First Amendment Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

Requisition No: 880915 

Agency: Department of Law Enforcement

Working Title: EXECUTIVE SENIOR ATTORNEY - 71002385

 Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 71002385 

Salary:  $99,807.24 

Posting Closing Date: 08/14/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

REGIONAL LEGAL ADVISOR

OFFICE OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL

**Open-Competitive Opportunity**

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Office of General Counsel (OGC) works closely with the department's Command Staff, regional Special Agents in Charge, and Program Directors to provide legal assistance and advice that is responsive to the specialized needs of the department, region, or division.

The OGC serves the entire agency in many different capacities which include: general state agency issues, such as human resource legal issues and public records requests; FDLE-specific matters, such as advising agents regarding ongoing criminal investigations and criminal intelligence gathering, Firearms Purchase Program concerns, DNA and Crime Laboratories legal questions, and Sexual Predator / Sexual Offender Registration questions.  The OGC also handles Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (CJSTC) professional licensure prosecutions, agency contracts, purchasing issues and administrative rulemaking. OGC members provide training on a variety of criminal law and procedure topics for FDLE's Special Agents.

The Department is seeking to fill a Regional Legal Advisor position within the Office of General Counsel in Tallahassee, Florida.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Specific duties include:

The position is based in Tallahassee and is the legal advisor for FDLE's Capitol Police, Division of Statewide Intelligence (DSI) and Protective Services Division (PSD). FDLE's Capitol Police provides security for the Capitol Complex in downtown Tallahassee and the Southwood area. The attorney in this position is responsible for advising Capitol Police members on areas of criminal law and uniformed patrol activities. The attorney will provide regular legal training and legal memorandums to Capitol Police members on topics pertinent to their duties. The attorney will advise and provide legal trainings to PSD regarding legal matters related to dignitary protective services such as First Amendment issues and demonstrations, interstate travel and firearm restrictions, use of state resources, and civil liability. The attorney also reviews intelligence bulletins created by DSI members for legal sufficiency and privacy considerations; provides annual and ongoing training on statewide intelligence topics including federal 28 CFR 23 requirements for criminal intelligence databases, as well as other privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties considerations.  

The attorney in this position will be required to assist the Office of General Counsel in department efforts such as FDLE in-house training on multiple subjects, including privacy and civil rights; represent FDLE in court and before other bodies. The attorney in this position must work carefully and effectively with high level FDLE supervisors, as well as members of other state agencies.

The attorney must be proficient in Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, and PowerPoint. The attorney must be an effective communicator and instructor and have a practical understanding of Florida criminal law. Must have the ability to effectively work under stressful deadlines or circumstances, including the ability to make appropriate and correct legal decisions when faced with little or no time to reflect or research issues.

To be considered as a potential candidate, you must meet the minimum qualifications(s) listed below. Degrees must be from an accredited college or university as recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

SPECIAL NOTES:

All applicants must submit a completed State of Florida Employment Application via the People First System, specifically identifying required experience and current salary. In addition, applicants must email a legal writing sample to the attention of Tracie Crawford, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Office of General Counsel, email address: TracieCrawford@fdle.state.fl.us. Incomplete submissions will not be considered.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. A member of the Florida Bar for Four (4) or more years; and 
2. At least two (2) years of experience as a law enforcement agency legal advisor, prosecutor, or similar criminal justice system work.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• The ability to successfully complete a background investigation to determine suitability for the position;
• Significant experience in criminal law and related matters;
• Ability to create and present training materials; and
• Effective oral and written advocacy skills (courtroom & administrative hearings and trials).

Note: Responses to qualifying questions must be clearly supported by the State of Florida Employment Application and any omission, falsification, or misrepresentation in the answering of the qualifying questions will be cause for immediate elimination from the selection process.

BASE SALARY:

• $99,807.24- $115,000

HOW YOU WILL GROW:

FDLE recognizes the importance of growth and success while fostering a supportive work environment. We encourage our members to seek opportunities for professional growth through training, team building, and mentoring. Our four Fundamental Values of Service, Integrity, Respect and Quality will guide you as you embark on a lifelong career at FDLE.

OUR SALARY & BENEFITS:

Starting salary will be the minimum of the class pay range, unless otherwise dictated by FDLE's pay policy. FDLE is a State of Florida Employer and offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• State of Florida Tuition Waiver Program;
• Paid holidays, vacation and sick leave;
• HMO and PPO health insurance options with premiums starting as low as $50 per month;
• $25,000 in automatic life insurance coverage;
• Multiple supplemental insurance options including: dental, vision, disability and more;
• Paid maternity leave and parental leave following the birth or adoption of a child;
• Pension and investment retirement plan options; and
• Tax deferred medical and child care reimbursement accounts.

ABOUT OUR AGENCY:

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) employs more than 2,000 members statewide - either at headquarters in Tallahassee or in one of seven regional operations centers (ROCs). Our mission is to promote public safety and strengthen domestic security. Click here for additional information about FDLE.

HIRING PROCESS:

You will be evaluated for this job based on your previous knowledge and experience. Additional reviews may be performed to screen for preferred qualifications, experience, and education. Your qualifications will be based on knowledge, skills, and abilities and other elements relevant to this position supported by the information in your application. Qualifying questions will only be credited if verifiable by the information provided on your application including specifically required software/computer skills. You may be contacted to participate in a selection process which may consist of written exercises, work samples, skills tests, interviews, drug screen and fingerprinting.  You may be notified by email to participate in a selection process. Failure to reply within a designated timeframe may exclude you from further consideration. Future vacancies may be filled from this position advertisement.

BACKGROUND:

FDLE requires an extensive background process of all recommended applicants. The elements of a background include: financial credit check, criminal history of applicant and applicant's immediate family or roommates, personal references, employment and education verifications (which includes official transcript(s)), drug screen and fingerprinting.  This information will be utilized to make the final hiring decision.

NOTES:

Preference will be given to current FDLE members who have satisfactorily completed at least six months of the probationary period for their current position.

REMINDERS:

1. Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Services 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.
2. 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 cancelled, suspended, or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement. 

The State of Florida hires only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers.

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.