SENIOR ATTORNEY - 65000009

Requisition No: 839836 

Agency: Elder Affairs

Working Title: SENIOR ATTORNEY - 65000009

 Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 65000009 

Salary:  $4,903.20-$7,210.00 MONTHLY 

Posting Closing Date: 11/02/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

DEPARTMENT OF ELDER AFFAIRS

LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM

*****OPEN COMPETITIVE*****

ATTENTION CANDIDATES

Candidate Profile (application) must be complete in its entirety.

• Include supervisor names and phone numbers of all periods of employment.
• Account for and explain any gaps in employment so that the hiring process is not delayed. Gaps of employment for 3 months or more MUST be addressed on application.
• 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.
• Periods of employment should be entered with the most recent/current listed first.
• If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please contact the FRS to determine if your current benefits may be affected if you are reemployed with the State of Florida in an FRS-covered position.  Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended, or deemed invalid depending upon the date of your retirement. 

• If claiming Veteran’s Preference, candidates MUST attach supporting documentation (DD214).
• If claiming Right to First Interview, candidates MUST attach a copy of your official layoff letter when applying.
• 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.

PAPER APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED BY THE AGENCY. APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED THROUGH THE PEOPLE FIRST SYSTEM.

Mission Statement: To promote the well-being, safety, and independence of Florida’s elders, their families, and caregivers.

Vision Statement: For all Floridians to live well and age well.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

This is a highly responsible Senior Attorney position reporting directly to the State Ombudsman for the Office of State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program.  The individual filling this position provides legal representation for all legal matters of the Department of Elder Affairs (Department) relating to the duties and responsibilities of the Department’s Office of State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program.

Serves as counsel to the Office of State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program; and, in such capacity, and pursuant to s. 400.0063(2)(b)1, F.S., provides advice, consultation and assistance to the Ombudsman in carrying out duties of the office with respect to the abuse, neglect, or violation of rights of residents of long-term care facilities. 

Provides advise, consultation, and legal representation to any staff or representative of the office on matters involving official duties of the office.  This position will ensure that adequate legal counsel is available to the office and to any representative of the office against whom suit or other legal action is brought in connection with the performance of such representative’s official duties.

Provides formal and informal legal opinions and serves as a technical resource to the Ombudsman and representatives of the office. 

Assists the Ombudsman in developing the legal aspects of the long-term care policy issues to include evaluating proposed changes in law, administrative rules, and policies and procedures.  This position researches, drafts, and reviews proposed legislation relevant to the Office of State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, long-term care and resident issues. 

Undertakes chief responsibility for the development of strategies for the private sector to address legal issues of residents and consumers of the long-term care system. 

Provides information and training services to staff, council members, and others designated by the Ombudsman. 

Assists the Ombudsman in various matters, including legal aspects of budgeting, personnel decisions, audit reviews, and development and implementation of ombudsman programs. 

Prepares and reviews all legal instruments of the office, such as contracts and lease agreements

Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and conventions as needed to fulfill the functions of General Counsel and legal advocate for long-term care residents.

Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Ombudsman.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES REQUIRED:

The candidate must have knowledge of the Administrative Procedures Act (Chapter 120, Florida Statutes) and have the ability to express ideas and information orally and in writing.

REQUIREMENTS:

The candidate must have obtained a juris doctorate degree;

Be an active member in good standing with the Florida Bar or another states’ bar and willing to sit for the next available bar exam.

Additional hours may need to be worked during periods.

Ability to travel as necessary.

If selected for employment, applicant will be required to become a certified Ombudsman upon time frame set by employer.

BACKGROUND CHECKS:

A Successful completion of a Level 2 Criminal History Background Check is required for all applicants selected for this position.

APPLICANT INFORMATION:

Applicants should apply on-line via the People First Website https://peoplefirst.myflorida.com by 11:59 p.m. (EST) on the closing date of the position vacancy advertisement but are strongly encouraged to apply by 6:00 p.m. on the closing date to avoid any system down times or any other complications that may arise.

If you have problems applying on-line, call the People First Service Center at 1-877-562-7287. Paper applications will not be accepted by the agency.

The Department of Elder Affairs is an "older worker-friendly" employer and also lists vacancies on the Silver Edition website, found at http://silver.employflorida.com, that connects persons age 50 and older with other businesses/volunteer organizations/employers who specify they are "older worker-friendly."

The Department of Elder Affairs is an E-Verify employer and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each New Employee’s I-9 Form to confirm work eligibility.

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.