Senior Attorney, Assistant Attorney 2, 3

The duties that the incumbent of the vacancy will be expected to perform. Duties Description The Senior Attorney will primarily provide legal support to the Division of Juvenile Justice and Opportunities for Youth (DJJOY). The incumbent will be responsible for appearing on behalf of OCFS in Family Court proceedings relating to youth in OCFS custody; management of litigation brought against OCFS in federal and State courts, including liaising with and supporting the work of the Attorney General; and administrative proceedings related to OCFS-licensed or certified programs.The senior attorney will be responsible for general legal support to DJJOY and will take a lead role (with proper supervision) for legal support in specific areas such as extensions of placement and permanency hearings, Family Court motions, release revocations, transfer proceedings, and administrative enforcement actions for programs licensed or certified by OCFS. These tasks require litigation experience, including legal research and writing skills.The senior attorney will respond to external and stakeholder inquires, including frequent direct communication with County Attorneys, Local Departments of Social Services, and Family Court judges on issues of vital importance to OCFS's core mission. Additional duties will be discussed in detail during the interview.

The minimum qualifications required for this vacancy. Minimum Qualifications Transfer: One year of permanent competitive or 55b/c service in this title or in a title eligible for 70.1 or 52.6 transfer. For transfers, a list of approved titles is available through Civil Service GOT-IT at The GOT-IT site will inform you if your title is transferrable.Open to the Public: This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide program (NY HELPS).* Position may be filled at the Senior Attorney level or one of the Assistant Attorney traineeship appointment levels. Appointment title will be dependent upon qualifications of candidate selected. The minimum qualifications through the NY HELPS are: Assistant Attorney 2 (Grade 20): Admission to NYS BarAssistant Attorney 3 (Grade 22): 12 months as an Assistant Attorney 2, or Admission to the NYS Bar and 12 months of subsequent satisfactory legal experienceSenior Attorney (Grade 25): 12 months as an Assistant Attorney 3, or Admission to the NYS Bar and 24 months of subsequent satisfactory legal experienceNOTE: Admission to the New York State Bar and current registration to practice law in New York State is required for continued employment. Disbarment or loss of registration shall result in termination or suspension of employment.This position may be designated 55 b/c and is subject to verification of applicant eligibility.

Additional comments regarding the vacancy. Additional Comments *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, 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.Candidates who took and passed the Legal Specialties Examination are encouraged to apply.Please specify in your cover letter and/or resume how you meet the minimum qualifications (as described above) when responding to this posting. Vagueness will not be interpreted in your favor and may disqualify you from further consideration if the information you provide does not meet the minimum qualifications.Background Investigation Requirements: 1) All prospective employees will be investigated through a Criminal Background Check (CBC), which includes State and federal Criminal History Record Checks. All convictions must be reported; conviction of a felony or misdemeanor, or any falsified or omitted information on the prospective appointee's employment application, may bar appointment or result in removal after appointment. Each case will be determined on its own merits, consistent with the applicable provisions of State and federal laws, rules, and regulations. Prospective employees will be fingerprinted in order to obtain a record of their criminal history information and may be required to pay any necessary fees. 2) All prospective employees will be screened against the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR). Prospective employees will be required to pay any necessary fees. 3) For Division of Juvenile Justice and Opportunities for Youth (DJJOY) prospective appointees will be checked against the Staff Exclusion List (SEL) maintained by the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs. Prospective employees whose names appear on the SEL as having been found responsible for serious or repeated acts of abuse or neglect will be barred from appointment and may have their names removed from the eligible list(s) for the title(s) if applicable. The Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) is an equal opportunity employer. OCFS does not discriminate based upon age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, military or veteran status, sex, disability (including pregnancy-related conditions), predisposing genetic characteristics, familial status, marital status, or status as a victim of domestic violence, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We devote special attention to dismantling racial injustice and recognize that diversity in our workforce is critical to fulfilling our mission. We are committed to the diversity of our staff and encourage applicants from marginalized communities to apply. In furtherance of Executive Order 31 and OCFS's mission to have a diverse workforce, all people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. All applicants must be dedicated to working in and sustaining an environment of inclusion that affirms and celebrates the backgrounds, learned, and lived expertise, whole identities, and individual perspectives of our staff. Applicants of all backgrounds and experiences are encouraged to self-identify during the application process.

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