Review Vacancy
Date Posted: 11/12/25
Applications Due: 11/27/25
Vacancy ID: 202467
Position Information
NY HELPYes
AgencyChildren & Family Services, Office of
TitleSenior Attorney, Assistant Attorney 2, 3 (NY HELPS)
Occupational CategoryLegal
Salary Grade25
Bargaining UnitPS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF)
Salary RangeFrom $74193 to $121413 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 9 AM
To 5 PM
Flextime allowed? No
Mandatory overtime? No
Compressed workweek allowed? No
Telecommuting allowed? Yes
Location
County Rensselaer
Street Address Capital View Office Park - Legal
52 Washington Street
City Rensselaer
StateNY
Zip Code12144
Job Specifics
Duties Description The Senior Attorney will be responsible for providing legal assistance and support to OCFS’ Divisions of Juvenile Justice and Opportunities for Youth (DJJOY) and Youth Development and Partnerships for Success (YDAPS). The Senior Attorney will also provide general legal support and assistance to OCFS staff regarding key OCFS initiatives. Legal assistance and support includes, but is not limited to, providing legal opinions and advice; drafting and reviewing agency policies and forms; drafting and reviewing federal and state legislation and regulations; negotiating and drafting contracts and memorandums of understanding on various subjects including services and property matters; responding to records requests and other correspondences received by OCFS; and assisting the Attorney General’s Office in litigation defense. The attorney may be called upon to represent OCFS at administrative hearings or Family Court matters concerning youth in care or in response to subpoenas or orders for submission of records. The attorney will assist in providing legal guidance concerning supervision and treatment of court placed youth, facility-based operations and programs as well as monitoring of detention, community services and a range of community-based programs. Additionally, the attorney will provide legal support and guidance relative youth development programs and funding providing to municipalities; youth bureaus; and the certification and operation of runaway and homeless youth programs, including the review of corporate documentation and operating certificates for compliance.
Additional duties will be discussed in detail during the interview.
Minimum Qualifications Transfer: One year of permanent competitive or 55b/c service in this title or in a title eligible for 70.1 or 52.6 transfer.
For transfers, a list of approved titles is available through Civil Service GOT-IT at https://careermobilityoffice.cs.ny.gov/cmo/gotit/. The GOT-IT site will inform you if your title is transferrable.
Open to the Public: This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide program (NY HELPS).*
Position may be filled at the Senior Attorney level or one of the Assistant Attorney traineeship appointment levels. Appointment title will be dependent upon qualifications of candidate selected.
The minimum qualifications through the NY HELPS are:
Assistant Attorney 2 (Grade 20): Admission to NYS Bar
Assistant Attorney 3 (Grade 22): 12 months as an Assistant Attorney 2, or Admission to the NYS Bar and 12 months of subsequent satisfactory legal experience
Senior Attorney (Grade 25): 12 months as an Assistant Attorney 3, or Admission to the NYS Bar and 24 months of subsequent satisfactory legal experience
NOTE: Admission to the New York State Bar and current registration to practice law in New York State is required for continued employment. Disbarment or loss of registration shall result in termination or suspension of employment.
This position may be designated 55 b/c and is subject to verification of applicant eligibility.
Additional Comments *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, 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.
Candidates who took and passed the Legal Specialties Examination are encouraged to apply.
Please specify in your cover letter and/or resume how you meet the minimum qualifications (as described above) when responding to this posting. Vagueness will not be interpreted in your favor and may disqualify you from further consideration if the information you provide does not meet the minimum qualifications.
Background Investigation Requirements:
1) All prospective employees will be investigated through a Criminal Background Check (CBC), which includes State and federal Criminal History Record Checks. All convictions must be reported; conviction of a felony or misdemeanor, or any falsified or omitted information on the prospective appointee’s employment application, may bar appointment or result in removal after appointment. Each case will be determined on its own merits, consistent with the applicable provisions of State and federal laws, rules, and regulations. Prospective employees will be fingerprinted in order to obtain a record of their criminal history information and may be required to pay any necessary fees.
2) All prospective employees will be screened against the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR). Prospective employees will be required to pay any necessary fees.
3) For Division of Juvenile Justice and Opportunities for Youth (DJJOY) prospective appointees will be checked against the Staff Exclusion List (SEL) maintained by the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs. Prospective employees whose names appear on the SEL as having been found responsible for serious or repeated acts of abuse or neglect will be barred from appointment and may have their names removed from the eligible list(s) for the title(s) if applicable.
The Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) is an equal opportunity employer. OCFS does not discriminate based upon age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, military or veteran status, sex, disability (including pregnancy-related conditions), predisposing genetic characteristics, familial status, marital status, or status as a victim of domestic violence, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We devote special attention to dismantling racial injustice and recognize that diversity in our workforce is critical to fulfilling our mission. We are committed to the diversity of our staff and encourage applicants from marginalized communities to apply. In furtherance of Executive Order 31 and OCFS’s mission to have a diverse workforce, all people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. All applicants must be dedicated to working in and sustaining an environment of inclusion that affirms and celebrates the backgrounds, learned, and lived expertise, whole identities, and individual perspectives of our staff. Applicants of all backgrounds and experiences are encouraged to self-identify during the application process.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
How to Apply
Name New York State Office of Children and Family Services
Telephone 518-473-7936
Fax 518-473-6122
Email Address eoajobpostings@ocfs.ny.gov
Address
Street Bureau of Personnel - NLS
52 Washington Street, 231 North
City Rensselaer
State NY
Zip Code 12144
Notes on ApplyingQualified candidates should e-mail their resume and letter of interest to eoajobpostings@ocfs.ny.gov You MUST include the Vacancy number of the position in the subject line of your email and/or cover letter to ensure receipt of your application. In order to qualify you for the position when you have current or prior New York State employment, you may be contacted by OCFS Personnel for your social security number to confirm your employment history.
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