Senior Attorney

Minimum Qualifications Minimum Qualifications:
Transfers: One year of permanent competitive or 55b/c service in this title or in a title eligible for 70.1 or 52.6 transfer.

Open to the Public: This 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, if the candidate meets the below NY HELPS minimum qualifications.

NY HELPS Non-Competitive Minimum Qualifications:

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.

Assistant Attorney 1 (Grade 18): Law school graduation and/or eligibility for NYS Bar Admission.

Assistant Attorney 2 (Grade 20): Admission to NYS Bar

Assistant Attorney 3 (Grade 22): 12 months as an Assistant Attorney 2, or Admission to the NYS Bar and 12 months of subsequent satisfactory legal experience

Senior Attorney (Grade 25): 12 months as an Assistant Attorney 3, or Admission to the NYS Bar and 24 months of subsequent satisfactory legal experience

NOTE: 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.

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.

Preferred Qualifications: The preferred candidate should be a highly motivated, creative, and innovative individual interested in working in an active legal team environment. The preferred candidate must have strong legal skills, be able to work as a highly collaborative team-member, have demonstrated ethical and intuitive decision-making, exhibit useful curiosity and investigative talent, engage in active customer service, possess excellent oral and written communication skills, and should have the ability to manage a varied and demanding caseload and meet regular deadlines.

Duties Description This position is assigned to the Records Access Office in the Department of Health’s Division of Legal Affairs. The incumbent will:

1.Conduct legal review and analysis of Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests from the public for all Department of Health programs
2.Investigate whether records responsive to FOIL requests are maintained by the Departments
3.Coordinate with various Health program areas to respond to FOIL requests
4.Draft responses to FOIL requests
5.Provide secondary legal review of FOIL responses drafted by colleagues
6.Render legal advice and respond to requests from Department of Health staff on the Public Officers Law as well as provide statutory interpretation of the Public Officers Law and Public Health Law
7.Attend meetings with stakeholders, as needed, and effectively communicate with the public and members of the media as required
8.Coordinate one of several legal functions within the office, based on personal interest, such as FOIL litigation, administrative appeals, program area outreach, transparency initiatives, technology, or other areas

Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.