Position Information

NY HELPNo

AgencyState Comptroller, Office of the

TitleSenior Attorney - Item # 01163

Occupational CategoryLegal

Salary Grade25

Bargaining UnitPS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF)

Salary RangeFrom $88161 to $111111 Annually

Employment Type Full-Time

Appointment Type Contingent Permanent

Jurisdictional Class Competitive Class

Travel Percentage 0%

Schedule

Workweek Mon-Fri

Hours Per Week 37.5

Workday

From 8 AM

To 4 PM

Flextime allowed? No

Mandatory overtime? No

Compressed workweek allowed? No

Telecommuting allowed? Yes

Location

County Albany

Street Address 110 State Street

City Albany

StateNY

Zip Code12236

Job Specifics

Minimum Qualifications Interested candidates must be reachable on the open competitive Legal Specialties list or be eligible to transfer under Section 52.6 of the Civil Service Law and meet the special qualifications as listed below:
To be eligible for transfer under Section 52.6:
Candidates must have one year of permanent competitive service in a qualifying title allocated to
grade 23 or higher and must have 12 months as an Assistant Attorney 3 OR admission to the New York State Bar AND 24 months of subsequent satisfactory legal experience

Duties Description Court Orders
• Research, interpretation and legal analysis of court orders and other complex issues involving court orders, the Domestic Relations Law, the Retirement and Social Security Law, and the Estates, Powers, and Trust Law.
• Provide information and render opinions in verbal and written form to assist retirees, members, alternate payees and attorneys in obtaining equitable distribution of pension benefits following a matrimonial action or during a death benefit contest.
• Render legal opinions to other bureaus within the Retirement System regarding matrimonial issues affecting pension benefits.
• Provide accurate and timely service to RS staff, members, retirees, and attorneys explaining the value of the parties’ pension benefits and any adjustment or recalculation of pension benefits required under the court orders received.
• Timely respond to record subpoenas and inquiries arising out of litigation brought against the Retirement System as the plan administrator of domestic relations orders.
• Provide training for internal staff and speak at outside CLE presentations regarding matrimonial/pension issues.

Management of Matrimonial Unit
• Manage and oversee the Matrimonial unit which reviews approximately 700-900 matrimonial cases per month and monitors all email communication procedures used by the unit and bureau.
• Train, mentor and review Matrimonial staff work for accuracy and compliance with established internal controls. Participant in weekly matrimonial unit and case discussion meetings, and answer question on an as-needed basis.
• Oversee the effective process and workflow for incoming correspondence and email.
• Ensure that internal processes are documented and adhered to.
• Ensure effective communication with internal and external stakeholders (members, retirees, attorneys, alternate payees and other interested parties), such as website content and the review of Retirement System publications to provide information on how a divorce may affect retirement benefits.
• Provide input and feedback on Matrimonial workflow and correspondence as it relates to the Redesign Project.
• Attend required meetings with unit staff, Accenture, and Redesign business staff.
• Encourage good performance by providing leadership and direction by using supervisory tools such as communication, constructive feedback, coaching, counseling, mentoring and training.
• Ensure that Civil Service and Department personnel policies and procedures are followed.
• Ensure staff adherence to policies regarding time and attendance, as well as internet, email and phone usage.
• Provide ongoing training for subordinates as part of reviewing work and answering questions. Assist in planning, coordinating and delivering formal staff training.
• Communicate applicable Retirement System laws, policies and procedures to staff including changes and updates, to ensure compliance.

Legal Research
• Research legal issues and prepare legal memorandum on novel issues concerning the implementation of DROs against pension plan benefits regarding pensions and domestic relations law.
• Research other retirement systems’ procedures, laws, and policies.
• Collaborate with matrimonial unit, bureaus within our agency as well as staff from other retirement systems.
• Draft policies and procedures for the bureau as needed.

Additional Comments • Legal Skills- Candidates must be a member in good standing of the New York State Bar.
• Judgement- Gives thoughtful consideration before forming opinions, exercises careful deliberations before making judgments, evaluates options in terms of consequences, effectively diagnoses situations or conditions, and makes wise and fair judgments based on facts and established precedents.
• Interpersonal Skills- Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills; builds positive relationships with staff, colleagues, and attorneys; demonstrates strong listening skills; works effectively with other divisions and departments; and respects the opinions of others.
• Communication Skills- Communicates clearly and concisely; excels in communicating with individuals and groups, both internally and externally; keeps other bureaus and divisions informed of developments affecting their functions; effectively communicates upward, downward and laterally; encourages honest feedback; and effectively represents the organization.
• Writing Skills- Is highly skilled in conveying complex information into simple, readable form, possesses a demonstrated ability to write correspondence, reports, memos.

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

Contact Information

Name Daniel Gibbs

Telephone (518) 474-1924

Fax (518) 486-6723

Email Address recruit@osc.ny.gov

Address

Street Office of the State Comptroller

110 State Street

City Albany

State NY

Zip Code 12236

 

Notes on ApplyingInterested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to recruit@osc.ny.gov no later than May 23, 2022. Please reference Item #01163 – GOER-DG when responding.
When responding, please include the reference number and letters listed in this section. The Vacancy ID # should not be included.