SENIOR ATTORNEY - 64003921

Requisition No: 868441 

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: SENIOR ATTORNEY - 64003921

 Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 64003921 

Salary:  $85,000.00 - $95,310.00 

Posting Closing Date: 02/05/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Open Competitive Opportunity

Specific Responsibilities:

This is a Senior Attorney position (located in Palm Beach County) providing legal services to the Florida Department of Health, for Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie and Okeechobee counties. This position legally supports all Department programs by providing legal advice, conducting legal research, and ensuring program compliance with local, state, and federal laws. Investigates legal issues affecting patient care and rights, staff employee relations, environmental health issues, regulatory/enforcement issues, contracts with providers, and agreements with community organizations, among others. This position has extensive knowledge of state statutes, federal regulations, administrative rules, evidentiary rules, rules of civil procedure and local ordinances.  Work is performed under the supervision of the Chief Legal Counsel.  This position requires independent judgment, initiative, applying general knowledge of business practices and skill in applying instructions to accomplish various job functions.

This position is designated as a sensitive position and is required to maintain confidential information in accordance with state and federal laws and the Florida Department of Health’s (FDOH) Information Security Policy, Protocols and Procedures.  

Performs assigned legal activities for Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie and Okeechobee counties at the direction of the Chief Legal Counsel.

Reviews all requests for legal action and determines if they are legally valid to be heard before Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH), the Environmental Control Hearing Board, Environmental Appeals Board, the Child Care Advisory Council, and Circuit Court.  Prior to the hearings, the Attorney will conduct witness briefings with the staff to review the cases and testimony.

In Palm Beach County, this position will enforce and prosecute violations of all regulated facilities through the Department’s Environmental Health Program and pursuant to the Florida Statutes, Florida Administrative Code, Environmental Control Special Act, the Child Care Special Act, and the County Environmental Control Rules I and II. Reviews Consent Orders for four Department of Environmental Protection delegated programs.

Reviews, revises and approves all contracts, memorandum of agreements, grants, and competitive procurements.

Supports HR and Management by advising and representing the Agency in personnel matters including, but not limited to, employee discipline, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), and the Public Employee Relations Commission (PERC).

Handles all HIPAA and confidentiality issues

Reviews all child care licensing applications monthly.

Provides employees and management with responses to ethics inquiries.

Litigates TB commitment hearings in Circuit Court.

At Chief Legal Counsel’s request, reviews and evaluates risk management matters and acts as liaison to the Division of Risk Management in Tallahassee.

Prepares legal opinions and appellate briefs for appeals.

Provides legal counsel to staff on all matters involving release of confidential information, subpoenas, search warrants, preparation of depositions, trial testimony, and represents staff on official department business in a wide variety of court/administrative proceedings.

Provides legal advice and support for all disease outbreaks.

Performs travel to the above-named counties, for litigation, interviews, investigations, training, and other duties as necessary.  Attends meetings, seminars, and workshops related to the Department.

Acts as backup to the Chief Legal Counsel in their absence for all legal matters for Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie and Okeechobee counties including but not limited to, personnel, communicable diseases, confidentiality, ethics and family health services issues.  Provides legal guidance and counseling to ensure compliance with applicable laws.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of all applicable laws, rules and regulations.

Qualifications:

Licensure/registration/certification requirements(If applicable, list the appropriate Florida Statute or federal regulation cite): 

• Florida Bar License.

Other job-related requirements for this position:

• Incumbent may be required to work before, during and/or beyond normal work hours or days in the event of an emergency.  Emergency duty required of the incumbent includes working in special needs shelters, or performing other emergency duties including, but not limited to, responses to or threats involving any disaster or threat of disaster, man-made or natural.
• A Valid Driver’s License

Working hours: (A) Daily from 8:00AM to 5:00PM   (B) Total hours in workweek 40.   (C) Explain any variation in work (split shift, rotation, etc.): This is a full-time, in-office position.

Florida Department of Health Mission, Vision, and Values: 

Mission:

To protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county & community efforts.

Vision:

To be the Healthiest State in the Nation.

Values:

I  nnovation: We search for creative solutions and manage resources wisely.

C ollaboration: We use teamwork to achieve common goals & solve problems.

A ccountability: We perform with integrity & respect.

R esponsiveness: We achieve our mission by serving our customers & engaging our partners.

E xcellence: We promote quality outcomes through learning & continuous performance improvement.

Where You Will Work:

800 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach, FL 33401

The 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 set of employee benefits including:

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year;
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options;
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions

(For more information, please click www.myfrs.com);

• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;
• And more!

For a more complete list of benefits, including monthly costs, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

Please be advised:

Your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process.  

This position requires a security background check and/or drug screening and participation in direct deposit. Any misrepresentations or omissions will disqualify you from employment consideration. Note: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) in order to conduct this background check. Successful completion of a drug test is a condition of employment for safety-sensitive positions.

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 

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 canceled, suspended or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement. 

The successful candidate will be required to complete the Form I-9 and that information will be verified using the E-Verify system.  E-Verify is operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration to verify employment eligibility.   

Incumbents may be required to perform emergency duty before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days.

All Florida Department of Health positions require the incumbent to be able to learn and communicate effectively, orally and in writing, in English. Applicants who do not meet this requirement will not be considered.  

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace. 

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-877-562-7287). 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. 

Florida has the third largest population of veterans in the nation with more than 1.5 million service men and women.  The Florida Department of Health (department) is committed to serving members of the United States Armed Forces, veterans and their families by encouraging them to apply for vacancies that fit their area of knowledge and/or expertise.  Through the Department's VALOR program, which expedites licensing for military veterans, the Department also waives initial licensing and application fees for military veterans who apply for a health care professional license within 60 months of an honorable discharge. These initiatives help ensure that the transition from military service into the workforce is as smooth as possible and reflects our appreciation for the dedication devoted to protecting our country.

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.