SENIOR ATTORNEY - 65000530

Requisition No: 852906 

Agency: Elder Affairs

Working Title: SENIOR ATTORNEY - 65000530

 Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 65000530 

Salary:  $5,833.34-$7,500.00 MONTHLY 

Posting Closing Date: 05/23/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

DEPARTMENT OF ELDER AFFAIRS

OFFICE OF PUBLIC AND PROFESSIONAL GUARDIANS

*****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.

The Department of Elder Affairs is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Senior Attorney to join the Department’s Office of Public and Professional Guardians (OPPG). Under the direction of the Executive Director of OPPG, this pivotal role provides legal guidance and legal representation to the Department of Elder Affairs (Department) and is responsible for all legal matters of the Department relating to guardianship and the duties and responsibilities of the Department’s OPPG.

The Department is dedicated to promoting the well-being, safety, and independence of Florida's seniors, their families, and caregivers. Its vision is for all Floridians to live well and age well.

If you're a detail-oriented legal professional committed to public service and ready to make a meaningful impact, we encourage you to apply.

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 employees features a highly competitive employee benefits including:

• State Group Health Insurance Coverage;
• $25,000 Life Insurance Policy (100% paid by employer);
• Dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options available;
• Annual and Sick Leave benefits,
• 10 paid holidays each year;
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (For more information, please click www.myfrs.com);
• Flexible Spending Accounts; and
• Tuition waivers to attend State of Florida community colleges, colleges, and universities!

For a more complete list of benefits, click https://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com/.

PAY: Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications, ranging from $70,000.08 to $90,000.00, annually.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

• Regulation and Enforcement of Chapter 744, Florida Statutes, as to Public and Private Professional Guardians. Represents the Department (DOEA) and the OPPG in performing all legal work in the regulation and enforcement of the provisions of Chapter 744, F.S., applicable to Public and Private Professional Guardians.
• Determination of Legal Sufficiency of Complaints. Consults with and coordinates the determination of initial legal sufficiency of complaints with the OPPG Executive Director, and if necessary, OPPG investigative and enforcement staff.
• Prosecution of Professional Guardians. Files administrative actions against Professional Guardians and represents the Department and the OPPG before the Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH) and other administrative and judicial forums. Drafts proposed recommended orders. Provides legal advice and assistance to the Department and the OPPG on matters involving the investigation and prosecution of professional guardians and on the official duties of the office.
• Training curriculum and registration testing. Provides legal assistance to the OPPG Director as requested in developing all necessary training curriculum and guardianship testing and ensuring training and testing remains current, relevant, and consistent with Florida statutes and rules. 
• Public Guardians. In consultation with the OPPG Executive Director and DOEA, is responsible for providing legal assistance in the contract development, monitoring the Public Guardians, and addressing any legal inquiries from Public Guardians, necessary litigation, and any other matters as they may arise.
• Rulemaking. In consultation with the Office of the General Counsel, drafts and reviews proposed administrative rules regarding public and professional guardians as necessary for compliance with Ch. 744, F.S., and to ensure rules are current and both substantively and technically accurate. Participates in rule development, rule workshops, and rule hearings. Responsible for moving proposed rules relating to public and professional guardians through the statutory rulemaking process.
• Legislation. For the OPPG, develops, drafts, reviews, monitors, and implements proposed legislation; prepares bill analyses; and reviews existing statutes for any needed legislation. Monitors legislative activities for impacts on the Department and the OPPG.
• Legal Research. Conducts legal research in a thorough and professional manner on highly complex problems involved in the various functions of the OPPG and the Department. In conducting legal research, takes the time and effort to explore any underlying facts with appropriate Department staff. Stays well-informed of changes in case law which might affect statutes and rules under which the OPPG and the Department carries out its responsibilities. Reviews and interprets statutes, regulations, and rules as necessary.
• Public Records. Processes or assists in the handling of public record requests for the OPPG.  Reviews and redacts OPPG records as necessary.
• Background screening. For the OPPG, assists in the processing and review of background screenings and other registration requirements.
• Counsel and Advice.  Assists DOEA as requested to provide legal counsel and advice to the Secretary, the Chief of Staff, the OGC and OPPG, and other administrative / managerial employees on complex legal issues relating to the Department’s programs and activities particularly in areas concerning public and professional guardians. Anticipates potential legal problems of new plans or programs and advises the Department and the OPPG of legal and administrative alternatives to achieve the Department’s objectives. Responds to oral and written requests from Department and OPPG personnel as directed by the Executive Director of OPPG.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Extensive knowledge of Florida Statues, including the Administrative Procedures Act (Chapter 120, Florida Statutes) and the ability to express ideas and information orally and in writing.
• Ability to determine work priorities, organize, assign and coordinate work, and ensure proper completion of work assignments. Ability to follow written and oral directions and instructions.  Problem-solving skills, work well with individuals and groups; multi-task, manage multiple assignments and deadlines.  Plan and organize to ensure work is completed in accordance with regulations relating to eligibility and timeliness.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.  Ability to communicate with others to obtain and verify information concerning eligibility.
• Ability to demonstrate a professional and courteous demeanor to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with the public and staff.
• Possess strong written and oral communication skills, including correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling.  Be detail oriented and able to enter data accurately into a computerized system.  Navigate multiple computer screens and applications.  Proficiency in Microsoft Windows Operating environments and Office Suite products to include Word, Excel, Outlook, OneDrive, Power Point, and SharePoint. Prepare clear, concise, and accurate records and other documentation in a logical format. 
• Analyze and interpret written, numerical, and verbal data from various sources.  Type and prepare reports and memorandums accurately and timely.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality as required. 

REQUIREMENTS:

• The candidate must have obtained a juris doctorate degree, be an active member in good standing with the Florida Bar and have a minimum of 2 years legal experience in the practice of law.
• This position will likely require more than 40 hours of work a week.
• Ability to travel as necessary.

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.