SENIOR ATTORNEY - 71000353 1

Requisition No: 846088 

Agency: Department of Law Enforcement

Working Title: SENIOR ATTORNEY - 71000353 1

 Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 71000353 

Salary:  $97,850.00 

Posting Closing Date: 02/25/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

EXECUTIVE SENIOR ATTORNEY

OFFICE OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL

**Open-Competitive Opportunity**

POSITION SUMMARY:

The position is based in Tallahassee and is the divisional legal advisor for FDLE’s Protective Services Division (PSD) and Capitol Police. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Office of General Counsel (OGC) works closely with the department’s Command Staff, regional Special Agents in Charge, and Program Directors to provide legal assistance and advice that is responsive to the specialized needs of the department, region, or division.

The OGC serves the entire agency in many different capacities which include general state agency issues, such as human resource legal issues and public records requests; FDLE-specific matters, such as advising agents regarding ongoing criminal investigations and criminal intelligence gathering, Firearms Purchase Program concerns, DNA and Crime Laboratories legal questions, and Sexual Predator / Sexual Offender Registration questions.  The OGC also handles Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (CJSTC) professional licensure prosecutions, agency contracts, purchasing issues and administrative rulemaking. OGC members provide training on a variety of criminal law and procedure topics for FDLE’s Special Agents.

The Department is seeking to fill an Executive Senior Attorney position within the Office of General Counsel in Tallahassee, Florida.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Specific duties include:

• Advising FDLE Special Agents, uniformed Capitol Police Officers, Investigators, and investigative support personnel on issues of law and criminal procedures, including search and seizure compliance with court orders, and electronic surveillance;
• Assisting the Office of General Counsel in Department efforts such as curriculum development and review for the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission, FDLE in-house training on multiple subjects including criminal law, personnel, and general “agency operation” topics; reginal court hearing appearances and assisting other agency attorneys as needed;
• Performing carefully and effectively with high level FDLE supervisors, and function as a part of the PSD and Capitol Police command teams;
• Reviewing and analyzing legislation and assisting in the preparation of the annual legislative summary;
• Providing legal advice and assistance to the delegated program areas on legal issues; and
• Reviewing departmental and program directives; reviewing or preparing administrative rules; advising the Department in matters of policy and discretion.

To be considered as a potential candidate, you must meet the minimum qualifications(s) listed below. Degrees must be from an accredited college or university as recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

SPECIAL NOTES:

All applicants must submit a completed State of Florida Employment Application via the People First System, specifically identifying required experience and current salary. In addition, applicants must email a legal writing sample to the attention of Phylicia Carridge, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Office of General Counsel, email address: PhyliciaCarridge@fdle.state.fl.us. Incomplete submissions will not be considered.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. A member of the Florida bar for four or more years;
2. At least two years of experience as a law enforcement agency legal advisor, prosecutor, or similar criminal justice system work; and

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Extensive knowledge of the First and Fourth Amendments;
• Significant experience prosecuting misdemeanor offenses including trespass, disorderly conduct, resisting an officer without violence, or petit theft;
• Ability to create and present training materials;
• Effective oral advocacy skills (courtroom hearings and trials).

Experience writing or evaluating search warrant affidavits and warrants; and 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the principles and techniques of effective verbal and written communication;
• Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures;
• Ability to deal with the public in a tactful and courteous manner;
• Ability to work independently;
• Ability to utilize problem solving techniques;
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments;
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing; and
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with others.

BASE SALARY:

• $97,850.00

HOW YOU WILL GROW:

FDLE recognizes the importance of growth and success while fostering a family-oriented work environment. We encourage our members to seek opportunities for professional growth through training, team building, and mentoring. Our four Fundamental Values of Service, Integrity, Respect and Quality will guide you as you embark on a lifelong career at FDLE.

OUR SALARY & BENEFITS:

Starting salary will be the minimum of the class pay range, unless otherwise dictated by FDLE’s pay policy. FDLE is a State of Florida Employer and offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• State of Florida Tuition Waiver Program;
• Paid holidays, vacation and sick leave;
• HMO and PPO health insurance options with premiums starting as low as $50 per month;
• $25,000 in automatic life insurance coverage;
• Multiple supplemental insurance options including: dental, vision, disability and more;
• Paid maternity leave and parental leave following the birth or adoption of a child;
• Pension and investment retirement plan options; and
• Tax deferred medical and child care reimbursement accounts.

ABOUT OUR AGENCY:

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) employs more than 1,900 members statewide – either at headquarters in Tallahassee or in one of seven regional operations centers (ROCs). Our mission is to promote public safety and strengthen domestic security. Click here for additional information about FDLE.

HIRING PROCESS:

You will be evaluated for this job based on your previous knowledge and experience. Additional reviews may be performed to screen for preferred qualifications, experience and education. Your qualifications will be based on knowledge, skills, and abilities and other elements relevant to this position supported by the information in your application. Qualifying questions will only be credited if verifiable by the information provided on your application including specifically required software/computer skills. You may be contacted to participate in a selection process which may consist of written exercises, work samples, skills tests, interviews, drug screen and fingerprinting.  You may be notified by email to participate in a selection process. Failure to reply within a designated timeframe may exclude you from further consideration. Future vacancies may be filled from this position advertisement.

BACKGROUND:

FDLE requires an extensive background process of all recommended applicants. The elements of a background include: financial credit check, criminal history of applicant and applicant’s immediate family or roommates, personal references, employment and education verifications (which includes official transcript(s)), drug screen and fingerprinting.  This information will be utilized to make the final hiring decision.

NOTES:

Preference will be given to current FDLE members who have satisfactorily completed at least six months of the probationary period for their current position.

REMINDERS:

1. Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Services System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov.
2. 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 cancelled, suspended, or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement. 

The State of Florida hires only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers.

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.