Senior Attorney or Assistant Attorney (NY HELPS)

Description Duties Description Harvest your potential with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets! Join our team and become an integral part of a team dedicated to fostering a competitive food and agriculture industry that benefits both producers and consumers alike. Here, you can cultivate your career in a dynamic environment that values innovation, sustainability, and community engagement. With a wide range of opportunities spanning from environmental science to economic development, you can find your niche in public service and grow both professionally and personally. Embrace the chance to join our team, and you’ll not only reap a fulfilling career but also sow the seeds for a healthier, stronger New York.

Position Information The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is seeking a Senior Attorney or Assistant Attorney to work at their Department Headquarters in Albany, NY. Under the supervision of an Associate Attorney, this position provides a full range of technical legal services in support of Department programs. This position serves as a legal advisor to program administrators, policy analysts, and division staff in the day-to-day operation of these programs, with a primary focus on issues involving the Department’s Division of the State Fair. This position may also work with the Department’s Divisions of Agricultural Development and Land and Water Resources as a legal advisor for the grant programs administered by these divisions. A significant portion of the work will involve providing assistance with the development of procurement documents including Requests for Proposals and Invitations for Bid and reviewing and drafting contracts and MOUs, working with agency staff and the Office of State Comptroller and the Office of the Attorney General as necessary.

The incumbent may prepare legal analyses, memoranda, guidance, and Department position statements related to issues arising from the Department’s administration and enforcement of the Agriculture and Markets Law, as well as issues impacting the state’s agricultural industry in general. The Senior Attorney or Assistant Attorney provides legal review of FOIL requests, including the review of agency records, and identifies and drafts legislative amendments and/or rulemakings which may be necessary or beneficial to achieving the core mission of the Department. The incumbent consults with program managers, obtains program staff input, and provides guidance on legal issues. Additionally, the incumbent researches requests and inquiries from Executive and agency program managers, reviews agency programs from a legal viewpoint, analyzes legislation proposed by others for legal sufficiency and/or its effect on agency programs, and represents the Department in administrative proceedings.

The Senior Attorney or Assistant Attorney is a full-time position working 37.5 hours per week, Monday-Friday. This position is located at 10B Airline Drive, Albany, New York. Our office is conveniently located near the Albany International Airport and offers free parking. Opportunities for telecommuting are available in accordance with the agency’s Telecommuting Program Guidelines.

Salary This position requires the completion of a traineeship leading to Senior Attorney, SG-25; the length of the traineeship will be determined by the credentials and experience possessed by a candidate. The starting salary for each traineeship level can be found below:

• Assistant Attorney 1, NS = Grade 18 ? $66,951/ year, the hiring rate for PEF salary grade (SG) 18
• Assistant Attorney 2, NS = Grade 20 ? $74,193/ year, the hiring rate for PEF salary grade (SG) 20
• Assistant Attorney 3, NS = Grade 22 ? $82,326/ year, the hiring rate for PEF salary grade (SG) 22

Completion of the traineeship will result in permanent advancement to the Senior Attorney, SG-25 (starting salary of $96,336) without further examination. Candidates may be eligible for appointment directly to the Assistant Attorney 2, Assistant Attorney 3, or Senior Attorney level. Minimum qualification details are below.

The candidate appointed at the Senior Attorney, SG-25 level, will be eligible to participate in the New York State Performance Evaluation Program. Through this program, employees receive yearly performance evaluations. Performance advances are payable to PEF employees whose base annual salary is below the job rate for their current posi…