Review Vacancy
AgencyGeneral Services, Office of
TitleSenior Attorney (NY HELPS) - VID 151943
Bargaining UnitM/C - Management / Confidential (Unrepresented)
Salary RangeFrom $88283 to $111592 Annually
Appointment Type Contingent Permanent
Minimum Qualifications This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS)* and applicants must meet the following minimum qualifications to be considered for this position:
This title includes a traineeship opportunity and applicants will be appointed to the appropriate level** based on experience.
Required experience: qualifying legal experience includes applicable experience earned post-NYS Bar Admission.
**Senior Attorney level requirements:
• Assistant Attorney 1 (equated to SG-18): Law school graduation and/or eligibility for NYS Bar Admission, and no qualifying post-Bar experience.
• Assistant Attorney 2 (equated to SG-20): Admission to NYS Bar and less than 12 months of qualifying post-Bar legal experience.
• Assistant Attorney 3 (equated to SG-22): Admission to NYS Bar and less than 24 months of qualifying post-Bar legal experience.
• Senior Attorney (SG-25): Admission to NYS Bar and two years of qualifying post-Bar legal experience.
Applicants may be appointed to this position if currently reachable on the appropriate eligible list for this title OR are a current New York State employee with one year or more of qualifying permanent service in a position allocated to a Grade 23 or above and eligible for transfer under Section 52.6 or 70.1 of the Civil Service Law AND possess a Juris Doctorate degree, have good standing with NYS Bar admission, and two-years of post-bar experience.
Duties Description Under the general direction of the Associate Attorney of the Office of General Services (“OGS”), the Senior Attorney will provide legal assistance to support various agency functions involving litigation, small claims, labor and employment investigations, procurement, and other legal matters and special projects. Typical duties include, but are not limited to:
1. Litigation
• Represent OGS in litigation and administrative proceedings.
• Conduct legal research, prepare memoranda with opinions, citations, and legal precedents in support of OGS’s business units and in the best interest of the State of New York.
• Provide legal counsel, advice, and strategies in presenting evidence and testimony in litigation and administrative proceedings.
2. Small Claims
• Assess agency claims and accident reports and gather information from claimants.
• Make determinations of State’s and business unit’s liability.
• Prepare approvals for payment in accordance with State Finance Law § 8(12-a) and prepare releases and other documents to process small claims.
• Prepare letters rejecting small claims where damage or injury is not caused by a State officer or employee.
3. Labor and Employment Matters
• Conduct investigations, interrogations, and employee background checks and develop recommendations involving employee disciplinary matters.
• Perform necessary legal research and prepare and present agency responses to investigatory entities within designated time frames.
• Represent OGS at administrative hearings defending agency actions in accordance with the provisions of collective bargaining agreements, NYS Civil Service Law, Human Rights Law, and Labor Law.
• Support OGS Human Resources in legal and employment matters, including discrimination complaints, reasonable accommodation requests, referrals to Employee Health Services, and implementation and interpretation of the Family Medical Leave Act.
• Provide legal support to the Business Services Center.
• Research and prepare formal legal briefs for submittal to arbitrators and adjudicatory bodies.
4. Special Projects and General Legal Support
• Serve as the OGS Records Management Officer.
• Conduct investigations in response to requests from the Inspector General, the Attorney General, or other investigative agencies.
• Administer and provide legal support regarding Project Sunlight.
• Review and respond to emails that are sent to the OGS Legal webmail inbox.
• Monitor the New York State laws and regulations related to cannabis and provide legal support to OGS business units that are affected by the laws and regulations.
• Provide legal support to the various and diverse OGS business units including but not limited to conducting research and drafting legal opinions and memoranda as assigned by the Deputy Commissioner and Counsel, senior legal staff, and business unit administrators. As appropriate, represent the agency in meetings with other agencies, elected officials, and the public.
Additional Comments *There is no examination required for appointment to a NY HELPS position. Candidates hired before May 2024 will be appointed on a temporary basis. In May 2024, satisfactory employees will receive permanent, non-competitive appointments and will begin a probationary period.
At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), it is expected that NY HELPS employees will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to take an exam. 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.
CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT: Applicants appointed to the Senior Attorney title must maintain good standing with their NYS Bar Admission and registration for their continued employment.
NOTE ON TELECOMMUTING: Employees are required to apply and obtain approval through management to telecommute according to the agency’s Telecommuting Program Guidelines.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Email Address HRresumes@ogs.ny.gov
Address
Street NYS Office of General Services, HRM
31st Floor Corning Tower, Empire State Plaza
Notes on ApplyingPlease submit a resume and cover letter detailing how you meet the minimum qualifications. Indicate the Position Title & Vacancy ID number of each position you are applying to.