Senior Attorney (NY HELPS)

Duties Description

Under the general direction of a Supervising Attorney and General Counsel, the Senior Attorney will provide legal services to various programs and Regional Offices within the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (Parks), including, but not limited to the following:

• Provide advice and counsel to various program units, including the Marine Services Bureau and Snowmobile Unit.
• Provide legal counsel to the Real Property Bureau and liaise with the Office of the New York State Attorney General to progress easements and land acquisitions, including fee title acquisitions and utility, conservation and trail easements.
• Assist with the review of and response to record requests under the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), including analyzing and researching substantive law regarding FOIL exemptions applicable to records and advising staff on records management practices.
• In consultation with program staff and other staff attorneys, draft various partnership agreements, prepare regulations per the State Administrative Procedure Act, and assist with the agency’s Legislative agenda, including the drafting and reviewing of bills.

Additional Comments

: The Senior Attorney will join a small, but collaborative legal office committed to serving agency staff in the mission of providing safe and enjoyable recreational and interpretive opportunities and to be responsible stewards of our valuable natural, historic and cultural resources.

The duties listed above are main areas of practice envisioned for this position, but other duties may be assigned depending on current legal issues.

To the extent the position may entail land acquisitions and other real property issues, the position may entail travel.

Telecommuting and compressed work schedules are available.

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, 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.

NON-COMPETITIVE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Admission to the NYS bar and two years of post-licensure professional legal experience.

COMPETITIVE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Must be reachable on the appropriate New York State Civil Service eligible list.

70.1/52.6 TRANSFER QUALIFICATIONS:
One year of permanent or contingent permanent in an eligible title for transfer determined to be similar by Civil Service. 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.

It is essential that candidates clearly and concisely indicate exactly how they meet the above minimum qualifications in their resume/email submission. Failure to show how you meet the minimum qualifications above may result in disqualification and removal from consideration.
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.

* *WHEN APPLYING, PLEASE ADVISE HOW YOU MEET THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS* *

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
The Senior Attorney should have prior experience in transactional matters in contract law, or a familiarity with legal matters surrounding governmental procurement and contracting, and a willingness to address associated legal issues, such as information technology and accessibility issues, as they arise. Familiarity with the ADA and the New York State Human Rights law preferred.

Additional Comments

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.
• PEF: 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

Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.

Closing Date/Time: 04/17/25

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• New York State Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation

• 518-474-0453

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