What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Attorney (NYS HELPS) position at NYS Division of Human Rights?
Description
Duties Description
The Division of Human Rights is seeking candidates for the position of Senior Attorney working within Office of the General Counsel of the New York State Division of Human Rights. Senior Attorneys in OGC provide legal assistance and counsel on interpretation and application of the Human Rights Law, corresponding case law, and other relevant laws to Division staff and the public as appropriate.
Candidates may fill one of three roles for the Unit:
Minimum Qualifications
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, 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 an NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.
Current New York State Division of Human Rights employee with one year or more permanent, contingent-permanent or 55b/c service as a Senior Attorney and are interested in reassignment; OR current New York State employees with one year or more of permanent, contingent-permanent or 55b/c service in a position at SG-23 or above and eligible for transfer under section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law.
Non-Competitive Minimum Qualifications
Assistant Attorney 1 (Starting Salary of $66,951): Law school graduation and/or eligibility for NYS Bar Admission.
Assistant Attorney 2 (Starting Salary of $74,193): Admission to NYS Bar.
Assistant Attorney 3 (Starting Salary of $82,326): 12 months as an Assistant Attorney 2, or Admission to the NYS Bar and 12 months of subsequent satisfactory legal experience
Senior Attorney (Starting Salary of $96,336): Admission to the NYS bar and two years of post-licensure professional legal experience.
Advancement Within the Legal Traineeship: If you are appointed to one of the entry levels (Assistant Attorney) of the Attorney Traineeship, you will normally be advanced after each twelve months of satisfactory service to the next higher title (with salary based on performance) until you reach the full performance level of a Senior Attorney.
If you are appointed as an Assistant Attorney 1, you will be automatically advanced to Assistant Attorney 2 upon admission to the New York State Bar. If you are not admitted to the New York State Bar within two years of appointment, your appointment will be terminated.
If your final performance evaluation as an Assistant Attorney 2, and your six-month performance evaluation as an Assistant Attorney 3, are rated outstanding, you may be eligible for early advancement to Senior Attorney, reducing your traineeship by six months.
Additional Comments
We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:
Required
The starting salary for this position will vary based on the selected candidate’s education and/or experience. Candidates appointed at a trainee (Assistant Attorney) level will be required to successfully complete the traineeship to advance to the full performance level title and salary:
Assistant Attorney 1: Starting Salary of $66,951
Assistant Attorney 2: Starting Salary of $74,193
Assistant Attorney 3: Starting Salary of $82,326
Senior Attorney: Starting Salary of $96,336
For current New York State employees, the starting salary is based on the candidate’s salary at the time of hire.
Position eligible for $4,000 additional location pay.
All people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Duties Description
The Division of Human Rights is seeking candidates for the position of Senior Attorney working within Office of the General Counsel of the New York State Division of Human Rights. Senior Attorneys in OGC provide legal assistance and counsel on interpretation and application of the Human Rights Law, corresponding case law, and other relevant laws to Division staff and the public as appropriate.
Candidates may fill one of three roles for the Unit:
- Senior Attorney for Investigations and Operations
- Conducts legal reach and drafts guidance and legal opinions on the reach of the Human Rights Law for use by the Agency investigatory staff and the public.
- Provides legal support and guidance on threshold intake questions, complaint filings, and investigations.
- Performs additional duties associated with advising regional and investigatory operations for the Office of General Counsel.
- Provides internal and external trainings and guidance on changes in the Human Rights Law and other relevant laws.
- Provide counsel and assistance with discovery holds, records management, Freedom of Information Law requests, and other agency operational matters.
- Such other duties as may be required or assigned.
- Senior Attorney for Hearings and Enforcement
- Analyzes and summarizes cases and information pertinent to constitutional provisions, statutes, rules, regulations, policies and opinions and plans litigation strategy related to actions brought by the Division.
- Ensures compliance by respondents with the Commissioner's Final Orders.
- Initiates legal actions and other proceedings or receives cases as assigned and prepares charges, specifications and orders.
- Drafts legal documents, including petitions, answers and briefs, and appears for oral argument around the state to support enforcement of the Commissioner’s Final Orders.
- Provides internal and external trainings and guidance on changes in the Human Rights Law and other relevant laws.
- Such other duties as may be required or assigned.
- Senior Attorney for Housing Investigations
- Analyzes legal issues, develops legal strategy with the Director and Assistant Director of HIU, and supervises the implementation of legal strategies.
- Provides legal support and guidance on threshold intake questions, complaint filings, and investigations related to housing.
- Supports with conciliation between parties, including but not limited to mediation efforts, conciliation agreement drafts, compliance monitoring, and enforcement following non-compliance.
- Provides internal and external trainings and guidance on changes in the Human Rights Law and other relevant laws.
- Ensures compliance with the NYS CPLR, Court Rules, HUD regulations, and established policies and practices of the Division.
- Such other duties as may be required or assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
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, 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 an NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.
Current New York State Division of Human Rights employee with one year or more permanent, contingent-permanent or 55b/c service as a Senior Attorney and are interested in reassignment; OR current New York State employees with one year or more of permanent, contingent-permanent or 55b/c service in a position at SG-23 or above and eligible for transfer under section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law.
Non-Competitive Minimum Qualifications
Assistant Attorney 1 (Starting Salary of $66,951): Law school graduation and/or eligibility for NYS Bar Admission.
Assistant Attorney 2 (Starting Salary of $74,193): Admission to NYS Bar.
Assistant Attorney 3 (Starting Salary of $82,326): 12 months as an Assistant Attorney 2, or Admission to the NYS Bar and 12 months of subsequent satisfactory legal experience
Senior Attorney (Starting Salary of $96,336): Admission to the NYS bar and two years of post-licensure professional legal experience.
Advancement Within the Legal Traineeship: If you are appointed to one of the entry levels (Assistant Attorney) of the Attorney Traineeship, you will normally be advanced after each twelve months of satisfactory service to the next higher title (with salary based on performance) until you reach the full performance level of a Senior Attorney.
If you are appointed as an Assistant Attorney 1, you will be automatically advanced to Assistant Attorney 2 upon admission to the New York State Bar. If you are not admitted to the New York State Bar within two years of appointment, your appointment will be terminated.
If your final performance evaluation as an Assistant Attorney 2, and your six-month performance evaluation as an Assistant Attorney 3, are rated outstanding, you may be eligible for early advancement to Senior Attorney, reducing your traineeship by six months.
Additional Comments
We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Holiday & Paid Time Off
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
- Pension from New York State Employees’ Retirement System
- Affordable Health Care options
- Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost
- NYS Deferred Compensation plan
- Access to NY 529 College Savings Program
Required
The starting salary for this position will vary based on the selected candidate’s education and/or experience. Candidates appointed at a trainee (Assistant Attorney) level will be required to successfully complete the traineeship to advance to the full performance level title and salary:
Assistant Attorney 1: Starting Salary of $66,951
Assistant Attorney 2: Starting Salary of $74,193
Assistant Attorney 3: Starting Salary of $82,326
Senior Attorney: Starting Salary of $96,336
For current New York State employees, the starting salary is based on the candidate’s salary at the time of hire.
Position eligible for $4,000 additional location pay.
All people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Salary : $96,336 - $121,413
