Review Vacancy
TitleSenior Attorney/Assistant Attorney 1/2/3 - Albany, Buffalo, NYC - Legislative and Regulatory Affairs (NY HELPS)
Bargaining UnitPS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF)
Salary RangeFrom $66951 to $121413 Annually
Appointment Type Contingent Permanent
Duties Description The New York State Department of Labor Counsel's office is seeking a skilled and collaborative Attorney to join our Legislative and Regulatory Affairs unit as a Senior Attorney. This position offers an opportunity to work closely with a team on complex legislative matters and contribute to the Department's critical work in supporting New York's labor law landscape. The ideal candidate will possess a solid foundation in legal analysis and research, an interest in statutory interpretation and development, and the ability to provide effective legal counsel within a dynamic government agency.
Specific duties may include but not be limited to:
Prepare, review, and revise drafts of new legislation and amendments, ensuring alignment with the Department's strategic?objectives?and legal requirements.
Review and analyze proposed legislation and provide legal advice and recommendations on potential impacts to the Department and its programs.
Research legislative history, statutory intent, case law, and related legal authorities and opinions to respond, either verbally or in writing, to requests for legal opinions or interpretations.
Formulate and communicate clear legal positions and arguments concerning pending or new legislation to internal stakeholders and, as?appropriate, external parties.
Work collaboratively with other attorneys, Counsel’s Office leadership, policy advisors, and program staff to? determine legislative needs and develop effective legislative strategies.
Proactively monitor and track state and federal legislative actions, including bill introductions, committee hearings, and enacted laws, to identify legal impacts impacts and opportunities for the Department.
Analyze and summarize cases and information pertinent to constitutional provisions, statutes, rules, regulations, policies, opinions, and litigation strategies.
Engage in a variety of tasks, as assigned by supervisors, to contribute to the overall success of the Counsel's office.
Minimum Qualifications This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide program (NY HELPS). For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a non-competitive appointment, if they meet the below NY HELPS minimum qualifications.
NY HELPS Non-Competitive Minimum Qualifications:
Admission to the NYS bar and two years of post-licensure professional legal experience.
Position may be filled at the Senior Attorney level or one within the Legal Traineeship appointment levels. Appointment title will be dependent upon qualifications of candidate selected.
Assistant Attorney 1 (Grade 18): Law school graduation and/or eligibility for NYS Bar
Admission 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 two years of post-licensure professional legal experience.
Your degree must have been awarded by an educational institution accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the United States (U.S.) Department of Education/Secretary of Education. If awarded by an institution outside of the U.S. and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. A list of companies that provide these services (fees must be paid to the company you choose) can be found at: http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/degrees.cfm. You will be required to provide this information to the hiring agency at the time of interview.
It is expected that employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status in the future, without having to compete in an examination. Employees will then be afforded 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. If you are interested in the NY-HELPS program, or this position, you may reply to this vacancy posting, or you may visit the New York State Department of Civil Service website at https://www.cs.ny.gov/help/ (copy and paste in browser) to register today, in three easy steps.
Note: It is essential that you describe your qualifying education and/or experience as completely as possible on your application; your application should describe in detail the kind of service and information you provide to the general public. Omissions or vagueness may not be interpreted in your favor. Additionally, in accordance with Civil Service Law, provisional service immediately prior to a permanent appointment to this title is now credited towards the completion of probation upon permanent appointment.
Competitive Minimum Qualifications:
Reassignment Qualifications:
Current Department of Labor employees only, with at least one year of permanent, contingent-permanent, or 55b/c service in a Senior Attorney title; if you have less than one year, you must be reachable on the current Legal Specialties Program eligible list for this location, if one exists.
52.6 Transfer Qualifications:
One year of permanent or contingent-permanent as a Grade 23 or higher determined to be administrative by Civil Service.
70.1 Transfer Qualifications:
One year of permanent or contingent-permanent as a Grade 25 or higher determined to be similar by Civil Service.
*Transfer candidates must also possess a law degree from an accredited college or university and be able to provide evidence of current registration to practice law in New York State.
Note: For all transfers noted, a comprehensive list of titles approved for transfer is available through Civil Service GOT-IT at https://careermobilityoffice.cs.ny.gov/cmo/gotit
Preferred Qualifications:
Skilled in effectively communicating complex information, both in writing and verbally.
Ability to adapt communication style to suit diverse audiences and stakeholders.
Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
Effectively contributes independently and collaboratively within a team.
Capacity to manage multiple and shifting priorities with efficiency and accuracy.
Attorneys with experience in New York’s legislative process are encouraged to apply.
Ability to initiate and maintain relationships across a diverse set of stakeholders.
Additional Comments Opportunities exist in the following cities statewide:
Albany
Buffalo
NYC - Manhattan
Position specific job duties may include occasional altered work schedule or job assignments which require availability and willingness to work occasional evenings and/or out-stationed assignments.
Candidates with no previous state service will begin at the starting rate of the salary range listed above.
Additional location pay is available for the following counties: Bronx, Kings, Nassau, NYC-Manhattan, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, and Westchester, Dutchess, Orange, and Putnam.
If you are a current NYS employee and have questions regarding salary, please contact the Business Services Center (BSC): 518-457-4272, BSCHR@ogs.ny.gov.
Telecommuting is available and can be discussed during the interview.
Employment at the Department of Labor is contingent upon the maintenance of a valid work authorization and necessary documentation to work legally in the United States.
Please note: Due to operational requirements and funding considerations of various divisions/positions, there could be occasions in the future where unit assignments may change. Should this occur, it will not impact your title, salary or location.
We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:
•13 paid holidays, 5 personal days, and a minimum of 13 vacation days per year
•Paid sick leave (CSEA and PEF employees- 13 days; M/C employees- 8 days plus free enrollment into the Income Protection Program for short-term and long-term disability coverage).
•Choice of several affordable and competitive health insurance plans
•Dental and vision insurance plans at no additional cost
•Membership in the NYS Employee’s Retirement System
•NYS Deferred Compensation Investment Plan
•Eligibility to apply for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) (full-time employees)
•Eligibility to apply for tuition reimbursement for qualifying employees and courses
•Paid Parental Leave
Our mission is to provide outstanding services to our customers - the workers and business that call New York home. We help New Yorkers find careers they will love. We build and support New York’s businesses. We empower and protect New York’s workers. To learn more about our mission and the exciting work of the DOL, please visit: https://dol.ny.gov/about-us
DOL is committed to fostering employee engagement and work-life balance. We offer telecommuting and alternative work schedules to eligible employees. Eligible employees may be approved to telecommute, if operationally feasible, up to 2 days per regular work-week, and not to exceed 4 days per two-week pay period. Telecommuting can be discussed at the time of interview. Our exciting training and development opportunities, including Coursera and our formal Employee Recognition Program allow us to develop, recognize, and celebrate our workforce.
Please note that specific benefits and programs may vary based on negotiating unit, current contract, length of State service, and program area.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Fax EFax: 5184742871@fax.ny.gov
Email Address YourDOLJourneyIsHere@labor.ny.gov
Address
State Office Campus, Building 12, Room 561
Notes on ApplyingQualified candidates should copy the below web address into your browser to complete the online application for the Department of Labor.
https://on.ny.gov/apply2dol
Vacancy: 209851
Title: Senior Attorney/Assistant Attorney 1/2/3 (Legislative and Regulatory Affairs)
Location: Albany, Buffalo, NYC (Please indicate your desired location(s))
Please submit a resume and cover letter demonstrating how you meet the minimum
qualifications, including specific experience with dates. It is essential to clearly describe qualifying education and experience when applying; vague or incomplete information may lead to disqualification.
Unofficial transcripts and/or other documents will be required for certain positions as indicated in the minimum qualifications.
All documents must be received by: 3/05/2026
Upload all documents as unlocked and accessible files.
If experiencing difficulties with the above link, please contact:
YourDOLJourneyisHere@labor.ny.gov
Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Department of Labor is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer committed to ensuring equal opportunity for persons with disabilities and workplace diversity.
New York State (NYS) is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. NYS Law prohibits discrimination because of age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, military status, sex, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital status, domestic violence victim status, carrier status, gender identity or prior conviction records, or prior arrests, youthful offender adjudications or sealed records unless based on a bona fide occupational qualification or other exception.
If you are a person with a disability and wish to request that a reasonable accommodation be provided for you to participate in a job interview, please contact: Department of Labor, Attn: Director, Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (ODEIA), Building 12, Albany, NY 12226 (Phone (518) 457-1984 and/or fax (518) 485-2575).