Senior Attorney (NY HELPS)

Minimum Qualifications Harvest your potential with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets! Join our team and become an integral part of a team dedicated to fostering a competitive food and agriculture industry that benefits both producers and consumers alike. Here, you can cultivate your career in a dynamic environment that values innovation, sustainability, and community engagement. With a wide range of opportunities spanning from environmental science to economic development, you can find your niche in public service and grow both professionally and personally. Embrace the chance to join our team, and youll not only reap a fulfilling career but also sow the seeds for a healthier, stronger New York.

NY HELPS Qualifications: Admission to the NYS bar and two years of post-licensure professional legal experience.

Specialized requirements beyond the minimum qualifications: 3 months to less than 1 year of Government Administrative Law Experience in Administrative Hearing Procedure and the State Administrative Procedures Act; AND at least novice experience in the following legal tasks: Advisory Memoranda, Case Preparation (Trial), Case Preparation (Administrative Hearings), Drafting Brief, Administrative Evidence Rulings/Credibility Determinations/Final Determinations/Sentencing, and Managing Hearings/Court Calendar.

Traineeship Qualifications: Candidates who have graduated from law school and who possess credentials and experience less than that described above will be required to serve in a traineeship leading to Senior Attorney, Grade 25. The length of the traineeship will be determined by the credentials and experience possessed by a candidate. As shown below:
Assistant Attorney 1, NS = Grade 18: Law School Graduation (or other eligibility to take the NYS Bar Examination)
Assistant Attorney 2, NS = Grade 20: Admission to NYS Bar
Assistant Attorney 3, NS = Grade 22: One year as Assistant Attorney 2 or admission to the NYS Bar and one year of subsequent professional legal experience
Senior Attorney, Grade 25: Admission to the NYS bar and two years of post-licensure professional legal experience.

Notes:
1. Appropriate part-time and volunteer experience, which can be verified, will be accepted on a prorated basis in determining the appropriate appointment level. Also, experience gained subsequent to admission to the Bar in a state having reciprocity with New York State can be credited only after admission to the New York State Bar. Candidates must note such experience and the existence of the admission reciprocity agreement at the time of interview.
2. Your degree or college credit must have been awarded by a regionally accredited college or university or one recognized by the NYS Education Department as following acceptable educational practices. If your degree was awarded by an educational institution outside the United States and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. You can write to the Examination Information Desk of the NYS Department of Civil Service for a list of acceptable companies who provide this service. This information can also be found on the Internet at http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/degrees.cfm. You must pay the required evaluation fee.

Duties Description The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is seeking a Senior Attorney to provide a full range of technical legal services supporting Department programs. This position serves as a legal advisor to program administrators, undertakes legal research, interprets statutes and regulations, drafts regulations and related rule-making documents, litigation papers, memoranda, opinions, and correspondence. Additionally, the Senior Attorney will be responsible for preparing and handling legal actions, including administrative hearings to enforce laws, rules, regulations, etc., provide assistance with the development of contracts, the solicitation of Requests of Proposals and Invitations for Bids, prepare drafts of proposed legislation and its submission after review to the Legislature and assist with the administration of Freedom of Information Law requests and document review.

This position offers the opportunity for a part-time telecommuting schedule and is perfect for a self-driven candidate interested in providing legal assistance and support to agency program administrators. The support to agency program administrators directly impacts the promotion of New York State agriculture and its high-quality and diverse products, fostering agricultural environmental stewardship and safeguarding the states food supply, land, and livestock to ensure the viability and growth of New Yorks agriculture industries!

Additional Comments NY HELPS Program:
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 this time, agencies may recruit and hire employees by making temporary appointments. In May 2024, if a temporary NY HELPS employee is satisfactorily performing in the position, the appointment will be changed from temporary pending Civil Service Commission Action to permanent non-competitive and the official probationary period will begin.

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 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.

Benefits:
This is a PEF-represented position that offers excellent benefits! Benefits include but are not limited to inexpensive Health Insurance options, free Dental and Vision coverage, NYS Pension Plan membership, and generous paid time off. Within the first year, you are eligible for 5 days of personal time, 13 vacation days, 13 sick days, and 13 paid holidays!

Salary:
The full title Senior Attorney position is in the PEF Salary Grade (SG) 25. The starting salary of the PEF SG-25 is $93,530/year.

The candidate appointed at the Senior Attorney, SG-25 level, will be eligible to participate in the New York State Performance Evaluation Program. Through this program, employees receive yearly performance evaluations. Performance advances are payable to PEF employees whose base annual salary is below the job rate for their current position and who were rated "Satisfactory" or its equivalent on their yearly performance evaluation. Performance advance payments are added to an employee's annual salary. Over time, yearly performance advances may lead to the SG-25 job rate salary of $117,875/ year!

Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.