Senior Attorney / Assistant Attorney 1 / 2 / 3 - NY HELPS

Description Duties Description The Senior Attorney will be tasked with providing legal advice and support to DEC staff regarding the application of law and policy to issues related to enforcement and permitting within DEC’s jurisdiction. The responsibilities of the position will serve a variety of DEC programs, including Water, Air Pollution Control, Lands & Forests, Solid Waste, Mining, Remediation, Pesticides, Petroleum Bulk Storage and Spills, Freshwater and Tidal Wetlands, and more.

Job duties include preparing and negotiating administrative Orders on Consent, drafting pleadings and other hearing documents, and representing DEC in mediation and enforcement hearings. Job duties also involve representing DEC staff throughout the permit application review process, including settlement conferences and hearings. The Senior Attorney will work closely with the Office of the New York State Attorney General in both enforcement and defensive matters.

In addition to the Environmental Conservation Law and DEC’s regulations, the Senior Attorney also provides legal support to DEC staff regarding the Freedom of Information Law, State Administrative Procedures Act, and State Environmental Quality Review Act.

Qualifications 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, 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 (within one year of permanent appointment), 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.

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.

Reassignment - Currently in the title and an employee of DEC

Or

Reinstatement Eligible - Previously held the title on a permanent competitive basis or held a title as indicated under the transfer eligible section on a permanent competitive basis

Or

Transfer Eligible - One year of permanent competitive service at Salary Grade 16 or higher and either:

Eligible for transfer under Section 70.4: Must meet the open competitive minimum qualifications below;

Or

Eligible for transfer under Section 52.6: Must have current or prior service in a title designated as 52.6 within two salary grades/one M grade of this position. In addition, you must be a graduate of an accredited law school with an LLB or JD degree and/or be eligible to take the New York State Bar examination. If you are not admitted to the NYS Bar within two years of appointment, your appointment will be terminated.

Or

Eligible for transfer under Section 70.1: Permanent competitive service as a Senior Attorney or Senior Attorney Realty.

55b/c candidates must meet the open-competitive minimum qualifications below and include with their resume or application, a copy of the letter from Civil Service which indicates approval for the 55b/c program.

Open competitive minimum qualifications (provided for 55b/c candidates, 70.4 transfer eligibles, and NYHELPS candidates): graduate of an accredited law school with an LLB or JD degree and/or be eligible to take the NYS Bar examination. If you are not admitted to the NYS Bar within two years of appointment, your appointment will be terminated.

In addition, open competitive candidates are required to have the selective criteria that is listed within the duties description.

If you are on an examination eligible list for the position title, you do not need to respond to this posting unless you are also eligible for appointment by transfer, reinstatement, or reassignment as defined above. The eligible list will be canvassed as appropriate. Always respond to an eligible list canvass.

Additional Comments Actual work schedule, duties and travel requirements may var…