Senior attorney assistant attorney

Duties Description

The New York State Education Department’s (NYSED) Office of Education Policy is seeking candidates for a Senior Attorney position in the Office of School Personnel Review & Accountability (OSPRA). This Office is responsible for preparing and prosecuting cases against teachers and school administrators who lack the moral character to hold such a credential pursuant to Education Law. OSPRA is also responsible for making determinations concerning whether employment clearances for school district employees should be issued based upon fingerprint supported criminal history background checks. Duties of this positions include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Prepare and prosecute cases against teachers and administrators who lack the requisite moral character to hold such credential pursuant to Education Law Section 305 and 8 NYCRR Part 83;
• Assist investigators with review of case files to determine legal sufficiency;
• Prepare legal documents, notices, motions, subpoenas, correspondence, memoranda of law, discovery, appeals, Freedom of Information Law responses, and conduct legal research as needed;
• Interview victims and witnesses and otherwise fully prepare evidence and testimony for administrative hearings;
• Communicate effectively with school officials, law enforcement, courts and the general public;
• Represent the Department at Part 83 administrative hearings consistent with the State Administrative Procedure Act, Education Law, Correction Law and Department regulations, including delivering opening/closing statements; conducting direct/cross-examination, making appropriate objections, and preparing appeals;
• Maintain and stay current with assigned administrative caseload; and
• Review 8 NYCRR Part 87 criminal histories to determine suitability for employment, draft appropriate due process correspondence, review responses, and prepare files for appeal.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

NY HELPS

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 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.

Non-competitive Minimum Qualifications

To be considered for appointment through NY HELPS candidates must meet the open-competitive minimum qualifications for this position. The qualifications are:

• Assistant Attorney 1: EITHER:
• Be a graduate of an accredited law school with an LLB or JD degree, OR
• Be eligible to take the NYS Bar examination*.
• If qualifying under option #2, you must present proof of eligibility to sit for the New York State Bar exam at the time of interview to be eligible for appointment.
  
  

If you are appointed as an Assistant Attorney 1, you will be automatically advanced to Assistant Attorney 2 upon admission to the New York State Bar. If you are not admitted to the New York State Bar within two years of appointment, your appointment will be terminated.

• Assistant Attorney 2: NYS Bar Admission
• Assistant Attorney 3: 12 months as an Assistant Attorney 2, OR Admission to the NYS Bar AND 12 months of subsequent satisfactory Legal experience.
• Senior Attorney: 12 months as an Assistant Attorney 3, OR Admission to the NYS Bar AND 24 months of subsequent satisfactory Legal experience.
  
  

Competitive Minimum Qualifications

Reassignment: Candidates must have one year of permanent competitive or 55b/c service as a Senior Attorney.

Eligible List Appointment: Candidates must be reachable on the Civil Service eligible list for this title. If you are on the Civil Service eligible list for this title, you may receive a canvass letter. You must complete and return it as instructed on the letter.

Information about this examination for this title series can be found at:

Section 70.1 Transfer: Candidates must have one year of permanent competitive or 55b/c service in any of the following titles: Senior Attorney (Realty).

Section 52.6 Transfer: Candidates must have one year of permanent competitive or 55b/c service in a title allocated SG-23 or higher eligible to transfer under Section 52.6 of the Civil Service Law. Candidates must also possess a Juris Doctorate degree AND be admitted to the Bar to practice law in New York State or in a state with Bar reciprocity to qualify for transfer.

For information regarding the transfer options of your current title, please visit the Civil Service Career Mobility Office Website.

55b/c Appointment: This position is eligible for 55b/c designation and candidates with 55b/c eligibility are encouraged to apply. Candidates must possess a current 55b/c eligibility letter and the following minimum qualifications:

• Assistant Attorney 1: EITHER:
• Be a graduate of an accredited law school with an LLB or JD degree, OR
• Be eligible to take the NYS Bar examination*.
• If qualifying under option #2, you must present proof of eligibility to sit for the New York State Bar exam at the time of interview to be eligible for appointment.
  
  

If you are appointed as an Assistant Attorney 1, you will be automatically advanced to Assistant Attorney 2 upon admission to the New York State Bar. If you are not admitted to the New York State Bar within two years of appointment, your appointment will be terminated.

• Assistant Attorney 2: NYS Bar Admission
• Assistant Attorney 3: 12 months as an Assistant Attorney 2, OR Admission to the NYS Bar AND 12 months of subsequent satisfactory Legal experience.
• Senior Attorney: 12 months as an Assistant Attorney 3, OR Admission to the NYS Bar AND 24 months of subsequent satisfactory Legal experience.
  
  

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.

Additional Comments

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

This will be a contingent permanent, competitive appointment or a contingent permanent, non-competitive appointment. For 55b/c appointment, candidates must possess the minimum qualifications, a current 55b/c eligibility letter and is subject to verification of applicant eligibility. Promotions and transfers may change appointees’ negotiating unit. Candidates should be aware that changes in negotiating units may affect their salary, insurance, and other benefits. Verification of degree, Bar admission and work experience will be required at the time of interview for all candidates. Candidates are required to possess and maintain admission to the New York State Bar at the time of hire. Continued employment as a Senior Attorney is dependent upon maintaining admission to the New York State Bar, including adhering to all relevant professional development and training requirements as specified by the Office of the Professions. Failure to maintain admission to the New York State Bar and current registration will result in removal from employment. This position allows for the opportunity to telecommute up to 30% each bi-weekly pay period and is granted at the discretion of the supervisor and the appointing office. This position will require 1% in-state/Statewide travel. Fingerprinting through the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Division of Criminal Justice Services is required for employment. Fees associated with this process are at the Department’s expense.

This position may be filled as a traineeship. The starting salaries for this position are outlined below. For current New York State employees, salary is based on the candidate’s salary at the time of hire. Candidates appointed at the trainee level will be required to successfully complete the traineeship to advance to the full performance level title and salary.

Current Starting Salaries

• $66,951 (Assistant Attorney 1/Trainee 1- NS equated to SG-18)
• $74,193 (Assistant Attorney 2/Trainee 2- NS equated to SG-20)
• $82,326 (Assistant Attorney 3/Trainee 3- NS equated to SG-22)
• $96,336 (Senior Attorney/Full Performance level SG-25)
  
  

This position leads to a maximum salary of $121,413 based on annual performance advances and traineeship advances. 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.

APPLICATION: Qualified candidates should send a resume and letter of interest by October 12, 2025 to [email protected] (email submissions are preferred). Your resume must clearly indicate how you meet the minimum qualifications for this position. You must include the Box number (OEP-68/21124) of the position in the subject line of your email and cover letter to ensure receipt of your application. Links to application materials will not be accepted (i.e., Google Docs). Your social security number may be required to confirm your eligibility.

New York State Education Department (NYSED) is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. NYS Human Rights Law prohibits discrimination because of age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, military status, sex, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital status, domestic violence victim status, gender identity, prior conviction records, prior arrests, youthful offender adjudications, or sealed records.

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Generous benefits of working for New York State, including, but not limited to, the following:

Holiday & Paid Time Off

• Thirteen (13) paid holidays annually.
• Thirteen (13) days of paid vacation leave in year one, increasing to 20+ days with additional years of service.
• Five (5) days of paid personal leave annually.
• Thirteen (13) days of paid sick leave annually for PEF/CSEA and eight (8) days paid sick leave annually for M/C.
• Annual professional leave and educational leave opportunities for eligible staff.
  
  

Health Care Benefits

• Eligible employees and dependents can choose from a variety of affordable and generous health insurance programs.
• Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost.
  
  

Additional Benefits

• Enrollment in the New York State pension system which has earned the distinction of being one of the best-managed and best-funded plans in the nation OR Optional Retirement Defined Contribution Plan with 8% salary match (eligibility requirements apply).
• NYS Deferred Compensation and an exclusive 403(b) Optional Retirement Savings Plan.
• Paid Parental Leave for all employees and Paid Family Leave (M/C Only).
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
• Eligibility for various life insurance options.