Senior Attorney, Assistant Attorney 1 (NY Helps)

Ny Helps
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 maybe 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 this time, agencies may recruit and hire employees by making temporary appointments. In May 2024, if a temporary NY HELPS employee is satisfactorily performing in the position, the appointment will be changed from temporary pending Civil Service Commission Action to permanent non-competitive and the official probationary period will begin.

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.

Non-Competitive Minimum Qualifications:
To be considered for appointment through NY HELPS, or 55 b/c, candidates must meet the open-competitive minimum qualifications for this position. The qualifications are:

• Assistant Attorney 1: Law School graduation AND/OR eligibility for NYS Bar Admission*
• If you are not admitted to the New York State Bar within two years of appointment, your appointment will be terminated.
• Assistant Attorney 2: NYS Bar Admission
• Assistant Attorney 3: One year as an Assistant Attorney 2 OR NYS Bar Admission AND possess 1 year of subsequent professional Legal experience.
• Senior Attorney: Possess a Juris Doctorate degree AND NYS Bar Admission AND possess at least 2 years of post-licensure professional Legal experience.

Competitive Minimum Qualifications:
Reassignment: Candidates must have one year of permanent competitive or 55b/c service as a Senior Attorney.

Eligible List Appointment: Candidates must be reachable on the Civil Service eligible list for these titles. If you are on the Civil Service eligible list for this title, you may receive a canvass letter. You must complete and return it as instructed on the letter. Information about the examination and minimum qualifications for this title series can be found at: https://www.cs.ny.gov/announarchive/announcements/20-620.cfm

Section 70.1 Transfer to Senior Attorney: Candidates must have one year of permanent competitive or 55b/c service in any of the following titles: Senior Attorney (Realty).

Section 52.6 Transfer to Senior Attorney: Candidates must have one year of permanent competitive or 55b/c service in a title allocated SG-23 or higher eligible to transfer under Section 52.6 of the Civil Service Law. Candidates must also meet the following minimum qualifications to transfer:

• Possess a Juris Doctorate degree
• Be admitted to the Bar to practice law in New York State or in a state with Bar reciprocity
• Possess at least 2 years of subsequent satisfactory Legal experience

For information regarding the transfer options of your current title, please visit the Civil Service Career Mobility Office Website. https://careermobilityoffice.cs.ny.gov/cmo/gotit/title-search/index.cfm

55b/c Appointment to Assistant Attorney 1: This position is eligible for 55b/c designation and is subject to verification of applicant eligibility. Candidates must possess a current 55b/c eligibility letter and the following minimum qualifications:

• Law School graduation AND/OR eligibility for NYS Bar Admission*
• If you are not admitted to the New York State Bar within two years of appointment, your appointment will be terminated.

55b/c Appointment to Assistant Attorney 2: This position is eligible for 55b/c designation and is subject to verification of applicant eligibility. Candidates must possess a current 55b/c eligibility letter and the following minimum qualifications:
NYS Bar Admission

55b/c Appointment to Assistant Attorney 3: This position is eligible for 55b/c designation and is subject to verification of applicant eligibility. Candidates must possess a current 55b/c eligibility letter and the following minimum qualifications:

• NYS Bar Admission AND
• Possess 1 year of subsequent satisfactory Legal experience

55b/c Appointment to Senior Attorney: This position is eligible for 55b/c designation and is subject to verification of applicant eligibility. Candidates must possess a current 55b/c eligibility letter and ALL of the following minimum qualifications:

• Possess a Juris Doctorate degree AND
• NYS Bar Admission AND
• Possess at least 2 years of subsequent satisfactory Legal experience

Duties Description

A Government Entity is seeking candidates for a Senior Attorney position in the Office of Counsel. Duties of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provide legal advice and counsel and assist in the drafting and review of Department regulations and guidance;
• Serve as the Counsel's liaison and assigned attorney to one or more Department programs, likely to include the Child Nutrition Program and Office of Bilingual Education and World Languages, developing knowledge and expertise concerning the federal and State laws and regulations that implement such programs;
• Perform necessary research and draft proposed decisions in appeals of actions or decisions of local school district officials brought to the Commissioner for resolution under Education Law 306 and 310 and other related appeal processes;
• Provide effective and necessary assistance to the Attorney General (AG) in litigation handled by the AG and provide effective representation in litigation and administrative proceedings handled by the Department's Office of Counsel;
• Respond to and/or coordinate responses to subpoenas and Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests, as assigned;
• Review and prepare recommendations on complex legislative proposals developed both within and outside of the Department;
• Perform a variety of legal services, with minimal supervision, including legal research, preparing legal briefs, negotiating and preparing legal documents and similar functions; and
• Handle special assignments as requested by the Counsel or management team.