Deputy General Counsel - 31001704

Requisition No: 843490 

Agency: Division of Emergency Management

Working Title: Deputy General Counsel - 31001704

 Pay Plan: SMS

Position Number: 31001704 

Salary:  $105,000.00 - $115,776.48 annually 

Posting Closing Date: 12/31/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Deputy General Counsel

Office of General Counsel

State of Florida Division of Emergency Management

This position is located in Tallahassee, FL

 

The Florida Division of Emergency Management plans for and responds to both natural and man-made disasters. These range from floods and hurricanes to incidents involving hazardous materials or nuclear power. The Division of Emergency Management (FDEM or Division) is the liaison between federal, state, and local agencies. FDEM prepares and implements a statewide Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, routinely conducts extensive exercises to test state and county emergency response capabilities, provides technical assistance to local governments as they prepare emergency plans and procedures, as well as conducts emergency operations trainings for state and local government agencies.

 

The Division serves as the lead agency for the State Emergency Response Team (SERT), whose primary goal is the coordination of the state’s efforts during disaster response and recovery. This coordination is conducted within the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in Tallahassee. Additionally, the Division manages the State Watch Office; the 24-hours a day operation tasked with providing situational awareness to stakeholders statewide. After a disaster, FDEM conducts damage assessment surveys and advises the Governor of the state of Florida on whether to declare an emergency and seek federal relief funds. It is against this backdrop that FDEM strives to demonstrate its mission of, “Coordinate, collaborate and communicate with our community stakeholders for a resilient Florida” along with our vision of, “Leading the Profession in building prepared and resilient communities”.

 

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

In support of and at the direction of the General Counsel, the Deputy General Counsel performs the following duties:

• Provides legal assistance, representation, research for the Division and its staff, including the Executive Director, Deputy Directors, Bureau Chiefs, and other Division managers.

• Provides guidance, counsel, and assistance to external stakeholders, including but not limited to State Emergency Response Commission, Local Emergency Planning Committee, other local and state governmental entities as       well as the public in relation to chapter 252, Florida Statute.

• Represents the Division in judicial and administrative proceedings and appeals.

• Provides legal assistance, coordination, support, and research to the Division as well as the Executive Office of the Governor and other state agencies during emergency operations and activations of the State Emergency Operations Center.

• Reviews and provides legal guidance on Division procurements, grants, subgrants, contractual service agreements, general contracts, and agreements to ensure compliance with procurement and contracting procedures, federal and state statutes, federal and state regulations, rulemaking, and decisions determining the interests of third parties.

• Provides supervision and management of staff within the Office of the General Counsel to include senior attorneys, law clerks, and other staff.

• Guides FDEM staff in the adherence to the Division's Code of Ethics.

• Assists the General Counsel in providing review, investigation, and action related to compliance, non-discrimination, and complaints rece