Senior Attorney / Assistant Attorney 1/2/3 - NY HELPS

Duties

This position is located in the Office of General Counsel in Syracuse. The candidate will have a range of legal responsibilities encompassing a variety of program and Department issues, including freshwater wetlands, fish and wildlife, materials management and hazardous substances, petroleum bulk storage/spills, water resources, air, minerals/oil and gas. Responsibilities include negotiation and implementation of enforcement matters including Orders of consent, representing the Department at permit and enforcement hearings, and assisting the Attorney General in litigation involving the Department. The position involves respond to Freedom of Information Law requests. Strong advocacy, research, and writing skills are required, as well as excellent communication skills in person, writing and on the telephone with the regulated public, and other agencies, co-workers, and court officers.

Salary

• $65,001 - $117,875/year

Qualifications

This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).

For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a non-competitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply.

At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to compete in an examination. Employees will then be afforded with all of the same rights and privileges of competitive class employees of New York State. While serving permanently in a NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.

Position may be filled at the Senior Attorney level or one within the Legal Traineeship appointment levels. Appointment title will be dependent upon qualifications of candidate selected.

Reassignment - Currently in the title and an employee of DEC

Or

Reinstatement Eligible - Previously held the title on a permanent competitive basis or held a title as indicated under the transfer eligible section on a permanent competitive basis

OR

Transfer Eligible - One year of permanent competitive service at Salary Grade 16 or higher and either:

Eligible for transfer under Section 70.4: Must meet the open competitive minimum qualifications below;

Or

Eligible for transfer under Section 52.6: Must have current or prior service in a title designated as 52.6 within two salary grades/one M grade of this position. In addition, you must be a graduate of an accredited law school with an LLB or JD degree and/or be eligible to take the New York State Bar examination. If you are not admitted to the NYS Bar within two years of appointment, your appointment will be terminated.

OR

Eligible for transfer under Section 70.1: Permanent competitive service as a Senior Attorney or Senior Attorney Realty.

55b/c candidates must meet the open-competitive minimum qualifications below and include with their resume or application, a copy of the letter from Civil Service which indicates approval for the 55b/c program.

Open competitive minimum qualifications (provided for 55b/c candidates, 70.4 transfer eligibles, and NYHELPS candidates): graduate of an accredited law school with an LLB or JD degree and/or be eligible to take the NYS Bar examination. If you are not admitted to the NYS Bar within two years of appointment, your appointment will be terminated.

In addition, open competitive candidates are required to have the selective criteria that is listed within the duties description.

If you are on an examination eligible list for the position title, you do not need to respond to this posting unless you are also eligible for appointment by transfer, reinstatement, or reassignment as defined above. The eligible list will be canvassed as appropriate. Always respond to an eligible list canvass.

Other Information

Must have a valid driver’s license or demonstrate the ability to meet the transportation needs of the position.
Travel may be required.
Overtime may be required.
Overnight travel may be required.
Telecommuting may be available, will be discussed at interview.

We offer a work-life balance and a generous benefits package, worth 65% of salary, including:

• Holiday & Paid Time Off
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Pension from New York State Employees’ Retirement System
• Shift & Geographic pay differentials
• Affordable Health Care options
• Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost
• NYS Deferred Compensation plan
• Access to NY 529 and NY ABLE College Savings Programs, and U.S. Savings Bonds
• And many more...

For new State employees appointed to graded positions, the annual salary is the hiring rate (beginning of the Salary Range) of the position. Promotion salaries are calculated by the NYS Office of the State Comptroller in accordance with NYS Civil Service Law, OSC Payroll rules and regulations and negotiated union contracts.

DEC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

How to Apply

Please email/mail your resume to the above. Be sure to include Vacancy #24-173438 when applying to this position or your application may not be accepted. Please include a copy of your transcript. Unofficial copy is acceptable.