Closing Date: 11th June, 2026
Description:
Duties DescriptionThe New York State Education Department's (NYSED) Office of the Professions is seeking candidates to fill a Senior Attorney position in the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR). Under the direction of OPR management and a supervising attorney, duties of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:
Minimum Qualifications
- Provide legal assistance to administrative appellate bodies with respect to procedural, substantive, and evidentiary questions;
- Prepare and/or comment upon legislation, rules and regulations governing the professions, and review non-Department legislation of concern to the State Education Department (SED);
- Prepare draft reports for administrative appellate bodies;
- Provide legal assistance to and prepare draft reports in summary suspension proceedings;
- Provide legal assistance to and draft reports in violation of probation proceedings;
- Function as a statutory administrative officer and provide legal assistance to administrative hearing panels, and utilize authority to rule upon all motions, procedures, and other legal objections made prior to administrative hearings;
- Travel throughout New York State and to conduct administrative hearing virtually as a statutory administrative officer to render rulings on all motions, procedures, and other legal objections, subsequent to hearings, as required;
- Prepare draft reports for administrative hearing panels;
- Prepare documents of final SED determinations regarding disciplinary matters;
- Act as a liaison and legal advisor regarding administrative appellate review committee meetings, and assist the Director in the preparation of legal decisions and reports for recommendations resulting from such meetings;
- Respond to requests for information regarding final determinations of hearing panels and/or Board of Regents;
- Respond to subpoenas in pending court proceedings, including necessary appearances before the court; and
- Respond to requests from the Attorney General involving court proceedings.
Minimum Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
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.
NON-COMPETITIVE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
To be considered for appointment through NY HELPS candidates must meet the open-competitive minimum qualifications for this position. The qualifications are:
PROMOTION: Current State employees must have one year of permanent competitive service as an Assistant Attorney 3.
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 Legal Specialties Program eligible list for this title. 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.
Section 70.1 Transfer: Candidates must have one year of permanent competitive or 55b/c service as a 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 deemed eligible to transfer under Section 52.6 of the Civil Service Law. Candidates must also possess the following minimum qualifications to qualify for transfer:
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:
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:
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:
It is essential that candidates clearly and concisely indicate exactly how they meet the above minimum qualifications in their resume. Failure to show how you meet the minimum qualifications above may result in disqualification and removal from consideration.
Additional Comments
- 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 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.
NON-COMPETITIVE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
To be considered for appointment through NY HELPS candidates must meet the open-competitive minimum qualifications for this position. The qualifications are:
- Assistant Attorney 1: Law school graduation (or other eligibility to take the NYS Bar Examination)*
- If you are not admitted to the New York State Bar within two years of appointment, your appointment will be terminated.
- Assistant Attorney 2: Admission to NYS Bar.
- Assistant Attorney 3: One year as Assistant Attorney 2 or admission to the NYS Bar and one year of subsequent professional legal experience.
- Senior Attorney: Admission to the NYS bar and two years of post-licensure professional legal experience.
PROMOTION: Current State employees must have one year of permanent competitive service as an Assistant Attorney 3.
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 Legal Specialties Program eligible list for this title. 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.
Section 70.1 Transfer: Candidates must have one year of permanent competitive or 55b/c service as a 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 deemed eligible to transfer under Section 52.6 of the Civil Service Law. Candidates must also possess the following minimum qualifications to qualify for transfer:
- Possess a Juris Doctorate degree.
- Be admitted to the Bar to practice law in New York state of 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
It is essential that candidates clearly and concisely indicate exactly how they meet the above minimum qualifications in their resume. Failure to show how you meet the minimum qualifications above may result in disqualification and removal from consideration.
Additional Comments
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: This will be a permanent, competitive or a permanent, non-competitive appointment. For 55b/c appointment, candidates must possess the minimum qualifications, a current 55b/c eligibility letter and is subject to verification of applicant eligibility. Promotions and transfers may change appointees' negotiating unit. Candidates should be aware that changes in negotiating units may affect their salary, insurance, and other benefits.
Verification of degree, New York State Bar admission and work experience will be required at the time of interview for all candidates. Candidates are required to possess and maintain admission to the New York State Bar. Continued employment as a Senior Attorney is dependent upon maintaining admission to the New York State Bar. Failure to maintain admission to the New York State Bar will result in removal from employment.
This position allows for the opportunity to telecommute up to 30% each bi-weekly pay period and is granted at the discretion of the supervisor and the appointing office.
This position may be filled as a traineeship. The starting salaries for this position are outlined below. For current New York State employees, salary is based on the candidate's salary at the time of hire. Candidates appointed at the trainee level will be required to successfully complete the traineeship to advance to the full performance level title and salary.
Current starting salaries:
This position leads to a maximum salary of $121,413 based on annual performance advances and traineeship advances. For new State employees appointed to graded positions, the annual salary is the hiring rate (beginning of the Salary Range) of the position. Promotion salaries are calculated by the NYS Office of the State Comptroller in accordance with NYS Civil Service Law, OSC Payroll rules and regulations and negotiated union contracts.
APPLICATION: Qualified candidates should send a resume and letter of interest by June 11, 2026 to OPJOBS@nysed.gov (email submissions are preferred). Your resume must clearly indicate how you meet the minimum qualifications for this position. You must include the Box number (OP-2003/19937) of the position in the subject line of your email and cover letter to ensure receipt of your application. Links to application materials will not be accepted (i.e., Google Docs). Your social security number may be required to confirm your eligibility.
New York State Education Department (NYSED) is an equal opportunity/affirmative action emp
Verification of degree, New York State Bar admission and work experience will be required at the time of interview for all candidates. Candidates are required to possess and maintain admission to the New York State Bar. Continued employment as a Senior Attorney is dependent upon maintaining admission to the New York State Bar. Failure to maintain admission to the New York State Bar will result in removal from employment.
This position allows for the opportunity to telecommute up to 30% each bi-weekly pay period and is granted at the discretion of the supervisor and the appointing office.
This position may be filled as a traineeship. The starting salaries for this position are outlined below. For current New York State employees, salary is based on the candidate's salary at the time of hire. Candidates appointed at the trainee level will be required to successfully complete the traineeship to advance to the full performance level title and salary.
Current starting salaries:
- $66,951 (Assistant Attorney 1- NS equated to SG-18)
- $74,193 (Assistant Attorney 2- NS equated to SG-20)
- $82,326 (Assistant Attorney 3- NS equated to SG-22)
- $96,336 (Senior Attorney/Full Performance level SG-25)
This position leads to a maximum salary of $121,413 based on annual performance advances and traineeship advances. For new State employees appointed to graded positions, the annual salary is the hiring rate (beginning of the Salary Range) of the position. Promotion salaries are calculated by the NYS Office of the State Comptroller in accordance with NYS Civil Service Law, OSC Payroll rules and regulations and negotiated union contracts.
APPLICATION: Qualified candidates should send a resume and letter of interest by June 11, 2026 to OPJOBS@nysed.gov (email submissions are preferred). Your resume must clearly indicate how you meet the minimum qualifications for this position. You must include the Box number (OP-2003/19937) of the position in the subject line of your email and cover letter to ensure receipt of your application. Links to application materials will not be accepted (i.e., Google Docs). Your social security number may be required to confirm your eligibility.
New York State Education Department (NYSED) is an equal opportunity/affirmative action emp
