Duties Description The senior attorney will primarily serve as the Records Access Officer in the Bureau of House Counsel responding to Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests. The attorney will coordinate and process agency FOIL responses received by OCFS. This entails applying redactions, maintaining an up-to-date subject matter list, supervising support staff, and preparing records when a FOIL Appeal is received.
The senior attorney will also play a major role in the work of House Counsel. The attorney will provide legal support and assistance for policy development, contracts, intra-agency legal projects, audit, and risk management. Legal assistance and support includes but is not limited to:
• Conducting legal research;
• Providing legal opinions and advice;
• Drafting and reviewing agency policies and forms;
• Negotiating and drafting contracts and memorandums of understanding on various subjects with government agencies and OCFS vendors;
• Drafting agency-related documents based on legislative mandates, program expansion, and/or agency innovation;
• Supporting the OCFS Office of Audit and Internal Controls by addressing legal concerns related to external audits from state and federal entities;
• Drafting and reviewing responses and Corrective Action Plans for State and Federal Audits; and
• Assisting the Attorney General's Office in litigation defense.
Additional duties will be discussed in detail during the interview.
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 https://careermobilityoffice.cs.ny.gov/cmo/gotit/. 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 NY HELPS are:
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.
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.
This position may be designated 55 b/c and is subject to verification of applicant eligibility.
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.
Name New York State Office of Children and Family Services
Telephone 518-473-7936
Fax 518-473-6122
Email Address eoajobpostings@ocfs.ny.gov
Address
Street Bureau of Personnel - NLS
52 Washington Street, 231 North
City Rensselaer
State NY
Zip Code 12144
Notes on Applying Qualified candidates should e-mail their resume and letter of interest to eoajobpostings@ocfs.ny.gov You MUST include the Vacancy number of the position in the subject line of your email and/or cover letter to ensure receipt of your application. In order to qualify you for the position when you have current or prior New York State employment, you may be contacted by OCFS Personnel for your social security number to confirm your employment history.
