Position Information

NY HELPNo

AgencyEnvironmental Conservation, Department of

TitleAssociate Counsel

Occupational CategoryLegal

Salary GradeNS

Bargaining UnitM/C - Managerial/Confidential (Unrepresented)

Salary RangeFrom $127507 to $160911 Annually

Employment Type Full-Time

Appointment Type Permanent

Jurisdictional Class Exempt Class

Travel Percentage 5%

Schedule

Workweek Mon-Fri

Hours Per Week 37.5

Workday

From 8:30 AM

To 5 PM

Flextime allowed? No

Mandatory overtime? No

Compressed workweek allowed? No

Telecommuting allowed? Yes

Location

County Albany

Street Address 625 Broadway

City Albany

StateNY

Zip Code12233

Job Specifics

Duties Description The Associate Counsel will serve as Chief of the Remediation Bureau in the DEC Office of General Counsel. As Bureau Chief, the Assistant Counsel will directly supervise approximately 14 attorneys and 5 other staff providing legal support to the Division of Environmental Remediation (DER). The attorneys in this bureau work on a variety of matters, such as Superfund and Brownfield cleanup sites, as well as spills actions and Natural Resource Damages claims, with duties ranging from enforcement (settlement and litigation), negotiations, rule-makings, legislation, drafting of legal documents and responding to requests for legal advice. Given the complex subject matter and number of staff in the Bureau, the Associate Counsel must possess subject matter expertise and management experience to support the Department’s mission and ensure timely legal advice and support for the affected programs. The description of the duties for this position and percentage of time for each duty follows.

-45% Monthly: The Associate Counsel will supervise and manage 14 lawyers and 5 other staff in the Bureau.

•Assign work to Bureau staff, and manage staff to ensure timely completion of assigned duties;
•Review work from Bureau members to make sure the work product is of acceptable quality, correct any deficiencies, and forward approved work to the Deputy Counsel, Director and General Counsel;
•Perform supervisory functions for the Bureau, including drafting work plans and evaluations for Bureau members, developing form documents for the Bureau, approving vacations and other leave;
•Directly supervise staff in-training to be legal professionals; and
•Perform other supervisory duties as needed.

-20% Monthly: The Associate Counsel will serve as counsel to the General Counsel, Deputy Counsel, OGC Director, Executive Staff members, Division Director for DER, Regional Directors and Regional Attorneys.

•Provide timely advice and guidance and respond to inquiries from Executive Staff, the Deputy Counsel, the Director, and the General Counsel;
•Respond to inquiries regarding the interpretation of law and legal procedure;
•Interact with staff from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with respect to Superfund and Brownfield cleanups, as well as spills actions and Natural Resource Damages claims;
•Advise the Commissioner and Governor’s staff as to the Department’s implementation of the Bureau’s programs;
•Provide legal support for the development and implementation of legislation and regulations for the Bureau’s programs; and
•Regularly meet with management staff from the Division of Environmental Remediation, to ensure program needs are being met.

-10% Monthly: The Associate Counsel will serve as litigation counsel.

•Supervise Department staff members assigned to defend litigation matters in the Bureau’s programs;
•Must have strong interpersonal skills to ensure there is a good working relationship with the Office of the Attorney General, and the individual must be able to assist with the drafting and review of necessary documents related to any civil litigation; and
•The attorney must ensure that the Department’s perspective, policies and goals are considered in developing litigation strategy.

-25% Monthly: The Associate Counsel will serve as program counsel to the Division of Environmental Remediation, and regularly correspond with the Director, Bureau Directors, and program staff members.

•Offer legal opinions and make recommendations to program staff from these Divisions on a variety of program areas;
•Provide oversight for the implementation of the Department’s authority to ensure that staff are consistently applying the Bureau’s various programs in a legally defensible manner;
•Provide legal support for the development or interpretation of proposed legislation and rule-makings, and demonstrate familiarity with program initiatives;
•Interact with program staff to ensure that drafting of regulatory amendments is legally sufficient;
•Assist staff with interactions between the Department and the regulated community; and
•Serve as the Department liaison to various advisory committees, associations and other stakeholders.

Minimum Qualifications NYS Bar Admission and 5 years of post-bar experience.

Additional Comments Travel may be required.
Overtime may be required.
Overnight travel may be required.
Telecommuting may be available, will be discussed at interview.

We offer a work-life balance and a generous benefits package, worth 65% of salary, including:

• Holiday & Paid Time Off
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Pension from New York State Employees’ Retirement System
• Shift & Geographic pay differentials
• Affordable Health Care options
• Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost
• NYS Deferred Compensation plan
• Access to NY 529 and NY ABLE College Savings Programs, and U.S. Savings Bonds
• And many more...

For new State employees appointed to graded positions, the annual salary is the hiring rate (beginning of the Salary Range) of the position. Promotion salaries are calculated by the NYS Office of the State Comptroller in accordance with NYS Civil Service Law, OSC Payroll rules and regulations and negotiated union contracts.

The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Our work would not be possible without the diverse backgrounds, experiences, ideas, and abilities of our employees. DEC is committed to developing a workforce which represents the diverse population of New York State. DEC embraces a diverse and inclusive work environment by encouraging all individuals, including those with disabilities, to apply to open positions at the agency.

Please be advised, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation does not use E-Verify, and we are unable to provide sponsorship for employment visa statuses (i.e. H-1B, Self-Sponsorship, STEM OPT).

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

How to Apply

Name Marline Agnew

Telephone (518) 402-9273

Fax (518) 402-9038

Email Address PostingResponses@dec.ny.gov

Address

Street 625 Broadway

City Albany

State NY

Zip Code 12233

 

Notes on ApplyingPlease email/mail your resume to the above. Be sure to include Vacancy #26-207214 on your resume or it may not be accepted.