SENIOR ATTORNEY - 48003615

Requisition No: 828274 

Agency: Department of Education

Working Title: SENIOR ATTORNEY - 48003615

 Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 48003615 

Salary:  70-90K 

Posting Closing Date: 05/10/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Florida Department of Education

Office of the General Counsel

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 provide:

1. Higher Student Achievement
2. Seamless Articulation and Maximum Access
3. Skilled Workforce and Economic Development
4. Quality Services

Florida Department of Education – Office of the General Counsel

Office Contact

Tria Parsons

(850) 245-0738

Job Description

THIS POSITION IS AN ASSISTANT GENERAL COUNSEL.  The primary responsibility of the attorney in this position is to represent the Florida Department of Education in disciplinary proceedings against licensed educators. Duties include drafting and presenting administrative complaints, negotiating settlements, conducting formal and informal hearings, and representing the Department before the Education Practices Commission.

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

Duties and Responsibilities

• As Assistant General Counsel, qualified by training and experience to handle complex 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.
• Review investigations of alleged educator misconduct and advise the Commissioner concerning probable cause or lack thereof.
• Prosecute formal complaints filed by the Commissioner under Chapter 120, F.S., in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 120, F.S.
• Conduct depositions, write interrogatories, or perform any other discovery technique necessary to prosecute a case.
• Conduct or supervise legal research, writing of legal memoranda, or perform other duties necessary to prosecute a case.
• Consult with the Commissioner regarding disciplinary action prior to the issuance of a final order by the Education Practices Commission.
• Perform related tasks as assigned by the General Counsel.
• Attendance at work is an essential job function. 
• The employee must be productive under tight timeframes, balance multiple and competing priorities and maintain goal-directed behavior and performance, sometimes under stressful conditions.
• The employee must interact courteously with others.

Who We’re Looking For

Someone who can:

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.

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
• Two years of professional experience in the practice of law, legal research, teaching law or in administrative or judicial hearings.

APPLICATION INFORMATION & REQUIREMENTS

• Work History (entered with the most recent/current listed first):
  • Any and all State of Florida jobs
  • Any and all Florida University jobs
  • All periods of employment from high school graduation
  • Periods of unemployment
  • Gaps 3 months or more*
  • Education
  • Volunteer Experience
• Include supervisor names and phone numbers including current place of employment.
• *Gaps 3 months or more must be addressed – you will need to account for and explain any gaps in employment including unemployment. You can either list these in your application under Period of Employment or attach a word document listing your gaps.
• Experience, education, training, knowledge, skills and/or abilities as well as responses to pre-qualifying questions must be verifiable to meet the minimum qualifications.  
• It is unacceptable to use the statement “See Resume” in place of entering work history. Your candidate profile will convert to your official application.

• If claiming Veteran’s Preference, candidate MUST attach supporting documentation (DD214).
• If claiming Right to First Interview, candidate MUST attach a copy of your official layoff letter when applying. This only applies to employees laid off from Career Service positions.
• All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.

If you experience problems applying online, please call the People First Service Center at (877) 562-7287

WORKING FOR THE STATE OF FLORIDA HAS BENEFITS!

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

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

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.

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.