SENIOR ATTORNEY - 42000986

Requisition No: 861978

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: SENIOR ATTORNEY - 42000986

Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 42000986

Salary: $65,000.00 - $100,000.00

Posting Closing Date: 07/13/2026

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

SENIOR ATTORNEY

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER

GENERAL COUNSEL’S OFFICE

***OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY***

This position's headquarters is negotiable within Gainesville, Florida and Tallahassee, Florida.

CONTACT:

Blair Bodenmiller, (850) 245-1000

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Admission to the Florida Bar and two (2) years of professional experience in the practice of law, legal research, teaching law or in administrative or judicial hearings.

***ATTENTION CANDIDATES***

To be considered for a position with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services:

• All fields in the Candidate Profile must be completed (an attached resume is not a substitution for the information required on the candidate profile).
• Work history, duties and responsibilities, hours worked, supervisor, and formal education fields, etc. must be filled out to determine qualifications for this position.
• Responses to Qualifying Questions must be verifiable in the Candidate Profile.
  
  

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services values
and supports employment of individuals with disabilities. Qualified
individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

NOTES:

To maintain fairness and integrity in our hiring process, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to answer qualifying questions or participate in interviews is strictly prohibited. Applicants must provide their own, authentic responses during all stages of the evaluation and recruitment process. Any candidate found using AI to assist in their answers will be disqualified from consideration.

Successful applicant must pass a background screening, including fingerprinting, as a condition of employment.

The Senior Attorney filling this position will represent and advise various programs within the Department, with a focus on the Division of Plant Industry and the Division of Animal Industry. The Division of Plant Industry works to detect, intercept, and control pests that threaten Florida’s native and commercially grown plants and agricultural resources. Relevant provisions of law include portions of ch. 369, 570, 581, 586, and 593, Florida Statutes. The Senior Attorney will also provide legal assistance to the Division of Animal Industry, which enforces animal health regulations in Florida and protects the state from animal pests and diseases. Relevant provisions of law include portions of ch. 534, 570, 585, and 828, Florida Statutes.

JOB DUTIES:

Under the Florida Constitution the Commissioner of Agriculture is responsible for all matters pertaining to agriculture except as otherwise provided by law. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, headed by the Commissioner of Agriculture, has a broad range of powers, functions and duties under various chapters of the Florida Statutes and, in carrying these out, has employed approximately 3500 employees assigned through several divisions and various offices. To assist and guide the Commissioner and the employees in carrying out their responsibilities, the Commissioner has assigned the department's legal work to a General Counsel, Deputy General Counsels, Senior Attorneys, Attorneys and appropriate support staff.

An employee fulfilling the duties of a Senior Attorney is performing the most responsible professional legal work, other than that performed by a General Counsel and a Deputy General Counsel, that can be accomplished by an attorney for a state agency. A high degree of independent, professional judgment, an intimate knowledge of the law, an ability and skill to handle complex litigation and all types of administrative actions as well as an ability to research and interpret complex provisions of the law as it relates to the powers, duties and functions of an agency are required of a Senior Attorney. A Senior Attorney must be able to produce a high quality, professional work product in a timely, professional, and practical manner. A Senior Attorney must, also, have a high degree of professional skill in client relations with an ability to listen and communicate effectively, to keep others informed, to deal effectively with conflict and change, and to develop and maintain a professional and effective working relationship with all department employees and the public.

Renders requested legal advice and counsel to the Commissioner, the commissioner's staff, and other employees of the department.

Handles complex cases on all levels of trial and appellate courts in the state and federal system as well as administrative proceedings under the Florida Administrative Procedures Act. Agency cases generally involve enforcement actions, defense of rules and statutes, mandatory or prohibitory injunctions, and contract matters. Reports to the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel on the department's cases, their movement or resolution.

Handles contract matters, real estate proceedings, legal opinions and legal research. Conducts legal research of highly complex problems involved in the various functions of the department and the Commissioner's office. Prepares, reviews, and approves contracts, leases, deeds, or other legal instruments. Handles or counsels the handling of real estates closings regarding department property.

Attends staff meetings and renders requested legal advice and counsel to the Commissioner, and other department staff involved with implementing the statutory responsibilities of the Commissioner and the department. Stays abreast of litigation and court decisions which might affect statutes under which the department carries out its responsibilties.

Represents the Commissioner, the General Counsel's office, and the department in liaison with the Florida Attorney General and other state and federal agencies. Represents the Commissioner, the General Counsel's office, and the department at judicial and organized bar functions.

Attends meetings of various legislative committees considering proposed legislation of interest to the Commissioner and the department and drafts or supervises drafting of legislation of interest to the Commissioner and the department. Monitors proposed legislation for impact upon the Commissioner and the department, and advises the Commissioner, the General Counsel's office, and the department's staff.

Drafts rules and regulations, conducts conferences, workshops, and public hearings, and institutes and conducts rule adoption procedures. Monitors outside attorneys retained to represent the Commissioner and the department in litigation. Performs other related duties as required.

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 visit www.myfrs.com;)
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;
• And more!
  
  

For a complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

For an estimate of the total compensation package for this position, please visit the “Total Compensation Estimator Tool” located above under the “Posting Closing Date.”

SPECIAL NOTES:

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.