Senior Attorney or Assistant Attorney (NY HELPS) Albany NY Posting Dates: September 2 2025 - September 12 2025 Harvest your potential with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets! Join our team and become an integral part of a team dedicated to fostering a competitive food and agriculture industry that benefits both producers and consumers alike. Here you can cultivate your career in a dynamic environment that values innovation sustainability and community engagement. With a wide range of opportunities spanning from environmental science to economic development you can find your niche in public service and grow both professionally and personally. Embrace the chance to join our team and youll not only reap a fulfilling career but also sow the seeds for a healthier stronger New York. Position Information: The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is seeking a Senior Attorney or Assistant Attorney to provide a full range of technical legal services supporting Department programs. This position serves as a legal advisor to program administrators policy analysts and division staff with a primary focus on issues involving the Departments Divisions of Land and Water Resources Plant Industry Animal Industry and Weights and Measures. The incumbent may prepare legal analysis memoranda guidance and Department position statements related to issues of agricultural land agricultural districts invasive species and plant disease; handle FOIL requests including the review of agency records; identify and draft legislative amendments and/or rulemakings; consult with program managers and obtain program staff input to provide guidance on legal issues; research requests and inquiries from Executive managers and agency program managers; and analyze legislation proposed for legal sufficiency and effect on agency programs. This position may also represent the Department in administrative proceedings. The Senior Attorney or Trainee is a full-time position working 37.5 hours per week Monday-Friday. This position will be based out of our Albany office at 10B Airline Drive Albany New York. Our office is conveniently located near the Albany International Airport and offers free parking. Opportunities for telecommuting are available in accordance with the agencys Telecommuting Program Guidelines. Salary: This position requires the completion of a traineeship leading to Senior Attorney G-25; the length of the traineeship will be determined by the credentials and experience possessed by a candidate. The starting salary for each traineeship level can be found below: - Assistant Attorney 1 NS Grade 18 $66951/ year the hiring rate for PEF salary grade (SG) 18
- Assistant Attorney 2 NS Grade 20 $74193/ year the hiring rate for PEF salary grade (SG) 20
- Assistant Attorney 3 NS Grade 22 $82326/ year the hiring rate for PEF salary grade (SG) 22
Completion of the traineeship will result in permanent advancement to the Senior Attorney SG-25 (starting salary of $96336) without further examination. Candidates may be eligible for appointment directly to the Assistant Attorney 2 Assistant Attorney 3 or Senior Attorney level. Minimum qualification details are below.
The candidate appointed at the Senior Attorney SG-25 level will be eligible to participate in the New York State Performance Evaluation Program. Through this program employees receive yearly performance evaluations. Performance advances are payable to PEF employees whose base annual salary is below the job rate for their current position and who were rated Satisfactory or its equivalent on their yearly performance evaluation. Performance advance payments are added to an employees annual salary. Over time yearly performance advances may lead to the SG-25 job rate salary of $121413/ year! Benefits: This is a PEF-represented position that offers excellent benefits! Benefits include but are not limited to inexpensive Health Insurance options free Dental and Vision coverage NYS Pension Plan membership and generous paid time off. Within the first year you are eligible for 5 days of personal time 13 vacation days 13 sick days and 13 paid holidays! NY HELPS Minimum Qualifications: NY HELPS Qualifications for Senior Attorney G-25:Admission to the NYS bar and two years of post-licensure professional legal experience. Specialized requirements beyond the minimum qualifications:3 months to less than 1 year of Government Administrative Law Experience in Grants and Government Contracts and Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs); AND at least novice experience in the following legal tasks: Advisory Memoranda and Contract Drafting Review and Analysis. Traineeship Qualifications: Candidates who have graduated from law school and who possess credentials and experience less than that described above will be required to serve in a traineeship leading to Senior Attorney Grade 25. The length of the traineeship will be determined by the credentials and experience possessed by a candidate. As shown below: Assistant Attorney 1 NS Grade 18: Law School Graduation (or other eligibility to take the NYS Bar Examination) Assistant Attorney 2 NS Grade 20: Admission to NYS Bar Assistant Attorney 3 NS Grade 22: One year as Assistant Attorney 2 or admission to the NYS Bar and one year of subsequent professional legal experience Senior Attorney Grade 25: One year as Assistant Attorney 3 or admission to the NYS Bar and two years of post-licensure professional legal experience. Notes: - Appropriate part-time and volunteer experience which can be verified will be accepted on a prorated basis in determining the appropriate appointment level. Also experience gained subsequent to admission to the Bar in a state having reciprocity with New York State can be credited only after admission to the New York State Bar. Candidates must note such experience and the existence of the admission reciprocity agreement at the time of interview.
- Your degree or college credit must have been awarded by a regionally accredited college or university or one recognized by the NYS Education Department as following acceptable educational practices. If your degree was awarded by an educational institution outside the United States and its territories you must provide independent verification of equivalency. You can write to the Examination Information Desk of the NYS Department of Civil Service for a list of acceptable companies who provide this service. This information can also be found on the Internet at You must pay the required evaluation fee.
NY HELPS Program: 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 (within one year of permanent appointment) 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 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. Alternate Minimum Qualifications: You may also be eligible for appointment to this position if you meet any of the following minimum qualifications. Reassignment Qualifications: You must be a current Department of Agriculture and Markets employee and have one year of permanent contingent-permanent or 55 b/c service as a Senior Attorney G-25; if you have less than one year you must be reachable on the current eligible list for this location if one exists. 52.6 Transfer Qualifications to Senior Attorney G-25: Applicants may be appointed to this position permanently if they haveone year of permanent competitive service in a title designated as appropriate for transfer under Section 52.6 of the Civil Service Law. Source titles from which transfer may be made include the Senior Attorney G-25. Candidates must have 12 months of experience as an Assistant Attorney 3 OR admission to the NYS Bar and 24 months of subsequent satisfactory legal experience. 52.6 Transfer Qualifications to Assistant Attorney 3 NS: Applicants may be appointed to this position permanently if they have: one year of permanent competitive service in a title designated as appropriate for transfer under Section 52.6 of the Civil Service Law. Source titles from which transfer may be made include the Assistant Attorney 3 NS. Candidates must have either 12 months of experience as an Assistant Attorney 2 OR admission to the NYS Bar and 12 months of subsequent satisfactory legal experience. 52.6 Transfer Qualifications to Assistant Attorney 2 NS: Applicants may be appointed to this position permanently if they have: one year of permanent competitive service in a title designated as appropriate for transfer under Section 52.6 of the Civil Service Law. Source titles from which transfer may be made include the Assistant Attorney 2 NS. Candidates must have received admission to NYS Bar. Preferred Experience Beyond the Minimum Qualifications for 52.6 Transfer: Candidates must be admitted to the New York State Bar Association be licensed to practice law in New York State and have two years of post-Bar legal experience to be appointed to the Senior Attorney G-25; AND have 3 months to less than 1 year of Legal Experience in Procurements Grants and Government Contracts and Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs); AND have at least novice experience in Advisory Memoranda Legal Tasks. 70.1 Transfer Qualifications to Senior Attorney G-25: Applicants may be appointed to this position permanently if they have: one year of permanent competitive service in a title designated as appropriate for transfer under Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law. Such titles include but are not limited to: Senior Attorney Realty G-25. Reinstatement Under Rule 5.4:Applicants may be appointed to this position permanently if they were previous permanent New York State employees who resigned their positions may be reinstated to their former positions or to positions to which they were eligible for transfer or reassignment without further examination. Employees separated from their positions may be reinstated within one year of the date of their separation. Employees separated from their positions who have also been separated from state service for more than one year may be reinstated upon approval by the state Civil Service Commission. 55-b/c Qualifications to Assistant Attorney 1 NS: Applicants may be appointed to this position permanently if they meet these qualifications: you must be a graduate of an accredited law school with an LLB or JD degree. Information about the Workers with Disabilities 55-b and the Veterans with Disabilities employment program 55-c can be found at 55b/c Recruitment Resources Center (). How to Apply: Candidates that are eligible and interested in being considered for appointment to one of these opportunities must use this link to applyby: September 12 2025. Within this online application please upload your resume transcript and cover letter. If you have any questions please contact Laura DeBraccio in Human Resources at or .The Department is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity and reasonable accommodations and/or modifications as necessary for qualified persons with disabilities. If you are in need of a reasonable accommodation please visit: Position Information:Division: Counsels Office Negotiating Unit: PEF Location: Albany NY Number of Vacancies: One Status of Vacancy: Full-time; Permanent Hours Per Week: 37.5 Hours Jurisdictional Class: Competitive Civil Service List(s): Eligible List Exists
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