Assistant Attorney 1/2/3 (NY HELPS)

Duties Description This is a Senior Attorney/Assistant Counsel position in DMV’s Counsel’s Office. This position primarily involves handling litigation matters filed against the DMV. The Senior Attorney will assist the Attorney General’s Office in litigation involving DMV in both state and federal courts. DMV Senior Attorney’s do not appear in court on litigation files, but assist in assembling the administrative record, performing research, drafting and reviewing pleadings, and conveying agency relevant knowledge and information to the Assistant Attorney General who appears on behalf of the DMV.
The Senior Attorney may also be responsible for defending the DMV in relation to employment discrimination and public accommodation cases brought before the New York State Division of Human Rights and the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. These responsibilities include gathering the record, performing research, and drafting responsive pleadings to the discrimination complaints. The Senior Attorney may be required to present a defense of the DMV at a DHR or EEOC public hearing.
The Senior Attorney may also be tasked with drafting and interpreting legislation and regulatory amendments, researching legal issues and providing legal analysis, serving on agency project teams, advising agency business units on legal matters, and responding to correspondence and inquiries from a variety of sources including courts, attorneys, law enforcement, regulated businesses, and customers. Additional legal duties may be required as needed.

**Candidates with relevant specialized experience may be eligible for an increased hiring rate**

Minimum Qualifications NY Helps*:

This position may be filled through a traineeship, leading to the journey level title of Senior Attorney:

• Assistant Attorney 1 (equated to SG-18): Law school graduation and/or eligibility for NYS Bar Admission.
• Assistant Attorney 2 (equated to SG-20): Admission to NYS Bar with less than 12 months of post-Bar satisfactory legal experience.
• Assistant Attorney 3 (equated to SG-22): 12 months as an Assistant Attorney 2 or Admission to NYS Bar and 12 months, but less than 24 months of post-Bar satisfactory legal experience.

Transfer:
One year of permanent, contingent-permanent, or 55 B/C service allocated to a Grade 16 or higher eligible for transfer and deemed administrative under Section 52.6 of the Civil Service Law; OR in a title approved for transfer under Section 70.1 of Civil Service Law. The transfer cannot be a second consecutive transfer resulting in an advancement of more than two salary grades.

Reinstatement:
If you previously served in this title or in a title otherwise transferable to this title, you may be reinstated pursuant to Civil Service Law. If you left state service less than one year ago, the reinstatement request from a state agency will usually be approved by the Department of Civil Service. If you left state service more than one year ago, the reinstatement must also be approved by the Civil Service Commission.

55b/c Appointment:
This position is eligible for 55b/c designation and candidates with 55 b/c eligibility are encouraged to apply. Candidates must possess the minimum qualifications and a current 55b/c eligibility letter. For 55 b/c consideration, candidates must satisfy at least one of the Open Competitive qualifications listed.

*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 TAKE A CIVIL SERVICE TEST. 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.

Preferred Qualifications:
The preferred candidate should be a highly motivated individual interested in working in public service as part of an active legal team with at least three years’ experience as a New York State Attorney. Preferred qualifications include strong research and writing skills, eager to learn new subject areas, demonstrated sound judgment, excellent oral communication skills.

Additional Comments There are many benefits to working for the DMV! Including:
o Paid Leave
o Paid Holidays
o Pension
o Health Insurance
o Dental & Vision Coverage
o Flex Spending
o Voluntary 457B Retirement Saving Program
o Health Care Spending Account
o Tuition Assistance Programs
o Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
o Transportation Savings Program
o Employee Assistance Programs
For additional information about the benefits of being a state employee, visit the Office of Employee Relations website at

DMV is committed to being a model employer for people with disabilities. DMV’s commitment includes ensuring that the recruitment, application, interviewing and hiring processes are accessible to all job applicants. If you are a job applicant who may need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact [email protected]

The Department of Motor Vehicles is committed to diversity and equal opportunity, and to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace, and we encourage all qualified individuals to apply, including people with disabilities or any other protected category under the law. Our goal as an employer is to reflect the diverse identities, experiences and geographies of the communities and customers we serve.

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