This is highly responsible advanced legal work serving as staff attorney for the South Florida Employment and Training Consortium Department.

An employee in this class is responsible for serving as legal counsel to the SFETC Department, preparation of legal opinions pertaining to departmental concerns, and preparation, legal review and certification of departmental documents pertaining to contracted services with public and private organizations in Dade and Monroe counties . Responsibilities include attending depositions, preparing and defending departmental interests at trial, interpreting state and federal laws to ensure the effective management of federal funds, providing expert opinion in matters of contract negotiation, execution, and enforcement; advising on Sunshine law and conflict of interest issues ; and serving as departmental liaison to the County Attorney's Office. The incumbent exercises considerable independent judgment in efforts designed to facilitate the appeals and grievance processes, deobligations, denials of funding, terminations of eligibility as a service provider and termination of contracts. General direction is received from the Department Director who evaluates work for effective legal assistance with departmental affairs.

ILLUSTRATIVE TASKS

Reviews, approves and certifies departmental documents conducive to legally sound ageements with public and private organizations that provide employment related services to the public at large.

Attends depositions, prepares and defends departmental interests at trial.

Renders legal opinions to departmental employees in matters of contract negotiation, execution, and enforcement.

Oversees the appeals and grievance process. Monitors the investigation of claims and reviews written responses to ensure accuracy.

Reviews and approves all terminations of eligibility as a service provider, denials of funding and termination of contracts.

Reviews and approves public records requests protecting confidentiality whenever appropriate.

Interprets State and Federal laws as it pertains to employment regulations and the effective management of federal funds.

Renders legal opinions whenever departmenal conflict of interests issues arises.

Represents the department as legal liaison with the County Attorney's Office; coordinates requests for legal opinions.

Supervises professional and clerical staff.

Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGES, ABILITIES, AND SKILLS

Thorough knowledge of legal theory, principles and practices.

Thorough knowledge of employment law.

Thorough knowledge of contract development and enforcement.

Thorough knowledge of legal documents used and required by the federal funding sources

Thorough knowledge of current court decisions which have a potential impact upon departmental operations.

Ability to provide effective legal assistance to the Department Director in the capacity of a staff attorney.

Ability to apply legal theory, principles and practices to the legal affairs of the SFETC Department.

Ability to exercise judgment and discretion in legal matters to avoid expensive litigation and enhance effectiveness of departmental enforcement activities.

Ability to interpret and apply provisions of the Miami-Dade County Charter, amendments and admnistrative orders.

Ability to keep abreast of current legal developments potentially impacting departmental operations.

Ability to render proper legal interpretations of contractual agreements