Requisition No: 827989 

Agency: Florida Commission on Human Relations

Working Title: SENIOR ATTORNEY - 72004079

 Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 72004079 

Salary: $61,740.64 

Posting Closing Date: 05/16/2024 

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Florida Commission on Human Relations

Legal Unit

Select Exempt Service

Pending Vacancy

“previous applicants do not need to re-apply”.

*This position is eligible for telework*

Senior Attorney

Position Number: 72004079

Hiring Rate: $61,740.64 

In order to successfully apply to this position, please include the following: current resume, cover letter, and writing sample (2-5 pages).

In order to be considered for a position, applicant responses to the qualifying questions, software systems, actual work experience, years of employment and hours worked per week must be clearly defined within your work history listed on the application, or the applicant may not be considered for the position.

About the Commission: 

The Florida Commission on Human Relations is the state agency charged with enforcing the state’s civil rights laws and serves as a resource on human relations for the people of Florida. It is against Florida law to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status or familial status. The Commission investigates complaints of discrimination in the areas of areas of employment, housing, public accommodations, and state employee whistle-blower retaliation.

The Commission is responsible for promoting fair treatment, equal opportunity, and mutual respect among members of all economic, social, racial, religious, and ethnic groups and works to eliminate discrimination against groups and their members.

What will I be doing?

This is work representing the Florida Commission on Human Relations in civil litigation, administrative, and other legal proceedings, preparing legal documents, conducting legal research, and providing advice on legal issues and transactions.

Determining whether statutory violations occurred in cases investigated by the agency. Reviewing investigative reports for legal sufficiency. Preparing Determinations and other legal documents for review and approval by the Deputy General Counsel, General Counsel, and/or Executive Director. Working with investigations managers to improve work product and revise investigative reports in accordance with legal criteria.

Reviewing case files and recommended orders from the Division of Administrative Hearings to draft proposed final orders for approval by commissioners.

Representing the agency in legals proceedings before the Division of Administrative Hearings, First District Court of Appeals and other forums, with close supervision.

Responding to inquiries from agency staff, parties to complaints and the general public regarding legal issues specific to employment discrimination, retaliation, public accommodations, whistle-blower retaliation, and fair housing.

Preparing and conducting legal training modules on a variety of subjects related to whistle-blower retaliation and discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations.

The successful candidate must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Knowledge of the rules of evidence, investigative techniques, court procedures and requirements.
• Ability to use deductive reasoning, communicate effectively, and make detailed verbal presentations.
• Ability to collect and analyze evidence, maintain strict confidentiality, and make independent decisions.
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments, analyze information and determine its validity, and conduct fact-finding interviews and take statements.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with others.

Can I be successful?
The ideal candidate for this position will have:

• Demonstrated excellence in research and writing;
• Working, or advanced, academic knowledge of Florida and Federal civil rights statutes, case law, and standards;

• Demonstrated experience litigating in administrative hearings or in court;
• Demonstrated experience handling employment discrimination, public accommodations, fair housing, and/or civil rights issues;
• Demonstrated experience drafting and editing complex documents;
• Demonstrated experience managing a large caseload;
• Demonstrated experience drafting proposed final orders; and
• Demonstrated experience in teaching/training.

Licensure, Certification or Registration Requirements

• Attorney in good standing with the Florida Bar and two years of professional experience in the practice of law, legal research, teaching law, or in administrative or judicial hearings.

General Information:
All positions with the Florida Commission on Human Relations are positions of special trust. Therefore, the selected candidate must successfully pass a level two background screening (which includes fingerprinting) as a condition of employment. Applicants being considered for employment will be required to submit to a fingerprint-based background investigation, which will include a check of the criminal history records of the FBI. 

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 on the date of your retirement.

The State is a major employer in Florida offering many challenging and rewarding careers. Included among the many advantages of working for the State are the diverse and interesting job opportunities as well as competitive salaries, benefits, and career mobility.

• State of Florida Retirement package – 3% employee contribution
• 10 paid holidays & personal holidays annually
• State Employees accrual of Annual Leave and Sick Leave
• Telework program
• Flexible work schedule
• Student Loan Forgiveness Program
• State Employee Tuition Waiver Program - Six credit hours per semester with the state college/university system
• FRS Pension Plan and FRS Investment Plan
• Deferred Compensation Plan for State Employees
• Adoptions Benefits for State Employees
• Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP)
• Health Insurance for Individual or Family Coverage–State pays 80% of premium
• Basic life insurance policy (100% employer paid)
• Life Insurance–State pays 80% of premium

• State Group Insurance–a variety of health insurance options, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, dental, vision and other supplemental insurance products.
• Tax Deferred Medical and Child Care Reimbursement Accounts available
• Tax Deferred Savings Program available through payroll deduction
• Employee Assistance Program

Making a Difference 

One of the benefits of working for the State of Florida is the opportunity to serve your local community through volunteering.

Learn about the volunteer programs the State encourages employees to participate in – from mentoring school children to volunteering in the community.

Learn about the 'Going Green' project and carpooling.

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.