Review Vacancy
AgencyParks, Recreation & Historic Preservation, Office of
Bargaining UnitPS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF)
Salary RangeFrom $112528 to $138203 Annually
"Other" Explanation Monday-Friday. Work hours will be 8AM to 4PM, 8:30AM to 4:30PM, or 9AM to 5PM.
Workday
Duties Description The Office of the General Counsel in the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) provides legal advice, assistance, and guidance to Agency programs and administrative support divisions. State Parks’ programs and divisions are as varied as its many parks and historic sites. They include Business Innovation, Capital Projects, Concessions, Emergency Management, Environmental Stewardship and Planning, Finance, Grants, Health & Safety, Historic Preservation, Marine Services, Park Police, Partnerships, Real Property, and the New York State Snowmobile Program, among others.
Attorneys within the Office of the General Counsel perform the following general tasks: provide legal counsel and recommendations to Executive and management teams; communicating legal advice to State Parks’ staff; draft, review and approve contracts; assist in development of internal policies and procedures; develop legislative and regulatory proposals; interpret laws, rules, regulations and policies; conduct legal research; analyze legal opinions, briefs, and other documents; and advise on Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests, ethics inquiries, and litigation demands.
Under the direction of the General Counsel, the candidate will provide legal services and support to multiple divisions and programs within State Parks including but not limited to program areas focused on park operations. The primary duties may include:
• Advise agency personnel in connection with concession relationships for those entities providing services within State Parks. Review and/or draft related concession agreements.
• Support bureau responsible for capital projects, including reviewing and drafting supporting agreements. Ensuring related agreements and procurements are consistent with the requirements of the Office of the State Comptroller. Assist in ensuring capital projects are consistent with applicable code requirements.
• Support the bureau responsible for procurement for the agency, including ensuring compliance with all state procurement guidelines, requirements of the Office of the State Comptroller. Ensure all agreements are consistent with the requirements of the Office of State Controller.
• Assist agency staff with obtaining contract approvals, addressing contract compliance, resolving disputes, and dealing with non-responsive and non-responsible contractors.
• Support regional offices in managing and documenting their relationships with partnership groups providing services, stewardship and support to individual parks throughout the State Park system.
• Assist in audit and compliance actions for assigned program areas; review and advise on policies, procedures, guidance, and litigation related to assigned program areas, and research novel legal issues to provide recommended courses of action.
• Provide subject matter supervision to senior attorneys in assigned program areas, including training and the review and discussion of applicable laws.
• Review and comment on proposed legislation affecting Agency programs and operations and participate in the drafting of Agency regulations in compliance with SAPA requirements.
• Provide legal research and guidance on other program areas and topics as requested.
• Assist in managing and mentoring junior lawyers within the department.
Minimum Qualifications FOR PERMANENT APPOINTMENT:
To be considered for permanent appointment, candidates must be reachable on the current Civil Service eligible list for this title or be eligible for reinstatement or transfer in accordance with Civil Service law.
Note: The transfer cannot be a second consecutive transfer resulting in an advancement of more than two salary grades. A comprehensive list of titles approved for transfer is available through Civil Service GOT-IT at https://careermobilityoffice.cs.ny.gov/cmo/gotit/.
FOR PERMANENT APPOINTMENT VIA SECTION 52.7 (NCP):
In accordance with Section 52.7 of the Civil Service Law, this notice advises all employees of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) of its intention to conduct a non-competitive promotion (NCP) to the position of Associate Attorney with the Office of the General Counsel in the Albany main office.
A permanent appointment may be made via NCP of an applicant from the established promotion field who meets the position's minimum qualifications if all requirements of an NCP are met. Said requirements include that there three or fewer qualified candidates from within the promotion field interested in the position who meet the promotion minimum qualifications.
The promotion field for the Associate Attorney position consists of OPRHP employees who have one year of permanent competitive, non-competitive (NY HELPS), or 55b/c service as a Senior Attorney or Senior Attorney (Various Parenthetics).
Please Note: In order to be considered for appointment via non-competitive promotion, candidates serving in the established promotion field must not have failed the last two holdings of the Associate Attorney promotion exam.
FOR PROVISIONAL APPOINTMENT:
In the absence of a viable eligible list with three or more candidates willing to accept appointment a provisional appointment may be considered. For a provisional appointment candidates must have one year of permanent competitive, non-competitive (NY HELPS), or 55b/c service as a Senior Attorney and/or Senior Attorney (Various Parenthetics). The appointed candidate must take, pass and be reachable on the next holding of the examination to be appointed permanently.
NOTE: 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.
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.
Additional Comments Preferred Qualifications:
Prior experience in advising a government agency, or a familiarity with legal matters surrounding governmental operations and programming, including policy drafting, contracting, and regulatory writing, and a willingness to address associated legal issues, as they arise is preferred but not required.
Up to 50% telecommuting is negotiable after a 90-day evaluation period.
BENEFITS:
Generous benefits package, worth approximately 65% of salary, including:
Paid Time Off:
• 44 days - 13 Vacation days, 13 Sick days, and 5 Personal Leave days, 13 Holidays.
• Three (3) days of professional leave annually to participate in professional development.
Health Care Benefits:
• Eligible employees and dependents can pick from a variety of affordable health insurance programs.
• Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost.
Additional Benefits:
• New York State Employees’ Retirement System (ERS) Membership
• NYS Deferred Compensation
• Access to NY 529 and NY ABLE College Savings Programs, as well as U.S. Savings Bonds
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Paid Parental Leave
To learn more about our benefits, visit: https://parks.ny.gov/employment/benefits.aspx
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Email Address Employment@parks.ny.gov
Address
Street Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
Notes on ApplyingWhen applying, provide cover letter explaining how your experience will prepare you to succeed in the position, a resume, and three professional references.
All documents must be received by March 20, 2026, and submitted via email to employment@parks.ny.gov.
Please use the email subject line: Associate Attorney - VID210969.
Failure to do so may result in a delay of processing your application.
If you have previous or current employment at a NYS agency, to be considered for this position, a review of your state history is needed. Please provide the last four digits of your social security number in your email response or on your resume. If you are not comfortable providing this information in your response, a representative from our office may contact you.