Senior Attorney / Assistant Attorney 1 / 2 / 3 - NY HELPS
State of New York See More Job Openings by This Employer
The incumbent will serve as an Assistant Regional Attorney (ARA) for the Region 9 office and perform the following job duties:
Legal Research and Preparation of Legal Documents: The ARA will provide support to the Regional Attorney on legal matters by working on assigned enforcement cases and permit matters. Such work will include the preparation of various legal documents, development of legal strategy, and researching various issues.
Legal Advice: The ARA, in consultation with the Regional Attorney, will provide legal advice on program-related matters to regional staff in support of DEC’s mission and in conformity with DEC’s policies and guidance documents.
Negotiations: The ARA will represent DEC in negotiations involving regional cases. The ARA must effectively communicate orally and in writing with the Regional Attorney, staff and outside parties.
Hearings, Litigation, and Mediation: The ARA, in consultation with the Regional Attorney, will represent DEC in pre-hearing settlement conferences, administrative proceedings, adjudicatory hearings, mediation, and enforcement-related litigation involving cost recovery and program-related permit and enforcement cases. The ARA will be fair and consistent in the pursuit of environmental compliance.
Effectively manage an assigned caseload: The ARA will ensure that the Regional Attorney is fully informed and involved in decision making regarding case strategy and progress on cases assigned to the ARA. The successful candidate will be able to actively manage an assigned workload, timely complete assignments, comply with deadlines and fulfill the duties of an ARA as an effective member of the DEC team. The ARA will maintain the strictest standards of confidentiality to ensure compliance with professional standards and expectations for confidentiality.
The ARA will provide enforcement and legal support for a variety of programs including, Division of Water, Division of Air, Lands & Forests, Division of Materials Management, Mineral Resources, Pesticides, Division of Environmental Permits, Division of Environmental Remediation, Petroleum Bulk Storage, Ecosystem Health, and the Office of Public Protection to further departmental interests. This includes advising staff regarding the application of law and policy to issues related to the Department's jurisdiction. For the Division of Environmental Permits, the position will involve advising staff and the public regarding Uniform Procedures Act, the State Environmental Quality Review Act, and State Administrative Procedures Act. Finally, the position requires support to staff regarding application of the Freedom of Information Law and the Personal Privacy Protection Act.
The successful candidate should have education and/or experience related to environmental law or administrative law.
Specific criteria required for this position
The selected candidate must possess the following:
1.1.7 Administrative Law = 1 course AND
1.1.39 Environment = 2 courses
OR
3.1.2 Legal Opinion/ Compliance Advice/ Enforcement Advice = Intermediate level AND
3.1.9 Litigation = Intermediate level AND
3.1.10-10 Settlement Negotiations = Intermediate level
- $66,951 - $121,413/year
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.
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.
Weekends and holidays 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.
The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Our work would not be possible without the diverse backgrounds, experiences, ideas, and abilities of our employees. DEC is committed to developing a workforce which represents the diverse population of New York State. DEC embraces a diverse and inclusive work environment by encouraging all individuals, including those with disabilities, to apply to open positions at the agency.
Please email/mail your resume to the above. Be sure to include Vacancy #25-185289 when applying to this position or your application may not be accepted. Please include a copy of your transcript. Unofficial copy is acceptable.
