DISTRICT CHIEF COUNSEL - 55012353

Requisition No: 841640 

Agency: Department of Transportation

Working Title: DISTRICT CHIEF COUNSEL - 55012353

 Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 55012353 

Salary:  $130,000 - $140,000 

Posting Closing Date: 01/05/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

JOB POSTING DESCRIPTION

750 / District 7 Chief Counsel

OPEN COMPETITIVE

SELECTED EXEMPT SERVICE

CONTACT PERSON:  Nicole Hults, Deputy General Counsel, 605 Suwannee Street, MS 58, Tallahassee, FL  32399

CONTACT PHONE NUMBER: (850) 414-5356

CONTACT EMAIL ADDRESS:  nicole.hults@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: This attorney serves as part of the Office of General Counsel statewide leadership team.  The primary responsibility for the attorney in this position is to coordinate and direct the activities of the attorneys and support staff physically assigned to the Department's District 7 Chief Counsel's office.  This attorney is responsible for implementing the directions of the Department's General Counsel.  This attorney serves as the administrative supervisor for all attorneys and support staff physically assigned to the District 7 office, including staff that may be working in the contracts and legislative practice group, the eminent domain practice group, and the administrative law practice group.  This attorney is responsible for providing day-to-day legal advice to the executive leadership of the District and oversees and coordinates the District's response to public records requests and citizen inquiries.

In coordination with the Deputy General Counsel, this attorney is responsible for providing legal counsel and advice to District staff concerning the negotiation, drafting, and review of contracts, funding agreements, joint project agreements, joint participation agreements, intergovernmental agreements, permits, and real estate interests.  This attorney is responsible for ensuring that the legal advice provided by the staff physically assigned to the District 7 office comports with the direction and advice provided on a statewide basis, as established by the General Counsel.  This attorney is responsible for providing input to the Deputy General Counsel on matters of statewide significance.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Ability to motivate, develop, and direct staff as they work, identifying the best people for the job; Knowledge of litigation and civil rules of procedure and practice. 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 work with internal and external customer in a tactful and courteous manner.  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.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.