Senior Attorney; NY HELPS

Senior Attorney (NY HELPS) – New York State Department of Motor Vehicles

The Senior Attorney/Assistant Counsel works in the DMV’s Counsel’s Office and provides legal counsel, litigation support and drafting services to agency business units. Responsibilities include representing the agency in state and federal court litigation, defending against discrimination claims, appearing in proceedings and hearings, drafting legislation and regulations, assisting procurements, drafting and reviewing contracts, MOUs, IFBs, and RFPs, researching legal issues, and advising business units on legal matters.

The Senior Attorney also responds to correspondence and inquiries from courts, attorneys, law enforcement, regulated businesses and customers; serves on agency project teams, and may be involved in training court clerks, judges, or law enforcement members.

Candidates with relevant specialized experience may be eligible for an increased hiring rate.

Payment – Base pay range: $96,336.00/yr - $/yr. This range is provided by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles; your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience.

• Senior Attorney (SG-25):
  Admission to NYS Bar and 24 months of subsequent satisfactory legal experience or 12 months as an assistant Attorney 3
• Assistant Attorney 3 (equated to SG-22): 12 months as an Assistant Attorney 2 or Admission to NYS Bar and 12 months, but less than 24 months of post-Bar satisfactory legal experience.
• Assistant Attorney 2 (equated to SG-20):
  Admission to NYS Bar with less than 12 months of post-Bar satisfactory legal experience.
• Assistant Attorney 1 (equated to SG-18):
  Law school graduation and/or eligibility for NYS Bar Admission.

One year of permanent, contingent‑permanent, or 55 B/C service allocated to a Grade 23 or higher eligible for transfer and deemed administrative under Section 52.6 of the Civil Service Law; or in a title approved for transfer under Section 70.1 of Civil Service Law. The transfer cannot be a second consecutive transfer resulting in an advancement of more than two salary grades.

If you previously served in this title or a title otherwise transferable to this title, you may be reinstated pursuant to Civil Service Law. If you left state service less than one year ago, the reinstatement request from a state agency will usually be approved by the Department of Civil Service. If you left state service more than one year ago, the reinstatement must also be approved by the Civil Service Commission.

This position is eligible for 55 B/C designation and candidates with 55 B/C eligibility are encouraged to apply. Candidates must possess the minimum qualifications and a current 55 B/C eligibility letter. For 55 B/C consideration, candidates must satisfy at least one of the Open Competitive qualifications listed. The 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 TAKE A CIVIL SERVICE TEST.

Employees will then be afforded 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.

The preferred candidate should be a highly motivated individual interested in working in public service as part of an active legal team with at least three (3) years’ experience as a New York State Attorney. Preferred qualifications include strong research and writing skills, eagerness to learn new subject areas, demonstrated sound judgment, and excellent oral communication skills.

Telecommuting is allowed up to 50%; details to be discussed…