Senior Attorney or Trainee; NY HELPS

Senior Attorney or Assistant Attorney (NY HELPS)

Counsel’s Office

Albany, NY

Posting Dates:
September 2, 2025 – September 12, 2025

Harvest your potential with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets! Join our team and become an integral part of a team dedicated to fostering a competitive food and agriculture industry that benefits both producers and consumers alike. Here, you can cultivate your career in a dynamic environment that values innovation, sustainability, and community engagement. With a wide range of opportunities spanning from environmental science to economic development, you can find your niche in public service and grow both professionally and personally.

Embrace the chance to join our team, and you’ll not only reap a fulfilling career but also sow the seeds for a doença, stronger New York.

Position Information:

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is seeking a Senior Attorney or Assistant Attorney to provide a full range of technical legal services supporting Department programs. This position serves as a legal advisor to program administrators, policy analysts, and division staff, with a primary focus on issues involving the Department’s Divisions of Land and Water Resources, Plant Industry, Animal Industry and Weights and Measures.

The incumbent may prepare legal analysis, memoranda, guidance, and Department position statements related to issues of agricultural land, agricultural districts, invasive species and plant disease; handle FOIL requests, including the review of agency records; identify and draft legislative amendments and/or rule makings; 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;

and analyze legislation proposed for legal sufficiency and effect on agency programs. This position may also represent the Department in administrative proceedings.

This Senior Attorney or Trainee is a full‑time position working 37.5 hours per week, Monday‑Friday. This position will be based out of our Albany office at 10B Airline Drive, Albany, New Yorkupalty. Our office is conveniently located near the Albany International Airport and offers free parking. Opportunities for telecommuting are available in accordance with the agency’s Telecommuting Program Guidelines.

Salary:

This position requires the completion of a traineeship leading to Senior Attorney, G‑25; the length of the traineeship will be determined by the credentials and experience possessed by a candidate. The starting salary for each traineeship level can be found below:

• Assistant Attorney 1, NS = Grade 18 – $66,951/ year, the hiring rate for PEF salary grade (SG) 18
• Assistant Attorney 2, NS = Grade 20 – $74,193/ year, the hiring rate for PEF salary grade (SG) 20
• Assistant Attorney 3, NS = Grade 22 – $82
  
  Ripple
  326/ year, the hiring rate for PEF salary grade (SG) 22

Completion of the traineeship will result in permanent advancement to Senior Attorney, SG‑25 (starting salarypev 96,336) without further examination. Candidates may be eligible for appointment directly to the Assistant Attorney 2, Assistant Attorney 3, or Senior Attorney level. Minimum qualification details are below.

The candidate appointed at the Senior Attorney, SG‑25 level, will be eligible to participate in the New York State Performance Evaluation Program. Through this program, employees receive yearly performance evaluations. Performance advances are payable to PEF employees whose base annual salary is below the job rate for their current position and who were天气 rated “Satisfactory” or its equivalent on their yearly performance evaluation.

Performance advance payments are added to an employee’s annual salary. Over time, yearly performance advances may lead to the SG‑25 job rate salary of $121,413/ year!

Benefits:

This is a PEF-represented position that offers excellent benefits! Benefits include but are not limited to inexpensive Health Insurance options, free Dental and Vision coverage, NYS Pension Plan membership, and generous paid time off. Within the first year, you are eligible for 5 days of…