Senior Attorney (NY HELPS) - VID 155433

Minimum Qualifications This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS)* and applicants must meet the following minimum qualifications to be considered for this position:

This title includes a traineeship opportunity and applicants will be appointed to the appropriate level** based on experience.

Required experience: qualifying legal experience includes applicable experience earned post-NYS Bar Admission.

**Senior Attorney level requirements:
Assistant Attorney 1 (equated to SG-18): Law school graduation and/or eligibility for NYS Bar Admission, and no qualifying post-Bar experience.
Assistant Attorney 2 (equated to SG-20): Admission to NYS Bar and less than 12 months of qualifying post-Bar legal experience.
Assistant Attorney 3 (equated to SG-22): Admission to NYS Bar and less than 24 months of qualifying post-Bar legal experience.
Senior Attorney (SG-25): Admission to NYS Bar and two years of qualifying post-Bar legal experience.

Applicants may be appointed to this position if currently reachable on the appropriate eligible list for this title OR are a current New York State employee with one year or more of qualifying permanent service in a position allocated to a Grade 23 or above and eligible for transfer under Section 52.6 or 70.1 of the Civil Service Law AND possess a Juris Doctorate degree, have good standing with NYS Bar admission, and two-years of post-bar experience.

Duties Description This position is within the Office of General Services (OGS) Office of Legal Services to be supervised by an Associate Attorney. The incumbent will be primarily responsible for providing legal assistance to the OGS Procurement Services group (Procurement Services) over its complete range of business unit functions. Procurement Services administers a multi-billion dollar centralized contract program for commodities, services and technology for State agencies, local governments, and other authorized users. As assigned, the incumbent will work on specific procurements for commodities, services, and information technology (IT), including Cloud Computing. The legal assistance covers the entire life cycle of the procurement: from drafting the solicitation document, to addressing issues in the procurement process and contract development, to contract administration issues. The IT procurements will typically involve knowledge in intellectual property, computer law, and privacy as well as policy development and analysis, negotiations, and contract writing. The incumbent will provide additional support for OGS-specific contracts to meet agency needs.

In particular, the incumbent will attend meetings, research issues, formulate responsive recommendations and resolutions, and draft and finalize legal documents in accordance with the State Finance Law, Executive Law, and Public Officers Law relative to issues of centralized and agency-specific procurements, ethics, procurement lobbying, agency operations, and special projects. The incumbent will also provide support to the OGS Agency Procurement Office for both OGS and hosted-agency procurements, the Preferred Source program, the OGS Office of Business Diversity (Minority and Women-Owned Businesses and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses), and the NY State Procurement Council as needed.

The incumbent will also assist in representation of the agency with Associate Attorneys in their advocacy on behalf of OGS with respect to determinations on procurement procedures and actions. Assistance includes factual investigation, formulation of responsive advice in adherence to applicable legal requirements, development of strategies, and participation in proceedings. In addition, the incumbent will assist in implementing training programs and developing materials on best practices in procurement.

The incumbent will further provide legal support to the various and diverse OGS business units as requested by the Deputy Commissioner and Counsel including conducting research and drafting legal opinions and memoranda (i) in support of Statewide, regional, and multiple-user services and technology contracts, (ii) in response to daily requests arising from interaction with OGS business units, or (iii) as assigned by the Deputy Commissioner and Counsel, senior legal staff, and business unit administrators.

Notes:
OGS employees receive a comprehensive New York State benefits package, including enrollment in the State pension system, excellent health, dental and vision insurance programs at reasonable cost, health savings accounts with employer contribution, and eligibility to enroll in the States Deferred Compensation Plan (a 457(b) plan that offers both traditional pre-tax and Roth retirement savings accounts).

OGS Legal Services consists of 17 attorneys, one paralegal, and four administrative staff. We have established a cordial, energetic, law firm-type of atmosphere where we pride ourselves on ensuring that less experienced colleagues are coached and mentored and not left to sink or swim on their own. All attorneys have a private office with windows. Workdays are a family-friendly 8 hours, with additional hours required rarely and only as project needs demand. OGS has adopted a telecommuting policy that permits eligible employees to work remotely up to two days per week; new attorneys are eligible after successful completion of a probationary period.

The work in OGS Legal Services is varied, interesting and rewarding. We hope that you will consider joining our team. Thank you.

Additional Comments *There is no examination required for appointment to a NY HELPS position. Candidates hired before May 2024 will be appointed on a temporary basis. In May 2024, satisfactory employees will receive permanent, non-competitive appointments and will begin a probationary period.

At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), it is expected that NY HELPS employees will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to take an exam. Employees will then be afforded with all 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.

CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT: Applicants appointed to the Senior Attorney title must maintain good standing with their NYS Bar Admission and registration for their continued employment.

NOTE ON TELECOMMUTING: Employees are required to apply and obtain approval through management to telecommute according to the agencys Telecommuting Program Guidelines.

The Office of General Services (OGS) is an equal opportunity employer, and we recognize that diversity in our workforce is critical to fulfilling our mission. We encourage applicants for all communities to apply.

For a full version of OGSs EEO/AA statement and benefits joining Team #OneOGS, please visit http://www.ogs.ny.gov/employment.

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