Requisition No: 805037
Agency: Management Services
Working Title: SPECIAL LITIGATION COUNSEL
Position Number: 72004567
Salary: Up to $85,000.00
Posting Closing Date: 07/12/2023
Special Litigation Counsel
Office of General Counsel
State of Florida Department of Management Services
This position is located in Tallahassee, FL
Our Organization and Mission:
The Department of Management Services (DMS) is a customer-oriented agency responsible for managing the various business and workforce-related functions of state government. Under the direction of Governor Ron DeSantis and DMS’ Executive Leadership Team, the agency oversees the real estate, procurement, human resources, group insurance, retirement, technology, telecommunications, fleet, and federal property assistance programs utilized throughout Florida’s state government. It is against this backdrop that DMS strives to demonstrate its mission, “We serve those who serve Florida.” Under the leadership of DMS Secretary Pedro Allende, DMS’ employees embody four pillars on a daily basis: lead by example, serve with excellence, create efficiencies, and challenge the status quo.
The Work You Will Do:
Contingent on budget approval, beginning July 1, this is a newly created senior counsel position in the litigation section, which supports the litigation needs of various program areas. This attorney will handle unique cases for the agency that are outside the normal scope of the litigation already handled by attorneys for the Division of Retirement and Division of State Group Insurance. This includes litigation for the Florida Digital Service and Division of State Purchasing. This attorney will have the opportunity to develop a proficiency in the state laws affecting these program areas.
This position may also have the opportunity to serve as an agency informal hearing officer.
How You Will Grow:
This position provides the opportunity to develop an expertise in the state laws affecting the assigned program areas, as well as the regulatory authorities associated with such. This attorney will also have the opportunity to assist the program areas in reviewing and refining work processes to ensure they continue to be operated in a legal, and highly ethical, manner.
The Office of General Counsel also supports attorney development by providing Continuing Legal Education opportunities and allowing its attorneys to gain exposure to other areas of the law that the office assists with by promoting collaboration and cross-training in these highly specialized areas (e.g., real estate, employment and labor relations, information technology, and health care). Ultimately, this position will allow the right candidate the opportunity to grow professionally while working alongside a team of talented and professional attorneys in a collegial atmosphere.
The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:
Work-Life Balance: DMS does not have a billable hour requirement for its attorneys and encourages employees to maintain a healthy work-life balance. On day one, and then on each annual anniversary date, the attorney will receive 176 hours of discretionary leave and 104 hours of sick leave.
Health Insurance: State of Florida employees enjoy top-tier benefits offerings including comprehensive health coverage to meet the needs of you and your family while maintaining low deductibles and low monthly out-of-pocket contributions totaling only $8.00 per month for individual coverage and $30.00 per month for family coverage.
Retirement Options: State employees enjoy the option of selecting between the FRS Pension Plan and the FRS Investment Plan for retirement.
Continuing Education: As an additional benefit, state employment affords you the opportunity to take part in the tuition waiver program within the state university and community college systems.
For a more complete list of benefits, visit https://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com/.
Pay Range:
Up to $85,000, commensurate with experience.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of laws, rules, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, and agency policies and procedures or ability to thoroughly research such.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work independently.
- Ability to work as part of a team.
- Ability to collect, evaluate, and analyze data.
- Ability to plan, organize, coordinate, and timely complete work assignments.
- Ability to use logic and analysis to identify the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
- Basic proficiency in office information technology.
Minimum Qualifications:
- A juris doctor from an accredited law school.
- At least one year of experience as a licensed attorney.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with rulemaking.
- Experience with bill analyses.
- Experience with Florida’s Sunshine Law.
- Experience with civil and/or administrative litigation.
Special Notes:
DMS is committed to successfully recruiting and onboarding talented and skilled individuals into its workforce. We recognize the extensive training, experience and transferrable skills that veterans and individuals with disabilities bring to the workforce. Veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact our recruiter for guidance and answers to questions through the following provided email addresses:
DMS.Ability@dms.myflorida.com
DMS.Veterans@dms.myflorida.com
An individual with a disability is qualified if he or she satisfies the skills, experience, and other job related requirements for a position and can perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must contact the DMS Human Resources (HR) Office at (850) 488-2707. DMS requests applicants notify HR in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.
Successful completion of background screening will be required for this position.
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.