Special Assistant​/Deputy Counsel

Overview

Duties Description
Working under the direction of the DOS General Counsel, the Deputy Counsel serves as a team leader in the Office of General Counsel, assists in the management of the Department of State (DOS) legal office by providing legal advice to the agency head, and executive and program staff, and supervising professional legal staff within the Office of General Counsel. Specific duties include, but are not limited to:

• Act for the General Counsel in their absence or in case of unavailability as directed by the General Counsel, Secretary of State, Executive Deputy Secretary of State, or their designee.
• Supervise and manage professional legal staff; coordinate assignments with other Bureau/Unit staff and directly assign to same staff; establish performance standards and evaluate performance of same staff; and provide guidance and direction to same staff. Advise General Counsel on promotional decisions and disciplinary issues.
• Advise on issues of litigation, enforcement, E-Discovery, litigation holds and procedures; provide counsel on internal investigations including those involving issues related to the program areas of DLS and NYSAC.
• Represent DOS in actions and proceedings, and at meetings and negotiations related to the agency mission and programs with other governmental entities and outside organizations.
• Prepare or supervise the preparation of legal briefs, petitions, orders, complaints, reports, draft legislation and legislative memos and other legal papers relating to Agency matters.
• Interpret and advise on pertinent laws, rules, regulations, procedures, and decisions.
• Conduct legal research and analysis to respond both orally and in writing to requests for legal decisions and opinions.
• Review potential legislation and legal decisions having an impact on DOS programs.

Minimum Qualifications
A law degree from an accredited law school; admission to, and member in good standing of, the New York State Bar; and seven years of relevant post-bar experience. Eight years of relevant specialized experience. Three years must have been at a managerial level.

• Specialized
  
  Experience:
  
  Experience in litigation, investigative and providing counsel to government or corporate entities.

Preferred Qualifications
Litigation experience in the following areas is preferred:

• Division of Licensing Services (DLS)
• New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC)
• Department of State Litigation & Enforcement Unit
• Department of State Litigation Holds & E-Discovery

Additional Comments
The Department of State is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We encourage women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply. We celebrate diversity and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, veteran status, disability status, arrest record or criminal conviction history, or any other category protected by law.

We are happy to provide reasonable and religious accommodations during the hiring process for those in need. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please send a request to HRM.Recruitment.gov.

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.

NOTE ON TELECOMMUTING:
The Department of State employees may be approved for a maximum of 50% telecommuting, however, they are required to apply and obtain approval through management in accordance with The Department of State Telecommuting Program Guidelines.