SENIOR ATTORNEY - 65000530

Requisition No: 885022

Agency: Elder Affairs

Working Title: SENIOR ATTORNEY - 65000530

Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 65000530

Salary: $5,001.26-$7,791.67 MONTHLY

Posting Closing Date: 10/20/2026

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DEPARTMENT OF ELDER AFFAIRS

OFFICE OF PUBLIC AND PROFESSIONAL GUARDIANS

ANTICIPATED VACANCY

*****OPEN COMPETITIVE*****

POSITION OVERVIEW AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

This is a highly responsible Senior Attorney position reporting directly to the Statewide Public Guardianship Program Director (Executive Director), in the Department of Elder Affairs’ Office of Public and Professional Guardians (OPPG). The individual filling this position provides legal representation to the Department under the direction of the Executive Director of OPPG and is responsible for all legal matters of the Department relating to guardianship and the duties and responsibilities of OPPG.

This position is not a teleworking position, and the incumbent is required to report to the DOEA office in the area it serves.

PAY:

Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications, ranging from $60,015.16 to $93,500.04, annually.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Regulation and Enforcement of Chapter 744, Florida Statutes, as to Professional Guardians. Represents the Department and the OPPG in performing all legal work in the regulation and enforcement of the provisions of Chapter 744 applicable to Professional Guardians.

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. 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.

Department’s Guardianship Investigators . Assists in coordinating OPPG legal activities with the Guardianship Investigators. Develops, implements, maintains, and keeps a current tracking system on legal sufficiency of complaints, close out letters, the Department’s enforcement actions, and closed files. Consults with the Executive Director of OPPG, the Secretary, and the Office of the General Counsel on appropriate actions to be taken on enforcement and prosecutions. Coordinates with the Guardianship Investigators and the OPPG staff to have all legal documents and actions maintained and available for the handling of all investigations and cases.

Determinations of Legal Sufficiency of Complaints . Consults with and coordinates the determination of initial legal sufficiency of complaints with the Executive Director of OPPG.

Training curriculum and registration testing . Provides legal assistance to the Executive Director of OPPG as requested in developing and keeping current, relevant, and consistent with Florida statutes all necessary training curriculum and guardianship testing.

Public Guardians . In consultation with the Executive Director of OPPG and the Secretary, is responsible for providing legal assistance to OPPG in addressing any legal inquiries from the Public Guardians, any necessary litigation, and any other matters as they may arise.

Rulemaking . In consultation with the Office of the General Counsel and assigned attorneys in the General Counsel’s office handling rulemaking, drafts and reviews proposed administrative rules regarding public and professional guardians for both substantive and technical legality. Participate in rule development, rule workshops and rule hearings. Responsible for moving proposed rules relating to public and professional guardians through the statutory rulemaking process. Counsels, assists and guides Department staff on all aspects of rulemaking with the Bureau of Administrative Code, Office of Fiscal Accountability and Regulatory Reform (OFFAR), and the Joint Administrative Procedures Committee (JAPC).

Contract Review, Drafting and Procurement. For the OPPG, reviews contracts and contract amendments. Responsible for all legal issues related to contract procurement for the OPPG.

Legislation. For the OPPG, develops, drafts, reviews, monitors, and implements proposed legislation; prepares bill analyses; and reviews existing statutes for proposing 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 litigation and court decisions which might affect statutes and rules under which the OPPG and the Department carries out its responsibilities. Reviews and interprets statutes, regulations, rules, and operating procedures as necessary.

Legal Instruments . Prepares, reviews, or approves contracts, leases and other legal instruments as appropriate and necessary for the OPPG and the Department

Public Records . Handles or assists in the handling of public records requests for OPPG. Redact OPPG documents as necessary and appropriate.

Agency Clerk . Serves as or assists the Department’s Agency Clerk in the processing of administrative complaints, hearing requests, recommended orders, final orders, and appeals for the OPPG.

Background screening and Exemption cases . For the OPPG, assists the attorney handling background screening issues for the Department.

HIPAA . Handles legal inquiries regarding HIPAA and its applications to the OPPG.

Counsel and Advice . Assists the Executive Director of OPPG in providing legal counsel and advice to the Secretary, OPPG staff, and other administrative / managerial employees on complex legal issues relating to the Department’s programs and activities 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. Provides preventative legal advice to the Department and the OPPG to avoid or mitigate the impact of litigation against the Department or the OPPG. Attends executive management and staff meetings and renders requested legal advice and counsel. Responds to oral and written requests from Department personnel as directed by the Executive Director of OPPG. Consistent with the responsibilities and duties of prior OPPG attorneys, provide legal representation to the office in assistance with the IT needs of OPPG itself.

Performs other duties as assigned by the Executive Director of OPPG .

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

The candidate must have knowledge of 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.

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 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/.

OUR ORGANIZATION AND MISSION:

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.

SPECIAL NOTE:

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.

BACKGROUND CHECKS:

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.

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.