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

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation; Town of New Paltz (NY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday & Paid Time Off

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Pension from NYS Employees’ Retirement

Shift & Geographic pay differentials

Affordable Health Care options

Job summary

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation seeks a Senior Attorney to advise DEC staff on enforcement and permitting matters across multiple programs, including Water, Air Pollution Control, and Lands & Forests. The role involves drafting orders, pleadings, and representing DEC in mediation and enforcement hearings.

Open to NY HELPS candidates; requires law school degree and NYS Bar eligibility. Telecommuting may be available up to 50% of the schedule.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited law school with LLB or JD and NYS Bar eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and support to DEC staff on enforcement and permitting issues.
• Prepare and negotiate administrative Orders on Consent, draft pleadings, and represent DEC in mediation and enforcement hearings.
• Represent DEC staff during permit application reviews, including settlement conferences and hearings.
• Work with the Office of the New York State Attorney General on enforcement and defensive matters.
• Provide legal support on FOIL, State Administrative Procedures Act, and SEQRA.

Education

Graduate of an accredited law school (LLB or JD) and NYS Bar eligibility

Job description

Duties Description

The Senior Attorney will be tasked with providing legal advice and support to DEC staff regarding the application of law and policy to issues related to enforcement and permitting within DEC's jurisdiction. The responsibilities of the position will serve a variety of DEC programs, including Water, Air Pollution Control, Lands & Forests, Solid Waste, Mining, Remediation, Pesticides, Petroleum Bulk Storage and Spills, Freshwater and Tidal Wetlands, and more.

Description

Duties Description

The Senior Attorney will be tasked with providing legal advice and support to DEC staff regarding the application of law and policy to issues related to enforcement and permitting within DEC's jurisdiction. The responsibilities of the position will serve a variety of DEC programs, including Water, Air Pollution Control, Lands & Forests, Solid Waste, Mining, Remediation, Pesticides, Petroleum Bulk Storage and Spills, Freshwater and Tidal Wetlands, and more.

Job duties include preparing and negotiating administrative Orders on Consent, drafting pleadings and other hearing documents, and representing DEC in mediation and enforcement hearings. Job duties also involve representing DEC staff throughout the permit application review process, including settlement conferences and hearings.

The Senior Attorney will work closely with the Office of the New York State Attorney General in both enforcement and defensive matters.

In addition to the Environmental Conservation Law and DEC's regulations, the Senior Attorney also provides legal support to DEC staff regarding the Freedom of Information Law, State Administrative Procedures Act, and State Environmental Quality Review Act.

Qualifications

Minimum 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.

Additional Comments

Actual work schedule, duties and travel requirements may vary and will be discussed at the interview.

Must have a valid driver’s license or demonstrate the ability to meet the transportation needs of the position.

Transportation needs of this position require use of a state vehicle and adhering to the Department’s Vehicle Policy. You must have and maintain a valid driver’s license for this position.

Travel may be required.

Telecommuting may be available up to 50% of work schedule, 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.

If you are a person with a disability and wish to request that a reasonable accommodation be provided for you to participate in a job interview, please email: [e-mail].

Please be advised, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation does not use E-Verify, and we are unable to provide sponsorship for employment visa statuses (i.e. H-1B, Self-Sponsorship, STEM OPT).