Review Vacancy
AgencyPublic Service, Department of
TitleGeneral Counsel - Counsel, NS-M7
Bargaining UnitM/C - Managerial/Confidential (Unrepresented)
Salary RangeFrom $167754 to $207762 Annually
Duties Description The General Counsel is the chief legal advisor to the Chair, the Commissioners, and the Department. The General Counsel is also the primary interface between the Department and the Governor's Counsel and ensures that the Department's legal work is coordinated with that of other State agencies. The General Counsel is responsible for the policy direction, supervision, and performance of the Office of General Counsel, which consists of approximately 45 staff. The duties of General Counsel include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Leading the Office of General Counsel and managing its work.
• Playing a leadership role at the Department more broadly, making meaningful contributions to the development of the Department's policies and strategies, and to improving the effectiveness of the Department's operations.
• Attracting, developing, directing, motivating, and driving performance from the attorneys and support staff employed by the Office of General Counsel.
• Applying an in-depth understanding of how legal issues affect organizations.
• Applying first class interpersonal and communication skills and working collaboratively with directors and executive staff.
• Setting internal governance policies and managing the impact of external factors.
• Basing decision-making on ethics and integrity.
• Managing complex, significant matters that cut across legal and related areas.
• Providing expert and strategic legal advice.
• Researching and interpreting complex areas of regulatory law, Commission decisions and business as well as economic policies.
• Anticipating issues, estimating risks strategically, and evaluating and weighing multiple inputs and impacts of any decision or course of action.
• Charting tactical legal and procedural pathways to achieve Agency mission and initiatives after identifying proactive solutions that will eliminate or mitigate risks.
• Appearing for and on behalf of the Commission and the People of the State of New York in proceedings before various State/Federal regulatory agencies and State/Federal legislative bodies.
• Representing the Commission in State and Federal courts to defend decisions of the Commission.
• Providing counsel to the New York State Board on Electric Generation and the Environment.
• Keeping abreast of legislative changes.
• Assisting the public in understanding and being involved in Commission processes.
• Ensuring that all Department and Commission processes are carried out lawfully, and in conformance with the procedural requirements of the Public Service Law, the State Administrative Procedure Act, the State Environmental Quality Review Act, and the Public Officers Law.
Minimum Qualifications Law degree from an accredited law school. Admission to, and member in good standing of, the New York State Bar; and nine years of relevant progressively responsible post-bar experience as an attorney, including at a policy-making level. This experience must include at least five years in a managerial** capacity.
Preferred qualifications include experience in the field of utility services or regulation; strong oral and written communication skills; exceptional analytical skills; experience in project management; and proficient at leading teams and committees.
**Managerial experience includes having responsibility for determining and prioritizing the workload of a unit or section, the management of subordinate professional employees, including assignment of tasks, employee training and development, evaluation of their performance and time and attendance, making recommendations on hiring and other human resource actions, and participating in long-range planning for the program.
Additional Comments About the Department:
The New York State Department of Public Service (DPS or Department) works to: ensure safe, affordable, and reliable access to electric, gas, steam, water, and telecommunications services at just and reasonable rates for New York State customers, protect the natural environment, reduce greenhouse gas emissions via transmission and siting of renewable energy resources, and augment the resiliency of utility infrastructure.
Remarks:
Salary will be commensurate with experience. The primary location for this position is Albany, NY with up to 10% travel. As such, the possession of a valid driver’s license is preferred. This is an appointment to a position in the exempt jurisdictional class. As such, the incumbent of this position would serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority. Appointment to this position is contingent upon Division of Budget approval and completion of a background check.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
The Department of Public Service is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know by contacting the Designee for Reasonable Accommodations (DRA) and Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator which can be found under the Accessibility Link on the Department’s webpage at https://dps.ny.gov.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.