Job Description

Duties Description Under the general direction of an Associate Attorney and/or the Supervising Attorney, the Senior Attorney will assist in the Licensing and Full Board Review (FBR) process, both discretionary and mandatory. Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Act as a legal resource with respect to the Board's licensing of hearing representatives and qualifying officers. Participate in monthly licensing interviews. Question interviewees with respect to their knowledge of relevant law. Offer recommendations, along with other panel members, regarding whether to renew the licenses of hearing representatives and qualifying officers.

• Perform legal research and writing necessary to address issues raised by agency executive and non-executive staff, Board Members, other governmental entities and constituents of the workers' compensation system outside the agency; review applications for Full Board Review submitted pursuant to WCL § 23 and draft proposed decisions related to those applications for approval by Members of the Workers' Compensation Board. Such review and drafting will require articulating the issues raised on appeal, reviewing documents in the Board's files, ascertaining the facts, performing legal research, applying the law to the facts, and proposing a resolution in a proposed decision following a standardized format. In addition, the incumbent may be involved in special legal projects regarding legislation, regulations, or various legal issues concerning the application of Workers' Compensation Law, give presentations and Continuing Legal Education lectures, prepare legal opinions and briefs and be prepared to defend them as needed on behalf of the Board.

• Review case files in the Board's electronic case file (CIS) in which an application for Discretionary or Mandatory Full Board Review or a Notice of Appeal (NOA) to the Appellate Division, Third Department has been filed from a decision (MOD) of the Board Panel.

• Draft detailed and legally accurate memoranda of law articulating the issues raised on appeal. Make recommendations on modification or rescission of subject MOD or recommend denial of FBR and submit to the appropriate person for review.

• Prepare legal opinions and memoranda in response to inquiries regarding the Workers' Compensation Law on behalf of the Board and be prepared to defend them as needed.

• Respond to a variety of complex legal questions via written correspondence or telephone in response to inquiries regarding the Workers' Compensation Law from the Chair, the Board, General Counsel, other departments within the Board, other governmental agencies, claimants, members of the Bar, and the general public.

• Prepare for and give presentations and Continuing Legal Education lectures as assigned.

• Participate in special legal projects regarding rules and regulations, legislation, and other special assignments at the request of General Counsel or other supervisors, including such things as procedures, subject numbers, bills, forms and charts.

• Participate in "special projects" requested by the General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, Associate and/or Supervising Attorney in the Office of General Counsel.

• Upon direction of General Counsel or the Director of the Office of Issue Resolution, based upon the professional needs of the Board, serve as Senior Attorney in other legal functions within the Office of General Counsel or Adjudication.

Minimum Qualifications Candidates must be reachable on the appropriate Civil Service eligible list.

OR

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 this time, agencies may recruit and hire employees by making permanent non-competitive appointments and the official probationary period will begin.

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.

Position may be filled at the Senior Attorney level or one within the Legal Traineeship appointment levels. Appointment title will be dependent upon qualifications of candidate selected.

NON COMPETITIVE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Assistant Attorney 1 – Starting salary $66,951. Law School Graduation (or other eligibility to take the NYS Bar Examination).
Assistant Attorney 2 – Starting salary $74,193. Admission to NYS Bar.
Assistant Attorney 3 – Starting salary $82,326. One year as Assistant Attorney 2 or admission to the NYS Bar and one year of subsequent professional legal experience.
Senior Attorney – Starting salary $96,336. One year as an Assistant Attorney 3, or admission to the NYS bar and two years of post-licensure professional legal experience.

55 B/C QUALIFICATIONS:
Individuals certified eligible for the 55b/c program under the Governor’s Program to Hire Persons/Veterans with Disabilities pursuant to Section 55b/c of the Civil Service Law will also be considered. To be considered, you must meet the minimum qualifications and provide a copy of your letter of eligibility with your response. Candidates must meet the non-competitive minimum qualifications listed above.

TRANSFER QUALIFICATIONS:
Candidates must have one year of permanent competitive or 55 b/c service in a title designated as appropriate for transfer in accordance with Section 52.6, 70.1 OR 70.4 of the Civil Service law.
70.4 transfer candidates must have one year of permanent competitive service in a position allocated to a SG-16 or higher and possess a bachelor’s degree and have standing on the Legal Specialties exam list.

Additional Comments Please Note: This position requires both in-office and remote work. A hybrid telecommuting schedule can be discussed with the hiring manager during the interview.

We offer a work-life balance and a generous benefits package, including:

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
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
• 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).
• Eligibility for various life insurance options.
• Access to NY 529 and NY ABLE College Savings Program
• Flexible Spending Program, which allows employees to set aside pre-tax payroll deductions for eligible health care and dependent care expenses.

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 Workers’ Compensation Board (Board) is an equal opportunity employer. The Board does not discriminate based upon age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, military or veteran status, sex, disability (including pregnancy-related conditions), predisposing genetic characteristics, familial status, marital status, status as a victim of domestic violence, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. The Board is dedicated to eliminating injustices and ensuring diversity in our workforce so we can better serve our staff and create a space where all feel safe to be themselves. To help meet those goals, we encourage applicants from marginalized communities to apply. We are looking for candidates who are committed to working in and contributing to an environment that fosters a sense of belonging, as well as inclusion, and celebrates people of all backgrounds, identities, experiences, and perspectives.

We are happy to provide reasonable accommodations during the hiring process. If you have a disability or special need that requires a reasonable accommodation, please send a request to officeofgeneralcounsel@wcb.ny.gov

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

Job Tags

Permanent employment, Full time, Traineeship, Work at office, Remote work, Flexible hours,

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