS)

WORKING TITLE: Senior Attorney

POSITION NUMBER: 67056566

OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY

*This is an ANTICIPATED VACANCY*

This posting may close before the posted closing date.

This position is not a Telework position and is required to report to the APD office in the area it serves.

This position may be headquartered at DDDP in Chattahoochee, FL or at the State Office in Tallahassee, located within the Capital Circle Office Complex at 4030 Esplanade Way. 

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 eligible 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.
• Paid Maternity and Parental Leave.

The Agency seeks team members who demonstrate the qualities of being humble, hungry, and smart and lead others to embody the same. This entails lacking excessive ego, sharing credit, being self-motivated, and exercising good judgment and intuition regarding the subtleties of group dynamics. 

This position with APD will serve staff and management across the Agency. Your work will impact the workplace culture, our community, and the population we serve as we continuously strive to achieve the Agency’s mission.

*Responses to the qualifying questions are required and must be verifiable based on your submitted application, and “see resume” will not be considered an acceptable response. 

SALARY RANGE

$85,000.00 - $95,000.00 Annually     

Minimum Qualifications

• Member of the Florida Bar in good standing.
• Valid Driver’s License or other efficient means of transportation
• Must be able to travel for work purposes

Position Summary

The Forensic Attorney position is in the Office of the General Counsel. 

1. This position provides legal representation to APD in forensic cases.  These cases involve issues surrounding the competency of a criminal defendant to proceed to trial and competency restoration training appropriate for the defendant.  In addition, the forensic attorney will represent APD on cases involving the involuntary admission of individuals to residential services including representation at the annual review hearings.  The attorney duties will include drafting of pleadings, motions, and proposed orders; review and filing of psychological evaluations; coordinating witness appearances and attending hearings.  Most annual review hearings are held remotely; however, the attorney must be able to travel if it becomes necessary.  The attorney will receive guidance and training to successfully handle the cases assigned. There are weekly forensic meetings to discuss and resolve any issues with the assigned cases.  This position reports directly to the Forensic Attorney Supervisor.

This position also provides counsel to the Agency’s Developmental Disabilities Centers (DDC) Developmental Disabilities Defendant Program (DDDP), Pathways Program, and Sunland Center—which provide residential services to individuals committed pursuant to Chapters 393 and 916, Florida Statutes. This position provides consultative services to DDC and State Office staff related to policies and procedures related to Florida Statutes.

The Work You Will Do 

Provide legal representation to the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (Agency) under the direction of the General Counsel.

Represents the Agency in forensic cases involving involuntary commitment proceedings and treatment petitions before various courts with continuing jurisdiction over DDC residents.

Monitors court reports for DDC residents and files those reports, along with proposed orders and other necessary pleadings, in committing courts throughout the state in accordance with Florida Statutes and the Rules of Criminal Procedure.

Represents the Agency’s DDCs in litigation in various forums to include state trial and appellate courts, federal trial and appellate courts, and state and federal administrative forums. In these efforts, thorough research of the facts and law for each case is a requirement.

Serves as a member of the Executive Leadership Team DDDP/Pathways and Sunland Center and analyzes legal issues raised by the DDCs and provides legal advice and guidance as needed.

Responds to oral and written requests for legal opinions which require careful research, a discussion with the person requesting the opinion and other persons having relevant information, and an exploration of underlying facts.

Provides consultative services to DDC and State Office staff related to policies and procedures related to Florida Statutes.

Works with Agency and DDC personnel in reviewing proposed legislation impacting the Agency’s forensic services (bill analyses) from any source and reviewing existing statutes for the purpose of proposing any needed remedial legislation.

Serves as additional legal support for the Agency's Employee Relations personnel in regard to employment issues at the DDCs. Will be available for assistance or as a back-up for State Office Attorneys providing primary legal support for the DDCs on employment matters.

Reviews Agency DDC’s manuals, letters, and documents for legal sufficiency.

Performs other duties as assigned.

How You Will Grow:

The OGC offers a unique opportunity to enrich your administrative law experience and expand your knowledge in multiple areas of the law, that includes appearance in criminal and civil court, contractual disputes, and cases involving human resources and personnel litigation. There are pathways for promotion for those who want to be leaders in the courtroom and for those who would rather be leaders in the office. As a tight-knit team of attorneys and staff, the OGC serves the broader legal needs of the Agency.  This fosters a culture of teamwork, unity, and collaboration.  Working for the OGC also provides the chance to maintain a healthy work-life balance, with flexibility and ample leave benefits. You will have the unique opportunity to work under a Board-Certified Specialist General Counsel and if desired you will be encouraged and supported to earn your own certification. Open learning opportunities will be provided through free CLE courses with the General Counsel.

The Difference You Will Make:

The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) is a consumer-oriented agency responsible for supporting individuals with unique abilities and their families in living, learning, and working within their communities by creating multiple pathways to possibilities. https://apd.myflorida.com/ .The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) at APD is dedicated to providing sound and thorough legal guidance with a high degree of professionalism and ethics, with respect and understanding for the individuals and families the Agency serves. The OGC is committed to the goal of providing the highest possible quality representation to our client.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Legal terminology.
• Florida laws and legal procedure, including administrative procedures and practices.
• Residential or forensic facility operations (Preferred).
• Public records and their exemptions, HIPAA, Medicaid, and laws and ethics in government (Preferred).
• Microsoft Office software (Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint, Excel, and SharePoint) and Adobe Acrobat).

Ability to:

• Provide legal counsel and represent the Agency at the circuit court and appellate level.
• Perform legal research and prepare various legal documents.
• Interpret state and federal legislation, laws, and rules.
• Employ legal reasoning and to foresee possible legal problems.
• Communicate effectively and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Engage in alternative dispute resolution.
• Deal tactfully and courteously with the public, including unrepresented litigants.
• Plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments independently for a high-volume caseload.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Conduct meetings and make presentations.
• Earn and adapt to continually evolving software and technology.
• Travel for work purposes.

Demonstrate Skills in:

• Public records and their exemptions, HIPAA, Medicaid, and laws and ethics in government. (Preferred).
• Residential or forensic facility operations. (Preferred).
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with others.

Additional Information

Profile Completion

To qualify for this position, applicants must complete all fields in the Candidate Profile, including their work history with the month and year. 

Resumes and other documentation can be attached to provide additional information but will not replace the required completed Candidate Profile.

Retiree Notice

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 suspended or voided, and you will be required to repay all benefits received depending upon your retirement date.

Direct Deposit Program

As a condition of employment, a person appointed to a position in the State Personnel System is required to participate in the Direct Deposit Program.  Rather than receiving a paper paycheck, your funds will be deposited directly into your account at your financial institution. This will be accomplished by Electronic Funds Transfer. Banks, savings and loan associations, and credit unions are eligible to accept such deposits. Retirement funds are also required to be in the Direct Deposit Program.

Background Screening Requirement

It is the policy of the Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities that applicants for employment undergo Level 2 employment screening in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, Florida Statutes, as a condition of employment or being permitted to serve as a volunteer.

No applicant for a designated position will be employed or permitted to volunteer until the Level 2 screening results are received, reviewed, and approved by the Agency.
Level 2 background screening shall include, but not be limited to, fingerprinting for Statewide criminal and juvenile records checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Federal criminal records checks through the Federal Bureau of Investigation and may include local criminal records checks through local law enforcement agencies.

Pursuant to S. 110.1127(1), Florida Statutes, this position requires a background investigation, including fingerprinting.

APD only hires U.S. citizens and those lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. APD participates in the U.S. government’s employment eligibility verification program (E-Verify), which electronically confirms an employee’s eligibility to work in the U.S. after completing the employment eligibility verification form (I-9).

All applicants should complete the online application process. If you need assistance applying for this position, please call the People First service center at 1-877-562-7287. 

Responses to the qualifying questions are required to be considered for this position. Answers to the qualifying questions must be verifiable based on your submitted application.

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.