Job Description
Minimum Qualifications
Non-Competitive NYS HELPS Qualifications: Admission to the NYS bar and two years of post-licensure professional legal experience.
*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.
Your required educational credentials must have been awarded by an educational institution accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the United States (U.S.) Department of Education/Secretary of Education. If awarded by an institution outside of the U.S. and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. A list of companies that provide these services (fees must be paid to the company you choose) can be found at: http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/degrees.cfmt
Competitive Appointments-
Eligible List- Candidates may also be qualified for permanent competitive appointment if reachable on the Legal Specialties Program eligible list, 20-620010.
Transfer-Eligible for transfer under Section 52.6 or 70.1 of Civil Service Law which requires one year of permanent, competitive status. To determine eligibility and list of eligible titles please go to our career mobility office website at https://careermobilityoffice.cs.ny.gov/cmo/gotit/
55 b/c Program- This position is eligible for 55b/c appointment, and candidates with 55b/c eligibility are encouraged to apply. To be eligible for a 55b/c appointment, candidate must be currently enrolled in the Civil Service 55b/c program and must meet the minimum qualifications listed above. To be considered, you must provide a copy of your letter of eligibility with your response and meet the minimum qualifications listed above.
It is essential that candidates clearly and concisely indicate exactly how they meet the above minimum qualifications in their resume. Failure to show how you meet the minimum qualifications above may result in disqualification and removal from consideration.
*If verifiable, we will accept and prorate appropriate part-time and volunteer experience.
Duties Description
Under the general direction of a Supervising Attorney and General Counsel, the Senior Attorney will provide legal services to various programs and Regional Offices within the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (Parks) regarding the procurement of goods and services, and contracting, particularly providing advice to agency staff in the Procurement and Contracts Unit, regarding applicable contract law, the New York State Finance Law, Uniform Commercial Code, and Technology Law. The Senior Attorney will also provide legal services regarding accessibility and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to agency staff, including the ADA Coordinator and Codes compliance Director. The primary duties will include:
• Assisting agency staff with contract drafting, interpretation, vendor approvals, contract compliance, and dispute resolution.
• Providing legal advice to agency staff on matters relating to the State Finance Law, in areas such as: contract approvals, thresholds (for NYS Comptroller review), advertising and reporting, discretionary purchasing, procurement methods, vendor responsibility, prompt payment, and procurement lobbying laws, among others.
• Providing legal advice to agency staff on matters relating to the Uniform Commercial Code and Technology Law in the procurement of goods and IT goods and services.
• Assisting agency staff in negotiating the best contractual terms for the agency with private sector representatives and receiving needed approvals from control agencies.
• Providing legal interpretation of contractual language regarding insurance in contracts and documents, including documents issued by insurance professionals and drafting contractual language for routine insurance requirements based on standard terms and conditions and Council of Contracting Agencies guidance.
• Advising the agency’s ADA Coordinator and Codes Compliance Director on legal issues relating to Title II of the ADA and the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design and the New York State Human Rights law; reviewing accessibility policies and procedures for legal sufficiency and compliance with the ADA, and providing other legal guidance, upon request.
• Review proposed legislation and regulations for impacts to agency programs and operations.
• Assisting Supervising Attorney, as requested, in providing other legal guidance to Agency staff, such as assisting in audit and compliance actions against assigned program areas; researching legal issues to provide recommended courses of action; or drafting or reviewing programmatic guidance.
Additional Comments
Well qualified candidates will possess prior experience in transactional matters in contract law, or a familiarity with legal matters surrounding governmental procurement and contracting, and a willingness to address associated legal issues, such as information technology and accessibility issues, as they arise. Familiarity with the ADA and the New York State Human Rights law preferred.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Closing Date/Time: 12/04/24