What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Attorney / Assistant Attorney 1 / 2 / 3 - NY HELPS position at NYS Department of Environmental Conservation?
Description
Duties Description
The Office of General Counsel’s (OGC) Corporate Bureau is seeking a Senior Attorney to serve at the Records Access Officer (RAO) for the Department. The RAO oversees the FOIL activities for the Department, which includes Central Office and its nine Regional Offices. They assist with tracking and responding to requests, in addition to reviewing responsive records. The RAO advises staff and management on various legal issues and provides guidance related to statutory requirements in Public Officers Law. They prepare Article 78 litigation papers and work with the Attorney General’s Office.
The RAO provides regular trainings and holds monthly meetings with the various FOIL Coordinators in Central Office and the nine Regional Offices to ensure consistency, point out relevant issues and answer questions. They also run weekly meetings with Executive staff and assist the FOIL Appeals Officer as needed.
The main roles of the RAO include a sound understanding of FOIL and the Public Officers Law, being a sounding board for various legal issues that arise, and providing staff with sound legal direction that ensures consistency and accuracy. The RAO needs to keep the Records Access Office running smoothly and efficiently. Annually, the Department receives over 16,000 FOIL requests.
The RAO must be comfortable with public speaking and providing training. The RAO must be approachable, willing to problem-solve and be comfortable giving direction to all levels of staffing. They must also gain a comprehensive understanding of the various programs within DEC, and its overall structure, in order to efficiently and effectively manage the FOIL Office.
Qualifications
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 (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.
Position may be filled at the Senior Attorney level or one within the Legal Traineeship appointment levels. Appointment title will be dependent upon qualifications of candidate selected.
Reassignment - Currently in the title and an employee of DEC Or
Reinstatement Eligible - Previously held the title on a permanent competitive basis or held a title as indicated under the transfer eligible section on a permanent competitive basis
OR
Transfer Eligible - One year of permanent competitive service at Salary Grade 16 or higher and either:
Eligible for transfer under Section 70.4: Must meet the open competitive minimum qualifications below;
Or
Eligible for transfer under Section 52.6: Must have current or prior service in a title designated as 52.6 within two salary grades/one M grade of this position. In addition, you must be a graduate of an accredited law school with an LLB or JD degree and/or be eligible to take the New York State Bar examination. If you are not admitted to the NYS Bar within two years of appointment, your appointment will be terminated.
OR
Eligible for transfer under Section 70.1: Permanent competitive service as a Senior Attorney or Senior Attorney Realty.
55b/c candidates must meet the open-competitive minimum qualifications below and include with their resume or application, a copy of the letter from Civil Service which indicates approval for the 55b/c program.
Open competitive minimum qualifications (provided for 55b/c candidates, 70.4 transfer eligibles, and NYHELPS candidates): graduate of an accredited law school with an LLB or JD degree and/or be eligible to take the NYS Bar examination. If you are not admitted to the NYS Bar within two years of appointment, your appointment will be terminated.
In addition, open competitive candidates are required to have the selective criteria that is listed within the duties description.
If you are on an examination eligible list for the position title, you do not need to respond to this posting unless you are also eligible for appointment by transfer, reinstatement, or reassignment as defined above. The eligible list will be canvassed as appropriate. Always respond to an eligible list canvass.
Additional Comments
Telecommuting may be available, will be discussed at interview.
We offer a work-life balance and a generous benefits package, worth 65% of salary, including:
The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Our work would not be possible without the diverse backgrounds, experiences, ideas, and abilities of our employees. DEC is committed to developing a workforce which represents the diverse population of New York State. DEC embraces a diverse and inclusive work environment by encouraging all individuals, including those with disabilities, to apply to open positions at the agency.
Duties Description
The Office of General Counsel’s (OGC) Corporate Bureau is seeking a Senior Attorney to serve at the Records Access Officer (RAO) for the Department. The RAO oversees the FOIL activities for the Department, which includes Central Office and its nine Regional Offices. They assist with tracking and responding to requests, in addition to reviewing responsive records. The RAO advises staff and management on various legal issues and provides guidance related to statutory requirements in Public Officers Law. They prepare Article 78 litigation papers and work with the Attorney General’s Office.
The RAO provides regular trainings and holds monthly meetings with the various FOIL Coordinators in Central Office and the nine Regional Offices to ensure consistency, point out relevant issues and answer questions. They also run weekly meetings with Executive staff and assist the FOIL Appeals Officer as needed.
The main roles of the RAO include a sound understanding of FOIL and the Public Officers Law, being a sounding board for various legal issues that arise, and providing staff with sound legal direction that ensures consistency and accuracy. The RAO needs to keep the Records Access Office running smoothly and efficiently. Annually, the Department receives over 16,000 FOIL requests.
The RAO must be comfortable with public speaking and providing training. The RAO must be approachable, willing to problem-solve and be comfortable giving direction to all levels of staffing. They must also gain a comprehensive understanding of the various programs within DEC, and its overall structure, in order to efficiently and effectively manage the FOIL Office.
Qualifications
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 (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.
Position may be filled at the Senior Attorney level or one within the Legal Traineeship appointment levels. Appointment title will be dependent upon qualifications of candidate selected.
Reassignment - Currently in the title and an employee of DEC Or
Reinstatement Eligible - Previously held the title on a permanent competitive basis or held a title as indicated under the transfer eligible section on a permanent competitive basis
OR
Transfer Eligible - One year of permanent competitive service at Salary Grade 16 or higher and either:
Eligible for transfer under Section 70.4: Must meet the open competitive minimum qualifications below;
Or
Eligible for transfer under Section 52.6: Must have current or prior service in a title designated as 52.6 within two salary grades/one M grade of this position. In addition, you must be a graduate of an accredited law school with an LLB or JD degree and/or be eligible to take the New York State Bar examination. If you are not admitted to the NYS Bar within two years of appointment, your appointment will be terminated.
OR
Eligible for transfer under Section 70.1: Permanent competitive service as a Senior Attorney or Senior Attorney Realty.
55b/c candidates must meet the open-competitive minimum qualifications below and include with their resume or application, a copy of the letter from Civil Service which indicates approval for the 55b/c program.
Open competitive minimum qualifications (provided for 55b/c candidates, 70.4 transfer eligibles, and NYHELPS candidates): graduate of an accredited law school with an LLB or JD degree and/or be eligible to take the NYS Bar examination. If you are not admitted to the NYS Bar within two years of appointment, your appointment will be terminated.
In addition, open competitive candidates are required to have the selective criteria that is listed within the duties description.
If you are on an examination eligible list for the position title, you do not need to respond to this posting unless you are also eligible for appointment by transfer, reinstatement, or reassignment as defined above. The eligible list will be canvassed as appropriate. Always respond to an eligible list canvass.
Additional Comments
Telecommuting may be available, will be discussed at interview.
We offer a work-life balance and a generous benefits package, worth 65% of salary, including:
- Holiday & Paid Time Off
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
- Pension from New York State Employees’ Retirement System
- Shift & Geographic pay differentials
- Affordable Health Care options
- Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost
- NYS Deferred Compensation plan
- Access to NY 529 and NY ABLE College Savings Programs, and U.S. Savings Bonds
- And many more...
The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Our work would not be possible without the diverse backgrounds, experiences, ideas, and abilities of our employees. DEC is committed to developing a workforce which represents the diverse population of New York State. DEC embraces a diverse and inclusive work environment by encouraging all individuals, including those with disabilities, to apply to open positions at the agency.
Salary : $66,951 - $121,413
