Review Vacancy
AgencyAttorney General, Office of the
TitleAssistant Attorney General, Environmental Protection Bureau in Albany (Ref.# EPB_AAG_ALB_3539)
Bargaining UnitM/C - Management / Confidential (Unrepresented)
Salary RangeFrom $86700 to $166344 Annually
Minimum Qualifications Prior experience litigating environmental and energy cases and knowledge of state and federal environmental statutes is not required.
This position is an excellent opportunity for litigators to laterally transition to an environmental justice and environmental litigation practice while joining a supportive and collegial team of professionals who are working together to protect the rights of all New Yorkers to clear air, clean water and safe and healthy communities.
Applicants should have at least three (3) years of experience litigating in federal and state courts, including performing several of the following: writing briefs, performing document review, conducting depositions or other witness examinations, appearing in court, and conducting or participating in settlement negotiations. The bureau implements a legal skills and practice area training program to support and strengthen bureau attorneys.
Applicants must possess excellent research, writing, and reasoning skills, and have the ability to develop and complete litigation and policy initiatives and filings in a timely manner. Ideal candidates will have litigated affirmative cases and have experience synthesizing information and building cases concerning public policy.
In addition, applicants must demonstrate a commitment to public service and the ability to work well with members of the public, scientific and technical staff, expert and fact witnesses, administrative agencies, and other members of litigation teams. Applicants should also describe any experience with electronic discovery and trial preparation platforms.
The OAG is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a workplace that is diverse, equitable and inclusive. We are seeking a diverse pool of candidates who are creative thinkers with strong writing, analytical and organizational skills as well as a demonstrated commitment to public service and social, economic and criminal justice. Applicants who are members of groups underrepresented in attorney roles, which include but are not limited to Black, Latinx, Indigenous American, Asian and Pacific Islander persons; women; persons with disabilities; and LGBTQ+ persons are particularly encouraged to apply. Fluency in other languages is a plus, but not required.
Applicants must reside in (or intend to soon become a resident of) New York State and must be admitted to practice law in New York State. Additionally, the Public Officers Law requires that OAG attorneys be citizens of the United States. A two (2) year commitment upon being hired is a condition of employment.
Duties Description The New York State Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) Environmental Protection Bureau is seeking a litigator to serve in its Affirmative Litigation Section in the Albany office. This position involves representing the State in environmental, public health, and energy matters in lawsuits in state and federal court, and in proceedings before administrative agencies. The Affirmative Litigation Section enforces state and federal environmental laws that protect New Yorkers’ rights to clean air, clean water, and safe and healthy communities, and conducts investigations into violations of those laws.
The bureau is focused on advancing environmental justice throughout the State, including addressing the inequitable distribution of pollution and other environmental health burdens, and associated health disparities. Recent matters handled by the Section attorneys include a natural resource damages action to recover for the lost use of a public park in an environmental justice community as a result of dumping contaminated construction site debris within the park, protecting agricultural sector workers and their families from pesticide exposures, lead paint hazard enforcement in low-income residential housing, and school bus engine idling enforcement. Attorneys in the section also develop and litigate contaminated site cleanup cost recovery actions, and recently negotiated agreements regarding the decommissioning and cleanup of nuclear power plants and surrounding sites that are viewed as national models. Attorneys in the section also help the bureau defend state agencies when they are sued concerning environmental matters.
Additional Comments As an employee of the OAG, you will join a team of dedicated individuals who work to serve the people of our State through a wide variety of occupations. To learn more about Assistant Attorney General compensation, please click here. We offer a comprehensive New York State benefits package, including paid leave, health, dental, vision and retirement benefits, and family-friendly policies. Additionally, the OAG offers a robust Workplace Flexibilities Program with multiple options for employees, including telecommuting (up to two days per week) and alternative work schedules.
Per Office of the Attorney General policy, confirmation of vaccination status is a condition of employment for this position. If you are not fully vaccinated, you may be required to provide regular negative COVID-19 PCR test results at a frequency determined by the agency. The agency will consider religious and reasonable accommodations. For more information, please contact recruitment@ag.ny.gov.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Email Address recruitment@ag.ny.gov
Address
Street NYS Office of the Attorney General
Legal Recruitment Bureau - 28 Liberty St
Notes on ApplyingApplications are being received online.
To ensure consideration, applications must be received by close of business on March 10, 2023.
Applicants must be prepared to submit a complete application consisting of the following:
Cover Letter
- You may address to Legal Recruitment.
- Indicate why you are interested in this position and what makes you a strong candidate.
- You may wish to include information about what life experiences you will bring to the position that will enhance EPB’s ability to better serve the diverse population of this state.
Resume
Writing Samples
- Please provide at least two writing samples (in the form of a brief, memo of law, or other advocacy piece you have written) that best demonstrate your legal writing and analytical abilities.
- Please upload these as one document using the field that is provided.
List of three (3) references
- Only submit professional references, supervisory references are preferred.
- Indicate the nature and duration of your relationship to each reference.
- Include contact information and email addresses for each reference.
- Please note, your references will not be contacted until after you interview for the position.
If you have questions regarding a position with the OAG and the application process or need assistance with submitting your application, please contact Legal Recruitment via email at recruitment@ag.ny.gov or phone at 212-416-8080.
For more information about the OAG, please visit our website: ag.ny.gov