New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

The duties that the incumbent of the vacancy will be expected to perform. Duties Description The incumbent will serve as an Assistant Regional Attorney/Senior Attorney ("ARA") for the Region 6 office and perform the following job duties:

• ARAs provide support to the Regional Attorney on legal matters by managing assigned enforcement cases and responding to questions regarding the interpretation of law, legal procedure, and the legality of proposed actions. The ARA will negotiate and prepare various legal documents including Consent Orders and settlements in various subject areas.
• The ARA will provide legal support to regional staff in accordance with Regional and Departmental priorities and in support of DEC's mission and in conformity with DEC's policies and guidance.

The position will provide enforcement and legal support for a variety of programs including Petroleum Bulk Storage, Bureau of Ecosystem Health, Division of Fish & Wildlife, Division of Water, Division of Air, Lands and Forests, Division of Materials Management (including Mineral Resources, Pesticides, Solid and Hazardous Waste), Division of Environmental Permits, and the Division of Environmental Remediation and Office of Public Protection. For Division of Environmental Permits, the position will involve advising staff and the public regarding Uniform Procedures Act, the State Environmental Quality Review Act, State Administrative Procedures Act, hearing procedures. This position will also support the Bureau of Real Property Services regarding real estate issues, including application of common law related to real property, interpretation of the terms of deeds and easements, and boundary and title disputes. Finally, the position may require support to staff regarding application of the Freedom of Information Law and the Personal Privacy Protection Act.

• The ARA will participate in all aspects of administrative enforcement hearings, including developing case strategy with program staff, preparing pleadings, motions, and other legal documents, attending pre-hearing conferences, and conducting hearings on behalf of DEC.

The successful candidate should have education and/or experience related to environmental law or administrative law. In addition, experience related to real property is also desirable. More weight is afforded to experience in environmental law.

The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate professional excellence and the ability to:

Effectively Manage Assigned Caseload. The ARA will ensure the Regional Attorney is fully informed and involved in decision making regarding case strategy and progress on cases assigned to the ARA. The successful candidate will be able to actively manage workload and available time to complete assignments, comply with deadlines, and fulfill responsibilities as an effective member of the DEC team. The ARA will be efficient, courteous, friendly, and most importantly, fair and consistent in the pursuit of environmental compliance.

• Meet Professional Expectations and Maintain the Quality of the Workplace. The successful candidate will be a positive role model to the public, fellow DEC staff, and other governmental staff. The ARA will arrive at work prepared and be professional, knowledgeable, and patient when interacting with staff, the public and other stakeholders.
• Maintain Confidentiality. The ARA will maintain the strictest standards of confidentiality regarding all oral and written communication and records in the Region and the DEC. The ARA will ensure compliance with professional standards and expectations for confidentiality.
• Effectively Communicate. The successful candidate must effectively communicate orally and in writing with the Regional Attorney, DEC staff, and outside parties, regarding the mission and priorities of DEC. ARAs ensure that DEC responds in a timely and effective manner to communications as directed, and to Regional Attorney requests. The ARA will represent DEC at meetings, conferences, and workshops, as requested or appropriate.
• Ensure Compliance with DEC Policies. All ARAs must adhere to Public Officer, Ethics, and Conflict of Interest laws, rules, regulations, and guidance. The successful candidate will be responsible for becoming familiar with all DEC policies and opportunities and resources available through the training office and EAP. The ARA will stay current with DEC timekeeping and telecommuting policies and ensure all entries are accurate.
• Foster Effective Teams. The successful candidate will Support the Regional Attorney in ensuring that all OGC staff and programs staff function as an integrated component of the Region. ARAs promote and encourage team­oriented problem solving and seek opportunities to highlight compliance successes that reflect positively on OGC and DEC. The ARA will foster a positive attitude to promote and encourage good morale among staff, both within the office and while representing DEC outside the office.

The minimum qualifications required for this vacancy. 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 regarding the vacancy. Additional Comments Travel may be required.

Overtime may be required.

Overnight travel may be required.

Weekends and holidays may be required.

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...

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.

Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.