SENIOR ATTORNEY

Requisition No: 886489

Agency: Department of Corrections

Working Title: SENIOR ATTORNEY

Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 70047266

Salary: $75,128.04- $92,400.10 Annually

Posting Closing Date: 11/11/2026

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FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

We Never Walk Alone

ADVERTISING TITLE: SENIOR ATTORNEY

This open competitive advertisement is for SES (Selected Exempt Service) position located at Central Office in the Office of General Counsel.

The purpose of this position is to provide comprehensive legal advice, assistance, and representation to the Department and its officials on a wide range of issues involving employees, inmates, probationers, parolees, and the public, including handling sensitive, complex, and routine legal matters, and ensuring compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and procedures.

This position is not a telework position and is required to report to the FDC office in the area it serves.

JOB DUTIES:

- Serving as legal advisor to Department administrators, particularly in the areas of legislation, ethics, and inmate library services.

- Providing legal guidance to the Office of Legislative Affairs as OGC point-of-contact for legislative matters.

- Reviewing, analyzing, and drafting proposed legislation.

- Working closely with the agency rulemaking attorney to implement statutory changes.

- Responding to questions and concerns from legislators, stakeholders, and the Executive Office of the Governor regarding proposed legislation and legislative implementation.

- Attending committee meetings and advocating for proposed agency legislation as needed.

- Reviewing employment and campaign requests and drafting ethics opinions under Chapter 112, Florida Statutes.

- Providing legal guidance to the Bureau of Education related to prison libraries, inmate access to court, and impoundment of incoming publications.

- Reviewing agency policies and procedures.

- Responding to verbal, telephonic, and written requests from agency staff for legal assistance.

- Conducting legal research and rendering legal opinions concerning the application of state and federal statutes and administrative rules.

- Reviewing written materials for legal sufficiency.

- Advising on institutional security and prison operations, representing the Department in inmate mental health hearings, and performing other tasks as assigned.

- This position handles cases and other legal assignments that are sensitive and/or complex in nature as well as those which are routine and/or less complex, and performs administrative matters and other related duties, as required by the General Counsel.

BENEFITS:

- Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

- Comprehensive health insurance and life insurance with accidental death and dismemberment benefits.

- Supplemental Dental, Vision, Life, Disability and Hospitalization insurance.

- Tuition-Free college courses.

- Retirement Plans with the Florida Retirement System:

- Pension Plan (Traditional Retirement Pension Plan)

- Investment Plan (401(K)-Type Retirement Plan)

- Deferred Retirement Option Program (Drop)

- Deferred Compensation

- Recently Retired? Beginning July 1, 2024, there is no longer a reemployment limitation; beginning with the 7th calendar month from the member's distribution date, there are no restrictions on working for an FRS employer. You will not be required to repay any prior distributions, and you may continue receiving distributions from the Investment Plan or Pension Plan without interruption.

REQUIREMENTS:

Please note, when submitting a college/university degree, if selected for this position official transcripts will be required.

- Must be a member of the Florida Bar in good standing.

Preferred:

- Support of KSAs should be demonstrated on the application through education, through work experience, in a writing sample, in the interview, and/or during reference checks.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

- Preference will be given to those with knowledge of Florida’s legislative process, administrative law, health care law, constitutional law, civil litigation, criminal sentencing, and/or open government law.

- Knowledge of legal terminology.

- Knowledge of the principles and practices of jurisprudence.

- Knowledge of Florida laws and legal procedure.

- Knowledge of civil law and rules of procedure.

- Knowledge of court proceedings.

- Knowledge of Chapter 941-949 Florida Statutes.

- Skill in writing and research.

- Ability to communicate effectively.

- Ability to research, summarize and provide advice on disparate legal issues as needs dictate.

- Ability to clearly explain the facts of a case and the legal issues involved.

- Strong work ethic; willingness to learn, positive attitude, and ability to work in a collaborative work environment.

- Ability to provide legal counsel.

- Support of KSAs should be demonstrated on the application through education, through work experience, in a writing sample, in the interview, and/or during reference checks.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

BACKGROUND SCREENING REQUIREMENT

The Florida Department of Corrections requires all job applicants and volunteers to pass a Level 2 background check as per Chapter 435, Florida Statutes. This check must be completed before they can start working or volunteering.

EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY

The Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) only hires U.S. citizens and those authorized to work in the U.S. FDC uses E-Verify to confirm an employee’s eligibility to work after completing the I-9 form.

The Florida Department of Corrections does not currently support H-1B Visa Sponsorship.

For online application issues, call the People First Service Center at 1-877-562-7287. Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM EST on the closing date.

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.