SENIOR ATTORNEY - 55000283

Requisition No: 837743 

Agency: Department of Transportation

Working Title: SENIOR ATTORNEY - 55000283

 Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 55000283 

Salary:  $75,000.00 - $85,000.00 

Posting Closing Date: 01/05/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

JOB POSTING DESCRIPTION

916 / Office of General Counsel

ANTICIPATED VACANCY

SELECTED EXEMPT SERVICE

CONTACT PERSON:  Denise Johnson, Deputy General Counsel, 605 Suwannee Street, MS 58, Tallahassee, FL  32399

CONTACT PHONE NUMBER: (850) 414-5365

CONTACT EMAIL ADDRESS: denise.johnson@dot.state.fl.us

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:  You may be required to provide your Social Security Number to conduct required verifications. Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion in the 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.

THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION VALUES AND SUPPORTS EMPLOYMENT OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.  QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.
In accordance with Section 110.112, Florida Statutes, and the Florida Department of Transportation’s Individuals with Disabilities Affirmative Action Plan, the agency is committed to ensuring affirmative action and equal employment opportunity for qualified individuals with disabilities.  Upon request and as appropriate, reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities may be provided.  Please contact the Florida Department of Transportation’s Human Resources Office located at 605 Suwannee Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399, or call (850) 414-5300 for assistance.  

POSITION DESCRIPTION: Handles matters in defense of the Department or in the pursuit of the Department’s rights.   The primary responsibility for the attorney in this position is to provide legal representation, advice, and counsel on labor law, employment law, and civil rights matters.  This position performs a significant role in personnel administration by advising the agency Director of Human Resources and agency managers in personnel matters involving state and federal employment law requirements, including the Family and Medical Leave Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, and Florida Civil Rights Act, and in matters involving claims of discrimination or retaliation under federal and state employment laws, employee relations and discipline, and the administration of collective bargaining agreements.

Handles litigation through the use of independent judgment; must exhibit quality litigation and research skills in handling cases in areas such as labor and employment, administrative, and civil rights.  Personally prepares or closely supervises the preparation of pleadings, discovery, jury instructions, and all related activities.  Must be prepared to litigate in federal, state circuit, and county jurisdictions and the Division of Administrative Hearings, the Public Employees Relations Commission and the Florida Commission on Human Relations.

Represents the Department in state and federal appellate proceedings.

Responsible for the diligent, accurate, and thorough review, research, and analysis of public records requests and all tasks necessary, either directly or through supervision, to locate, review, redact, respond to, and provide documents responsive to such requests, ensuring statewide consistency in all responses.   

Responsible for administrative duties, including but not limited to:  completing and submitting time and travel records; reviewing general mail and email; preparing internal reports; managing expenses; preparing litigation and expert budgets;  and managing contracts to ensure that the work to be performed and the contracted amounts are accurately estimated, contractors stay within their budgets and abide by all contract terms and deadlines, amendments are timely executed, funds are promptly encumbered, and settlement agreements are kept to a minimum.   

Qualifying Questions will not disqualify an applicant.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of litigation and civil rules of procedure and practice and Government In the Sunshine Law. Knowledge of the principles and techniques of effective verbal and written communications. Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.  Ability to utilize problem solving techniques.  Ability to work independently.  Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments.  Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.  Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.  Ability to use word processing, graphic presentation software, database, and mainframe applications.

REQUIRED LICENSURE/REGISTRATION/CERTIFICATION: Must be a member of The Florida Bar.

OTHER JOB RELATED REQUIREMENTS: This position will require overnight travel.  This position requires a Level I background check.

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.