CHIEF LEGAL COUNSEL

Requisition No: 865308  Agency: Florida Commission on Human Relations Working Title: CHIEF LEGAL COUNSEL - 72002715 Position Number: 72002715  Salary:  $78,000.00 - $88,000.00  Posting Closing Date: 01/31/2026  Total Compensation Estimator ToolFlorida Commission on Human RelationsChief Legal CounselOpen CompetitiveSelect Exempt Service Our Organization and Mission: 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 bases of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, marital status or familial status. The Commission investigates complaints of discrimination in the 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. The Work You Will Do:This is a highly professional legal and managerial position with the responsibility for advanced legal and administrative services to the Florida Commission on Human Relations, reporting directly to the Executive Director. The Chief Legal Counsel provides legal advice and assistance to the Executive Director, Commissioners, the Commission's program areas, human resources, and employees to facilitate the transaction of the Commission's official business. The Difference You Will Make:The Chief Legal Counsel plays a critical role in advancing the mission of the Florida Commission on Human Relations to promote equal opportunity and eliminate unlawful discrimination throughout the state. By ensuring that the Commission’s actions, policies, and decisions comply with state and federal law, this position safeguards the integrity and accountability of the agency. The Chief Legal Counsel provides expert legal guidance, ethical leadership, and strategic counsel, to help protect the rights of Florida’s citizens and strengthen public confidence in the Commission.How You Will Grow:The Florida Commission on Human Relations is committed to cultivating professional growth, leadership development, and continuous learning for its employees. Training and development opportunities are designed to enhance expertise and support long-term career advancement in public service.Where You Will Work:4075 Esplanade Way, Room 110, Tallahassee, FL 32399This position is eligible for telework; however, the applicant must reside within a 60-mile radius of Tallahassee.Pay:$78,000.00 - $88,000.00Your Specific Responsibilities:Provides or supervises the provision of legal representation for the Commission in all administrative hearings, civil trials, and appellate proceedings. This position is responsible for all preparations such as pre-hearing conferences, pleading preparation, discovery preparation, witness preparation, final orders, and appearances at hearings or trials. Additionally, this position may represent the agency in personnel-related litigation.  This involves reviewing personnel-related documents for legal sufficiency and compliance with administrative rules and regulations. Representation of the agency may be in various venues, such as the Division of Administrative Hearings or the Public Employees Relations Commission, and in grievance, arbitration, and pre-determination hearings. This position also organizes, monitors, and oversees the agency’s quasi-judicial proceedings ensuring the timely preparation of agency final orders.  Provides legal opinions to the leadership team and advises personnel regarding statutory duties and functions of the Commission. Assists the Commission's leadership team with the Commission's legislative activities.Provides legal counsel, including interpretation and application of state and federal laws, and the review and drafting of documents relevant to the administration of the Commission’s functions, including policies and procedures, employee discipline, employment litigation, investigative processes, and administrative proceedings.Supervises legal and administrative staff to ensure that all legal activities are implemented and is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the legal unit.Confers with office personnel on varied legal matters and on ramifications of office regulations and procedures, proposed activities, proposed and existing legislation, and case law. Assists, provides opinions, and collaborates with enforcement managers during the investigative process. Reviews investigative memoranda and case files. Determines legal sufficiency of investigations and makes recommendations regarding reasonable cause determinations. Provides opinions and advice regarding jurisdiction and sufficiency of claims. Reviews recommended intake closures. Drafts notices of right to amend and dismissals where the Commission lacks jurisdiction. Drafts determinations and notices for the Executive Director. Serves as the Commission’s Chief Ethics Officer. The Chief Ethics Officer is responsible for ensuring all employees adhere to the Governor's revised Code of Ethics and the Commission’s Code of Ethics. All employees are bound to observe, in all their official acts, the highest standards of ethics consistent with these Codes, and with the statutory code as set forth in Chapter 112, Part III, Florida Statutes. The Chief Legal Counsel reviews, researches, and responds to all inquiries regarding ethical issues and considerations.Reviews and renders opinions on public records requests. Works with agency personnel to coordinate the release of public information.  Supervises the development and preparation of proposed rules for adoption. Makes recommendations for rule changes to the Executive Director. Fields and responds to inquiries from agency representatives, attorneys, parties to claims, and the public regarding agency procedures and various legal matters.Supports and assists in the preparation of training programs for the Commission and conducts training internally and externally, as necessary. Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:Knowledge of Florida Statutes, Florida Administrative Code, the Florida Administrative Procedures Act, and federal laws, rules, and regulations. Ability to be solutions-oriented with the capacity to use critical thinking, judgment, and discretion to make sound decisions and effective recommendations. Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.Ability to provide guidance, coaching, and support to subordinates to encourage effective collaboration and growth.     Ability to effectively manage a busy workload, be productive in an environment with regular interruptions, and meet designated deadlines without compromising attention to detail or customer service.  Strong independent decision-making skills and work ethic; ability to move things forward without prompting, approaching work with a sense of commitment, urgency, flexibility, and personal accountability.    Proven ability to analyze and organize facts, evidence, and precedents in difficult and complex cases and present such material in a clear and logical form for oral and/or written presentations.  Ability to research and interpret complex provisions of law as it relates to powers, duties, and functions of the Commission.  Knowledge of applicable computer applications and basic computer functions.Possess excellent active listening skills and an ability to convey information so that it is clearly understandable.  Value for customer service and the importance of responsiveness and timely follow-through.Ability to portray a positive, respectful, and professional image to all, regardless of situation or communication method.   Qualifications:Minimum:Admission to The Florida Bar and a member in good standing.Extensive experience in the practice of law, with at least five years of professional experience as a licensed attorney in state government or administrative law.  Proficiency in civil, appellate, and administrative litigation. Three (3) years of supervisory experience overseeing attorneys and support personnel.Excellent writing and communication skills.  Demonstrated success in strategically managing a diverse legal workload. Preferred:A degree in business administration, public administration, or business management.Experience in employment discrimination law and/or housing discrimination law.Experience with ethics compliance issues.Experience with Florida’s public records law.Experience with Florida rulemaking.At least one year of experience in labor law.  Education: Juris Doctor from an accredited law school is 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 click www.myfrs.com); Flexible Spending Accounts; Tuition waivers;And more For a more complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.General Information:The elements of the selection process may include a skill assessment and/oral interview.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 candidate profile, or you may not be considered for the position. An attached resume is not a substitution for the information required on the candidate profile. 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 Service 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 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. VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.