Requisition No: 827364 

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: SENIOR ATTORNEY - 64085575

 Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 64085575 

Salary: $89,999.00 Annually 

Posting Closing Date: 04/25/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

PROSECUTION SERVICES UNIT

EMERGENCY ACTION UNIT

Open Competitive Opportunity

Anticipated Vacancy 

(Requestion may be used to fill additional vacancies.)

The Prosecution Services Unit (PSU) is the legal enforcement arm of the Division of Medical Quality Assurance. Senior attorneys in the Emergency Action Unit (EAU) evaluate investigative reports to determine whether a licensee’s continued unrestricted practice constitutes an immediate, serious danger, draft emergency orders, make probable cause recommendations, and litigate cases where probable cause has been found to final resolution.

Your Specific Responsibilities:

This is a fast-paced position that works independently within a small team to prosecute violations of state law and administrative rules by licensees of the healthcare professions regulated by the Division of Medical Quality Assurance, pursuant to chapters 120 and 456, Florida Statutes. This team handles cases of great public importance and has a direct impact on patient safety in the state of Florida. This team is responsible for taking emergency action against licensees who are found to be an immediate, serious, danger to the public. In this position you will:

• Triage and review priority case files to determine whether the licensee’s continued unrestricted practice constitutes an immediate, serious danger to the public health, safety and welfare.
• Collaborate with Department of Health investigators, law enforcement, and other regulatory agencies.
• Expediently draft Emergency Orders restricting or suspending licensees’ ability to practice in the state of Florida.
• Present administrative complaints to probable cause panels of the healthcare licensing boards.
• Represent the Department before the Division of Administrative Hearings and in circuit court. 
• Provide timely and professional representation in all aspects of litigation, including trial preparation, motion practice, conducting discovery, presenting cases at hearing or trial, examining and cross-examining witnesses, and preparing post-hearing pleadings. 
• Evaluate and prioritize case inventories by utilizing Department reports to timely resolve pending cases in accordance with statutory requirements.
• Timely respond to public records requests, inquiries from counsel, requests pursuant to chapter 456, and from other agencies regarding current cases.

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctorate from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association
• Membership in the Florida Bar
• One year minimum experience.

Where You Will Work:

2585 Merchants Row Blvd.

Tallahassee, Florida 32311

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.

Florida Department of Health Mission, Vision, and Values:

Mission:

To protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county & community efforts.

Vision:

To be the Healthiest State in the Nation.

Values:

I nnovation: We search for creative solutions and manage resources wisely.

C ollaboration: We use teamwork to achieve common goals & solve problems.

A ccountability: We perform with integrity & respect.

R esponsiveness: We achieve our mission by serving our customers & engaging our partners.

E xcellence: We promote quality outcomes through learning & continuous performance improvement.

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.

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.