Chief Legal Counsel - 64067613

Requisition No: 821726 

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: CHIEF LEGAL COUNSEL - 64067613

 Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 64067613 

Salary:  $103,765.00-$116,035.92 Annually 

Posting Closing Date: 02/11/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

This position is being advertised as an open competitive opportunity. 

DESCRIPTION:

The Florida Department of Health, Office of the General Counsel, is seeking an experienced attorney to serve as Chief Legal Counsel for its legal office in Duval County (services Baker, Clay, Duval, and Nassau Counties). This position practices public health and related administrative law, providing legal representation to a wide variety of public health programs, including communicable disease control, epidemiology, environmental health, chronic disease detection and treatment, public health preparedness and response, dental health, school health, family planning, nutrition, supplemental assistance for women, infants and children, and vital statistics, among others. The Chief Legal Counsel works closely with the Health Officer, Senior Leadership, and public health professionals, requiring the ability to review facts and applicable law and rules to provide quality legal advice and representation on the issues which emanate from the agency’s public health programs.

The Office of the General Counsel is an integrated law firm of attorneys and legal support professionals representing the State Health Office, Prosecution Services for Medical Quality Assurance, and County Health Departments through 12 legal offices around the state. Attorneys representing County Health Departments have a proactive, client-centered practice, providing quality representation with the ability to make an immediate impact on the public health of our communities and the people we serve. The Chief Legal Counsel is supported by a Legal Assistant and a Senior Attorney, with an office located within the Department of Health in Jacksonville. The Chief Legal Counsel reports to the Deputy General Counsel for County Health Departments and County Health Systems.

The successful applicant must be committed to providing the highest quality of legal services, committed to the mission, vision and values of the Department of Health, and have the ability to work collaboratively with medical and legal professionals to support extensive agency priorities and goals.

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE, AMONG OTHERS:

Overall -

• Directs, organizes, and conducts the Department's legal services. Advises the Health Officer, Senior Leadership, and public health professionals about legal, enforcement and policy decisions. This responsibility includes attending meetings as well as providing counsel and advice to staff concerning ramifications of potential and pending litigation, legislation, policy decision, court decision, and department legal opinion of statewide importance.
• Serves as LEGAL COUNSEL in all matters necessitating legal advice; represents county health department in administrative, civil, and appellate proceedings in the state and federal courts and administrative tribunals.

Public Health Programs -

• Provides representation, guidance, and support to the Environmental Health program in enforcing state rules and regulations; prepares documents for legal action, when necessary, to present to hearing officers, attorneys, and the courts. Reviews citations, prepares administrative complaints and represents the county health department in informal and formal hearings.
• Provides representation, guidance and support to the Primary Care and Communicable Disease programs; available for consultations and represents these programs in informal and formal hearings in administrative forums and in the courts.
• Provides representation to agency Emergency Preparedness and Incident Command functions and activities.
• Provides representation lo other specialized local delegated programs, such as specific program and/or enforcement activities, as delegated by law from another state agency or County government.

Administration -

• Provides guidance to support agency contracts and required procurements; reviews all contracts, grants, settlement agreements and designated purchase orders; supports the monitoring of contracts and memorandums of agreements for partnerships and/or relationships with other organizations.
• Prepares written legal opinions involving interpretations of state and federal statutes, codes, rules and court decisions.
• Provides varied legal research; reviews Department of Health policies, procedures, regulations and projects to ensure compliance with local, state and federal code/rules.
• Provides legal training to staff on Department of Health and county health department operations and specialized legal subjects.
• Provides collegial consultancy with other Department of Health and state agency attorneys; acts as liaison with courts, state attorneys, public defenders, legal services programs, and other stakeholders within the legal community.

Human Resources -

• Supports Human Resources administration by advising personnel officers, managers, and leadership in personnel matters, including the Fair Labor Standards Act, Equal Opportunity, employee discipline, grievances, and the administration of collective bargaining agreement.
• Serves as local Ethics Officer, advising on issues of compliance with Chapter 112, Florida Statutes, and all controlling agency ethics policies,
• Supports investigations by the agency's Inspector General's Office and EEO Office.

Information Security -

• Advised employees in relation to legal interpretation and court activities, such as review of all matters involving release of confidential information, subpoenas, preparation of depositions and trial testimony, and representing employees in their official capacity in administrative and judicial proceedings.
• Serves as information custodian for the legal office.

Risk Management -

• Acts as liaison with the Division of Risk Management and private attorneys assigned by Risk Management to handle damage claims against the State of Florida evolving from Department activities. Coordinates discovery and monitors litigation handled by Risk Management. Monitors post judgment compliance.
• Provides consultation and advice to staff on legal questions concerning county health department administration and operations, ramifications of potential and pending litigation, legislation, policy decisions, court decisions, and department legal opinions of statewide impact.
• Performs research required for legislative action. Makes recommendations to the Office of the General Counsel, Directors and Administrators on legislative changes or policy changes conducive to enhancing agency services/operations/efficiency, reducing potential liability, and minimizing litigation.

Other Duties -

• Prepares annual goals and objectives for the provision of legal services, in agreement with the Department's represented entities and the Department's Deputy General Counsel.
• Ensures utilization of the Office of the General Counsel case management system for all legal matters and produces information and reports to the Office of the General Counsel and Health Officer upon request.
• Supervises designated professional support positions within the legal office.
• Serves as an informal Hearing Officer, pursuant to Chapter 120, Florida Statutes, upon appointment by the General Counsel and/or Agency Clerk.
• Serves as a participant on Office of the General Counsel attorney workgroups, as requested.
• Performs other duties, as assigned, by the Deputy General Counsel and/or General Counsel.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The position requires membership in good standing with the Florida Bar. A minimum of five (5) years of experience in the practice of law is preferred.

ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION:

The Florida Department of Health’s mission is to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts. The Florida Department of Health is Florida’s public health agency, and develops policies and plans that support health goals, enforce laws and regulations that protect the health of all residents and visitors, and link people to needed health care services.

CONTACT:

Any questions about this position may be directed to Matthew M. DeLeo, Deputy General Counsel, Office of the General Counsel, at (850) 404-6256 or (850) 245-4005.

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.

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.