Senior Attorney / Assistant Attorney 1 / 2 / 3 - NY ...

NY HELP Yes Agency Environmental Conservation, Department of Title Senior Attorney / Assistant Attorney 1 / 2 / 3 - NY HELPS Occupational Category Legal Salary Grade NS Bargaining Unit PS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF) Salary Range From $66951 to $121413 Annually Employment Type Full-Time Appointment Type Contingent Permanent Jurisdictional Class Competitive Class Travel Percentage 0% Workweek Mon-Fri Hours Per Week 37.5 Workday From 8 AM To 4 PM Flextime allowed? No Mandatory overtime? No Compressed workweek allowed? No Telecommuting allowed? Yes County Albany Street Address 625 Broadway City Albany State NY Zip Code 12233 Duties Description The Senior Attorney (SG-25) is a position in the Bureau of Climate, Air, and Energy in the Office of General Counsel in the Climate Investment and Market Programs Section. The Senior Attorney will primarily provide legal support for the ongoing implementation of the State's Climate Change Superfund Act (S.2129-B) (Climate Superfund Act). Such work will include the development and subsequent enforcement of regulations to establish a program by which past polluters are identified and required to submit payments to fund essential infrastructure projects to prepare the state for the devastating effects of climate change. The successful candidate will be responsible for providing legal counsel regarding regulations, programs, and policies to implement and enforce the statutory directives contained in the Climate Superfund Act. Such implementation may also include representing the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (Department) in various administrative proceedings involving Department regulations, programs, and policies.With respect to the implementation of the Climate Superfund Act and other climate change-related initiatives, the Senior Attorney will provide legal and regulatory support for various climate-, air-, and energy-related initiatives and provide advice to Department staff regarding permitting and enforcement matters. This will include, but is not limited to, providing statutory interpretations, ensuring compliance with relevant requirements with respect to rule making, providing advice regarding legal risk or vulnerabilities associated with potential policies under consideration, working with other agencies within the State and other state governments to develop legal strategies to address climate change, and developing programs and policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase climate resilience. The Senior Attorney will assist with rule makings and programs, such as Climate Superfund Act, Clean Air Initiative, Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, and implementation of such regulations and programs. Additionally, the Senior Attorney will provide advice to Department staff interpretating relevant portions of the Environmental Conservation Law. The Senior Attorney may also be called upon to assist with rule makings and other projects within the program areas of the Bureau of Climate, Air, and Energy. The description of the duties for this position and approximate percentage of time for each duty follows. 30% Legal Advice - Provides timely legal advice to Department programs, Executive staff, and Office of General Counsel management regarding climate change, air resources, and energy-related matters, as assigned.u2022 Acquires and maintains foundation in applicable State and federal laws, rules, and regulations, Department policy, and applicable State and federal decisions.u2022 Meets with the Section Chief for Climate Investment and Market Programs and Bureau Chief, and other Office of General Counsel management to discuss legal issues. u2022 Meets with Office of Climate Change, Division of Air Resources, and other program staff to review facts and desired objectives. u2022 Identifies potential issues or problem areas and provides recommendations. u2022 Provides counsel to staff in multiple programs and regions in understanding regulatory requirements, identifying potential issues, and recognizing the potential precedential impact of decisions. u2022 Reviews and provides comment on program-related guidance, memoranda, policy statements, and other documents. u2022 Responds to inquiries regarding interpretation of applicable laws and procedures, including regarding the Climate Change Superfund Act, Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, State Environmental Quality Review Act, State Administrative Procedure Act, and Uniform Procedures Act. u2022 Reviews program-related documents in response to Freedom of Information Law requests or discovery or other information requests. 30% Legal Research and Preparation of Legal Documents - Conducts legal research and prepares legal documents, including litigation or adjudication papers, legal memoranda, and other recommendations, on issues related to climate change, energy, and air resources. u2022 Conducts legal research of novel areas of law in areas such as potential regulation of greenhouse gases, or policies to adapt to climate change. u2022 Reviews and edits documents to ensure compliance with applicable laws and avoid potential legal problems.u2022 Assists in the development of regulatory documents, including in support of the Office of Climate Change and Division of Air Resources.u2022 Drafts letters, legal memoranda, and other documents in support of both existing and anticipated programs to protect the State's resources and the environment.u2022 Assists in the preparation of comments regarding proposed federal regulations, as well as State and federal legislation, in order to support the Department's interests.10% Negotiations - Represents the Department in settlement negotiations regarding Climate Superfund Act and other Bureau matters.u2022 Conducts legal and factual research to become familiar with cases and their value as precedent.u2022 Meets with relevant office programs, chiefly Division of Air Resources, to review facts and explore potential areas of settlement and negotiation strategies.u2022 Develops strategy for case in consultation with appropriate staff.u2022 Consults with principals and executives regarding the direction of a case, the ability to settle regarding certain issues, and the potential impact and consistency of decisions on Departmental policies.u2022 Meets with outside parties to represent the Department's interests in negotiations.30% Hearings and Litigation - Represents the Department in administrative/adjudicatory proceedings before the Department and other state or Federal agencies, and serves as liaison attorney with the Office of the Attorney General in cases that reach litigation.u2022 Researches law and facts for each case.u2022 Prepares and coordinates filing/service of documents, including briefs and other materials, for each proceeding.u2022 Assists the Office of the Attorney General in any resulting litigation, including through the preparation of documents, compiling of records, and explanation of programmatic impacts.u2022 Coordinates Department staff assigned to a particular case, including in providing input from multiple Departmental program areas, explaining staffu2019s role in the process, and serving as primary point of contact to represent the Department.u2022 Represents the Department at hearing, including through direct and cross-examination of witnesses.u2022 Prepares Department staff to serve as witnesses, including in the development of pre-filed testimony as well as direct, and cross-examination.u2022 Ensures compliance with numerous environmental laws implemented by the Department in the context of administrative hearings and litigation.u2022 Maintain a good working relationship internally and with other partners and stakeholders, including the Office of the Attorney General. u2022 Ensure that the Departmentu2019s perspective, policies, and goals are considered in developing litigation strategy. 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:u2022 Holiday & Paid Time Offu2022 Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)u2022 Pension from New York State Employeesu2019 Retirement Systemu2022 Shift & Geographic pay differentialsu2022 Affordable Health Care optionsu2022 Family dental and vision benefits at no additional costu2022 NYS Deferred Compensation planu2022 Access to NY 529 and NY ABLE College Savings Programs, and U.S. Savings Bondsu2022 And many more...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.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.Please be advised, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation does not use E-Verify, and we are unable to provide sponsorship for employment visa statuses (i.e. H-1B, Self-Sponsorship, STEM OPT). Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity. Name Megan Miller Telephone 518-402-9273 Fax 518-402-9038 Email Address Address Street 625 Broadway City Albany State NY Zip Code 12233 Notes on Applying Please email/mail your resume to the above. Be sure to include Vacancy #26-208431 when applying to this position or your application may not be accepted. Please include a copy of your transcript. Unofficial copy is acceptable.

Created: 2026-02-02