Senior Attorney

Duties

The Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) is New York State’s higher education student financial aid agency, awarding nearly $1 billion in financial aid to more than 330,000 students each year. HESC helps New Yorkers pay for college through the administration of New York’s Tuition Assistant Program (TAP) and more than 25 other scholarship and loan forgiveness programs.

Under the direction of an Associate Attorney and General Counsel, attorneys may be assigned the following duties:

• Provide legal advice to HESC’s Executive Staff, managers, and administrators on issues that impact HESC’s mission and student financial aid programs.
• Assist in the procurement process by reviewing and/or drafting contracts and MOUs, working with agency staff and the Office of State Comptroller and the Office of the Attorney General as necessary.
• Research and respond to inquiries from legislative staff regarding constituents and reply to executive correspondence on behalf of the agency.
• In consultation with the General Counsel and the Office of the Attorney General, develop the agency position and strategy for responding to litigation.
• Review and respond to bankruptcy filings using PACER and provide guidance to staff related to bankruptcy matters.
• Assist on other special projects and assignments as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

NOTE:

HESC’s business hours require working between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

This position may be eligible for 55b/c designation and candidates with 55b/c eligibility are encouraged to apply. Candidates must possess the minimum qualifications and a current 55b/c eligibility letter. For 55b/c consideration, candidates must satisfy at least one of the Open Competitive qualifications listed.

• Assistant Attorney 1 – Law school graduation and/or eligibility for NYS Bar Admission.
• Assistant Attorney 2 – Admission to NYS Bar.
• Assistant Attorney 3 – 12 months as an Assistant Attorney 2, or Admission to the NYS Bar and 12 months of subsequent satisfactory legal experience.
• Senior Attorney – 12 months as an Assistant Attorney 3, or Admission to the NYS Bar and 24 months of subsequent satisfactory legal experience.

Individuals certified eligible for the 55b/c program under the Governor’s Program to Hire Persons/Veterans with Disabilities pursuant to Section 55b/c of the Civil Service Law will also be considered. To be considered, you must meet the minimum qualifications and provide a copy of your letter of eligibility with your application.

Candidates must have one year of permanent competitive or 55 b/c service in a title designated as appropriate for transfer in accordance with Section 52.6, 70.1 or 70.4 of the Civil Service law.

• Admission to the NYS Bar and 24 months of subsequent satisfactory legal experience.
• At least 2 years of experience as in-house counsel and/or in the public sector.
• Experience collaborating across teams, researching complex legal issues and writing memoranda on such issues in a fast‑paced environment, and handling a wide range of legal matters.

• Generous benefits package, worth 65% of salary, including:
• 13 paid holidays annually, plus 2 floating holidays.
• Up to 13 days paid vacation leave annually.
• Up to 5 days paid personal leave annually.
• Up to 13 days paid sick leave annually for CSEA or PEF; up to 8 days paid sick leave annually for M/C.
• Up to 3 days professional leave annually for professional development.
• Health care benefits: employees and dependents can choose from affordable health insurance programs, family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost.
• New York State Employees’ Retirement System (ERS) membership.
• NYS deferred compensation.
• Access to NY 529 and NY ABLE college savings programs, as well as U.S. savings bonds.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
• Hybrid telecommuting schedule up to 50% remote work.

HESC employees may be approved for a telecommuting schedule of up to 50% remote work. Employees are required to apply and obtain approval through management following HESC Pilot Telecommuting Program Guidelines.

NYS is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. HESC is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to workplace diversity.

Apply by submitting an updated resume and cover letter to Human Resources via e‑mail at resumes.gov by the filing deadline listed in this posting. Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.