Senior Environmental Counsel — Enforcement & Permitting

DGS Office of External Affairs; City of Schenectady (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The New York Department of Environmental Conservation seeks an Associate Counsel to work in the Region 4 Schenectady office enforcing environmental violations and protecting natural resources across the Capital District. The role provides legal counsel and leadership on enforcement matters, permitting, and policy development, with primary responsibility for complex cases and consent order negotiations.

Reporting to the Regional Attorney, the incumbent represents DEC before hearing boards,

Qualifications

• Admission to the New York State Bar.
• 4 years of post-bar legal experience.
• Valid driver’s license or demonstrated ability to meet transportation needs.
• Availability for emergency response and after-hours calls.
• Ability to travel to meetings, hearings, and transport related files.

Responsibilities

• Enforce environmental violations and protect natural resources across the nine-county Capital District.
• Provide legal counsel and leadership on enforcement matters, permitting, and policy development.
• Represent DEC before hearing boards and collaborate with the Attorney General's Office.
• Manage complex permitting matters and advise regional staff on regulatory processes.
• Lead significant administrative enforcement cases and negotiate consent orders.

Skills

Legal experience

Driver's license

Emergency response availability

Travel flexibility

Education

New York State Bar admission

Job description

The New York Department of Environmental Conservation seeks an Associate Counsel to work in the Region 4 Schenectady office enforcing environmental violations and protecting natural resources across the Capital District. The role provides legal counsel and leadership on enforcement matters, permitting, and policy development, with primary responsibility for complex cases and consent order negotiations.

Reporting to the Regional Attorney, the incumbent represents DEC before hearing boards,