Closing Date: 22nd October, 2026

Description:

Duties Description
This position is in Counsel's Office and is supervised by the General Counsel. This position will support the General Counsel in the agency's legal, policy, implementation, training and technical assistance work.

The Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV), created in 1992, is the country's only executive level state agency dedicated to the issue of gender-based violence. The Assistant Counsel will join a small but collaborative office committed to supporting survivors through policy, education and programming. This position requires the candidate to work independently and as part of the Office's Senior Staff team, possess sound judgment, a high degree of confidentiality, strong verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities at one time.

Duties include but are not limited to:
  • Assist with legal matters on a variety of topics including gender-based violence law and policy; Title IX compliance; grants administration; the drafting of contracts, agreements, and memoranda; handling adjudicatory proceedings and litigation; analysis, drafting, and responding to legislation; assisting in investigations and compliance. Tasks may include research and writing, document development and review, and staying up to date on changes to relevant laws and regulations.
  • Advise OPDV on general legal and topical issues, best practices, and other matters related to all areas impacting victims of gender-based violence and the systems that provide services to them.
  • Review and draft informal and formal comments on existing and proposed legislation, regulations, rules, policies, and procedures related to the provision of services to victims of domestic and gender-based violence to suggest improvements or additions, including working with local stakeholders and other state agencies having oversight over any local system and identifying any gaps or future needs.
  • Assist in development of training, technical assistance, policy and programming for attorneys and courts, including cross-agency and interdisciplinary work with the NYS Office of Court Administration, other NYS state agencies, district attorneys, civil legal service providers, gender-based violence providers, and others.
  • Assist with an ongoing assessment of local, state, and federal legislation, regulations, and court decisions impacting gender-based violence, and/or related areas.
  • Serve as the agency's Ethics and FOIL Officer.
  • Administer and monitor the agency's law school contracts for family violence litigation clinics.
  • Draft and deliver training to various audiences on legal issues impacting survivors of gender-based violence.
  • Assistant Counsel may handle other work as necessary, including supervision of staff.

Minimum Qualifications
Admission to, and member in good standing of, the New York State Bar and two years of subsequent professional legal experience.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Strong interpersonal and writing skills are required in addition to project management skills.
  • Candidates must have a working knowledge of domestic and gender-based violence issues.
  • Experience with Title IX/Article 129-b.
  • Criminal investigation or prosecution experience is desired but not required.

Note: In Order to Award the Proper Credit for Work Experience, Resumes Must Include Month and Year for Start and End Dates. if Any of This Experience Is Less than Full Time You Must Indicate the Average Number of Hours Worked per Week.

Additional Comments
Note:
  • Travel May Be Required (approximately 20%), Including During Evening and Weekends, Depending on Mission and Assignment.
  • Possession and Maintenance of A Valid Driver's License Issued by The Nys Department of Motor Vehicle Is Required or Otherwise Demonstrate the Capacity to Meet the Transportation Needs of The Job.

Note on Telecommuting: Opdv Employees May Be Approved for A Maximum of 40% Telecommuting; However, They Are Required to Apply and Obtain Approval from Management to Telecommute in Accordance with The Agency's Telecommuting Program Guidelines.

The Office for The Prevention of Domestic Violence (opdv) Is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and We Recognize that Diversity in Our Workforce Is Critical to Fulfilling Our Mission. We Are Committed to The Diversity of Our Staff and Encourage Applicants from All Communities to Apply.

Opdv Provides Reasonable Accommodation to Applicants with Disabilities. if You Need a Reasonable Accommodation for Any Part of The Application and Hiring Process, Please Notify the Ogs Office of Human Resources via Email at R Ainquiries@ogs.Ny.Gov.

The Nys Office for The Prevention of Domestic Violence Does Not Participate in E-Verify and Is Presently Unable to Sponsor Visa Applications.

The Office of General Services Provides Human Resources Support for The Office for The Prevention of Domestic Violence. to Apply for This Vacancy, Candidates Must Email a Detailed Resume Providing Specific, Verifiable Information About Their Qualifying Experience to H Rresumes@ogs.Ny.Gov and They Must Reference the Above Posting Number. This Must Be Received in The Ogs Division of Human Resources Management by The Closing Date, or Your Response Will Not Be Considered.

New York State Is an Equal Opportunity/affirmative Action Employer.

Some Positions May Require Additional Credentials or A Background Check to Verify Your Identity.