Senior Attorney - 80000967 (848536)

Requisition No: 848536 

Agency: Juvenile Justice

Working Title: SENIOR ATTORNEY - 80000967

 Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 80000967 

Salary:  $2,475.97 

Posting Closing Date: 03/24/2025 

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The Department of Juvenile Justice salutes our heroes.

We are honored to have the opportunity to support our nation’s veterans and their families. 

We value the service given to our country and support the hiring of service members and military spouses.

LOCATION, CONTACT AND SALARY INFORMATION:

Location:  Knight Building, 2737 Centerview Drive, Suite 3200, Tallahassee, FL 32399-3100

Starting Salary:  $2,475.97 Bi-weekly.  (In accordance with current spending restrictions, an internal promotion into the position will be filled at the minimum of the pay grade or up to 5% of the employee’s current rate, whichever is higher.)

Contact Person:  Marie Riou, AAIII/Office Manager, 850-717-2446

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

This Senior Attorney will be part of a small Headquarters team of attorneys providing legal advice, services and representation to the Department.  This Senior Attorney will:

• Have primary responsibility for legal issues arising from the Department’s role in providing education to youth through the Florida Scholar’s Academy and the Florida Youth College.
• Provide advice in the preparation and review of contracts with educational providers.
• Assist Department staff in navigating statutes and rules governing education (e.g., Titles XLVII and XLIX, Florida Statutes), and assisting in the development of Department rules and policies in the education space.
• Be the primary attorney liaison with education partners at the state and local level, which includes the necessary development and review of interagency agreements and memoranda of understanding as required by statute.
• Assist and advise Department staff regarding compliance with state and federal requirements on confidentiality of education records (e.g., chapter 1002, Florida Statutes, and the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act).
• Be the primary contact for all legal questions involving compliance with the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.
• Serve as a backup to the Department litigation attorney, assisting outside counsel with discovery, legal research, reviewing dispositive motions, advising Department leadership at all stages, and assisting in settlement negotiations.
• Identify potential legal problems in the Department’s planning, operations and administration, proposing solutions for Department managers.  This includes participating in an agency consultant role to Department personnel and groups, reviewing documents, rules, manuals and proposed and existing legislation.
• On occasion be called upon to represent the Department in litigation in all forums.  These forums, include, but are not limited to: (a) career service, (b) state trial and appellate courts, (c) federal trial and appellate courts, and (d) state and federal administrative forums.  In the course of litigation, keep in close contact with Department personnel affected by the litigation.  Department personnel are informed of all major decision points and are copied with all pleadings and memoranda filed and received.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR THIS POSITION INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING REQUIRED ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Juris Doctorate (JD) is required.

Membership in the Florida Bar in good standing.

Minimum of 2 years of experience as a practicing attorney.

BENEFITS:

No weekend, overnight or on-call duty.

Full State of Florida benefits, see www.mybenefits.com.

SPECIAL NOTES:

Experience in education law is preferred, but not required.  Training will be provided.

All prospective candidates will be subject to a sex offender check, criminal background checks, (state, local and national) and pre-employment drug screening for direct care positions.

DJJ participates in E-Verify (Employment Eligibility).

When identified on a position description, a valid driver’s license is required. 

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.