DEPUTY GENERAL COUNSEL-FWC - 77071721

Introduction

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is seeking a Deputy General Counsel. The FWC envisions a Florida where fish and wildlife are abundant and thriving in healthy and connected natural landscapes with vital working lands and waterways; where natural resources are valued and safely enjoyed by all; and wherein natural systems support vibrant human communities and a strong economy.

Our Mission: Managing fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people. The values embedded in our mission and expressed in the vision of the FWC are to make quality decisions by being dynamic, science-informed, efficient, ethical, collaborative, and committed to the vitality of the state and its environment.

Office of General Counsel Overview

The Legal Office provides a wide range of legal services to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and staff. The experience gained at the Commission is broad and diverse, and the issues our attorneys could anticipate working on can include: hunting and fishing rulemaking and enforcement, endangered and threatened species protection, public land management, captive wildlife regulation, recreational and commercial permitting, procurement, grants, human resources, and litigation related to any of these areas.

Requirements

Juris Doctorate is required. Membership with the Florida Bar. Six years of experience.

• Juris Doctorate is required.
• Membership with the Florida Bar.
• Six years of experience.

Description of Duties

The Deputy General Counsel is responsible for providing representation for the Commission in judicial and administrative tribunals of Florida and supervises in-house attorneys in providing such representation.

• Responsible for coordinating rulemaking for legal sufficiency, assisting in rule development, is responsible for filing rulemaking notices, and for filing rules for adoption.
• Responsible for reviewing programs and transactions of the agency for legal sufficiency, for providing legal opinions to the Executive Director and Division, Regional, and Office Directors.
• Responsible for preparing or reviewing agency contracts and other legal instruments, including but not limited to grant agreements, deeds, land leases or management agreements, memorandum of understanding and bid documents.
• Advises the Commission on all aspects of its executive and regulatory authority over wildlife, freshwater aquatic life and marine life and advises The Deputy General Counsel ensures that the Commission abides by Florida’s Government in the Sunshine law.
• Supervises in-house attorneys and support staff who assist in carrying out the responsibilities and duties described above.
• Assists the State Attorneys and their assistant attorneys in prosecuting criminal citations issued by the agency.
• Must be familiar with the laws governing public employees, relevant case law, and ethics opinions.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the General Counsel.

Preferred Experience and Training

• Three years of employment with a state agency of the State of Florida.
• Experience supervising or managing attorneys in a state agency legal office.
• Litigation experience before administrative tribunals or courts in the State of Florida.
• Experience in developing administrative rules and legislation.
• Experience working within a law enforcement agency.
• An understanding of Florida’s Government in Sunshine law and public meetings.
• Experience providing legal advice to commissions, boards, or other governmental bodies.

Benefits

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. State employees also enjoy the option of selecting between the FRS Pension Plan and the FRS Investment Plan for retirement.

Health Premiums $4.17- Single / $15.00- Family Biweekly. No Cost $25,000 Life Insurance. Nine Paid State Holidays, One Personal Holiday per year. 176 hours Annual Leave and 104 hours Sick Leave per year.

EEO Statement

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.