DISTRICT CHIEF COUNSEL - 55011650

Requisition No: 886123

Agency: Department of Transportation

Working Title: DISTRICT CHIEF COUNSEL - 55011650

Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 55011650

Salary: $135,000.00 - $145,000.00

Posting Closing Date: 11/20/2026

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STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

JOB POSTING DESCRIPTION

650/DISTRICT 6 CHIEF COUNSEL

OPEN COMPETITIVE

SELECTED EXEMPT SERVICE

FULL-TIME

CONTACT PERSON: Cary Hawkins, Interim General Counsel

CONTACT PHONE NUMBER: 850-414-5263

CONTACT EMAIL ADDRESS: cary.hawkins@dot.state.fl.us

Join FDOT and be part of the team that works as one to improve safety, enhance mobility and inspire innovation in the Florida transportation system.

To ensure honesty and transparency, all applicants must provide their own work. Unless explicitly requested, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to assist with qualifying questions, work samples, or interviews is strictly prohibited, and any breach of this requirement will lead to the applicant being removed from consideration.

Candidates must be United States (U.S.) citizens or lawfully authorized alien workers. Visa sponsorship is not available.

Our Mission

The mission of the Florida Department of Transportation is to provide a safe statewide transportation system that promotes the efficient movement of people and goods, supports the state’s economic competitiveness, prioritizes Florida’s environment and natural resources, and preserves the quality of life and connectedness of the state’s communities.

Our Vision

As a OneFDOT team, we serve the people of Florida by providing a transportation network that is well planned, supports economic growth, and has the goal of being congestion and fatality free.

The Work You Will Do:

This is the Chief Counsel position within the District 6 Chief Counsel’s office.

This attorney serves as part of the Office of General Counsel statewide leadership team. The primary responsibility for the attorney in this position is to coordinate and direct the activities of the attorneys and support staff physically assigned to the Department's District 6 Chief Counsel's office. This attorney is responsible for implementing the directions of the Department's General Counsel. This attorney serves as the administrative supervisor for all attorneys and support staff physically assigned to the District 6 office, including staff that may be working in the contracts and legislative practice group, the eminent domain practice group, and the administrative law practice group. This attorney is responsible for providing day-to-day legal advice to the executive leadership of the District and oversees and coordinates the District's response to public records requests and citizen inquiries.

The Difference You Will Make:

Through cooperation, coordination and collaboration among the OneFDOT team, you will be contributing to a strong and empowering culture of TRREC: Trust, Relationships, Respect, Empowerment, and Communication.

How You Will Grow:

FDOT encourages our team members to grow through engagement, empowerment, training, and professional development. Through our agency’s learning management system, you have access to hundreds of computer-based training and instructor-led courses.

Where You Will Work:

You are a part of the Office of the General Counsel statewide team and will work in our District 6 Chief Counsel’s office located at 1000 NW 111th Avenue, Miami, FL 33172

Annual Salary Range:

$135,000.00 - $145,000.00

Your Specific Responsibilities:

This attorney serves as part of the Office of General Counsel statewide leadership team. The primary responsibility for the attorney in this position is to coordinate and direct the activities of the attorneys and support staff physically assigned to the Department's District 6 Chief Counsel's office. This attorney is responsible for implementing the directions of the Department's General Counsel. This attorney serves as the administrative supervisor for all attorneys and support staff physically assigned to the District 6 office, including staff that may be working in the contracts and legislative practice group, the eminent domain practice group, and the administrative law practice group. This attorney is responsible for providing day-to-day legal advice to the executive leadership of the District and oversees and coordinates the District's response to public records requests and citizen inquiries.

In coordination with the Deputy General Counsel, this attorney is responsible for providing legal counsel and advice to District staff concerning the negotiation, drafting, and review of contracts, funding agreements, joint project agreements, joint participation agreements, intergovernmental agreements, permits, and real estate interests. This attorney is responsible for ensuring that the legal advice provided by the staff physically assigned to the District 6 office comports with the direction and advice provided on a statewide basis, as established by the General Counsel. This attorney is responsible for providing input to the Deputy General Counsel on matters of statewide significance.

The Successful Candidate will have the following required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

Litigation and civil rules of procedure and practice.

Principles and techniques of effective verbal and written communications.

Ability to:

Motivate, develop, and direct staff as they work, identifying the best people for the job.

Understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

Utilize problem solving techniques.

Work independently.

Plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments.

Communicate effectively orally and in writing.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

Work with internal and external customers in a tactful and courteous manner.

Use word processing, graphic presentation software, database, and mainframe applications.

Licensure/Registration/Certification Requirements:

Must be a member of The Florida Bar.

Other Job-Related Requirements:

This position required overnight travel.

This position requires a level 1 background check.

The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

Health insurance (over 90% employer paid)

$25,000 life insurance policy (100% employer paid)

Dental, vision and supplemental insurances

State of Florida retirement package

10 paid holidays a year

Generous vacation and sick leave

Career advancement opportunities

Tuition waiver for public college courses

A variety of training opportunities

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

For additional benefit information available to State of Florida employees, visit: https://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com/

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number to conduct required verifications. Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion in the Career Service, or appointment in the Selected Exempt Service (SES) or Senior Management Service (SMS), unless they are registered with the Selective Service System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS.

THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION VALUES AND SUPPORTS EMPLOYMENT OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES. QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. In accordance with Section 110.112, Florida Statutes, and the Florida Department of Transportation’s Individuals with Disabilities Affirmative Action Plan, the agency is committed to ensuring affirmative action and equal employment opportunity for qualified individuals with disabilities. Upon request and as appropriate, reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities may be provided. Please contact the Florida Department of Transportation’s Human Resources Office at (850) 414-5300 for assistance.

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.