Senior Attorney or Assistant Attorney (NY HELPS)

About the role

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets seeks a Senior Attorney or Assistant Attorney to support various divisions within the department. The position involves providing legal advice and handling administrative proceedings.

Responsibilities

• Prepare legal analysis, memoranda, guidance, and Department position statements related to agricultural land, districts, invasive species, and plant diseases.
• Handle Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests, including reviewing agency records.
• Identify and draft legislative amendments and/or rulemakings.
• Consult with program managers and obtain program staff input to provide guidance on legal issues.
• Research requests and inquiries from executive managers and agency program managers.
• Analyze legislation proposed for legal sufficiency and effect on agency programs.
• Represent the Department in administrative proceedings.

Requirements

• Admission to the NYS bar and two years of post-licensure professional legal experience.
• Specialized requirements: 3 months to less than 1 year of Government Administrative Law Experience in Grants and Government Contracts and Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs); AND at least novice experience in Advisory Memoranda, Contract Drafting, Review, and Analysis.

Qualifications

• One year as Assistant Attorney 3 or admission to the NYS Bar and two years of post-licensure professional legal experience for the Senior Attorney, SG-25.
• One year as Assistant Attorney 2 or admission to the NYS Bar and one year of subsequent professional legal experience for the Assistant Attorney 2, NS.
• One year as Assistant Attorney 1, NS or law school graduation (or other eligibility to take the NYS Bar Examination) for the Assistant Attorney 1, NS.

Benefits

• Inexpensive Health Insurance options.
• Free Dental and Vision coverage.
• NYS Pension Plan membership.
• Generous paid time off.
• Potential participation in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).

Pay

This position requires the completion of a traineeship leading to Senior Attorney, SG-25; the starting salary for each traineeship level can be found below:

• Assistant Attorney 1, NS = Grade 18 à $66,951/year
• Assistant Attorney 2, NS = Grade 20 à $74,193/year
• Assistant Attorney 3, NS = Grade 22 à $82,326/year

Completion of the traineeship results in permanent advancement to the Senior Attorney, SG-25 (starting salary of $96,336) without further examination.

Schedule

The Senior Attorney or Assistant Attorney is a full-time position working 37.5 hours per week, Monday-Friday.