Requisition No: 831537 

Agency: Management Services

Working Title: SENIOR ATTORNEY - 72003824

 Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 72003824 

Salary: $82,399 - $114,328 

Posting Closing Date: 07/22/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Senior Attorney
Office of the General Counsel
State of Florida Department of Management Services
This position is located in Tallahassee, FL

The Work You Will Do:

DMS is seeking a senior-level attorney for its transactional practice area. Though the current vacancy is a high-level position reporting directly to a Deputy General Counsel, the salary range is reflective of DMS’s willingness to consider a range of experience and to offer a position to the candidate who fits best into its current team – which is comprised of varying levels of experience itself.

Your work will include researching and interpreting the statutory laws, codes, administrative rules and regulations, and court decisions related to specific legal matters, including in the areas of public procurement and contracting. You will assist in the contract and procurement process by reviewing contracts and procurements to ensure legal sufficiency and compliance. You will also draft proposed legislation and administrative rules intended to carry out the policies and statutory functions of DMS. You may handle litigation for the program areas, as assigned, and may serve as an agency informal hearing officer. In addition, you will work on special projects as assigned by the General Counsel, Deputy General Counsels, and/or Executive-Level Management.

How You Will Grow:

This position provides the opportunity to develop expertise in procuring and negotiating contracts with some of the world’s largest vendors, all while providing strategic legal advice to the diverse DMS program areas. The program areas that this position supports work in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment, allowing the attorney ongoing exposure to new subject matters and the unique opportunity to assist with structuring and implementing new programs in compliance with both Florida and federal law.

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, 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.

Where You Will Work:

Tallahassee, Florida’s Capital City, lined with rolling hills, oak trees, and canopied roads combines old world charm with a modern pace of life. Home to two major universities as well as state government, Tallahassee is a mid-sized city in the heart of Florida’s Big Bend. Boasting proximity to the coast and centrally located to popular tourist destinations. Also, with no State income tax, Florida is a great place to work regardless of where you find yourself on the career ladder.

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:

$82,399 - $114,328

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to work independently and coordinate the work activities of reporting attorneys.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• 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.
• Knowledge of laws, rules, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, and agency policies and procedures or ability to thoroughly research such.

Minimum Qualifications: 

• A Juris Doctor from an accredited law school.
• Admission to, and good standing with, The Florida Bar.
• At least one (1) year of experience as a licensed attorney
  • Note: To be considered for the highest end of the salary range, at least three (3) years of experience as a licensed attorney is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with chapter 287, Florida Statutes, competitive procurements.
  • Note: To be considered for the highest end of the salary range, at least two (2) years of experience is required.
• Experience with rulemaking. 
• Experience with bill analyses. 

Our Organization and Mission:
Under the direction of Governor Ron DeSantis, Secretary Pedro Allende and DMS’ Executive Leadership Team, the Florida Department of Management Services (DMS) is a customer-oriented agency with a broad portfolio that includes the efficient use and management of real estate, procurement, human resources, group insurance, retirement, telecommunications, fleet, and federal property assistance programs used throughout Florida’s state government. It is against this backdrop that DMS strives to demonstrate its motto, “We serve those who serve Florida.”

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.fl.gov
DMS.Veterans@dms.fl.gov
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.