Senior Attorney

Attorney Position at Higher Education Services Corporation

Duties Description

The Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) is New York State's higher education student financial aid agency, awarding nearly $1 billion in financial aid to more than 330,00 students each year. HESC helps New Yorkers pay for college through the administration of New York's Tuition Assistant Program (TAP) and more than 25 other scholarship and loan forgiveness programs.

Under the direction of an Associate Attorney and General Counsel, attorneys may be assigned the following duties:

• Provide legal advice to HESC's Executive Staff, managers, and administrators on issues that impact HESC's mission and student financial aid programs.
• Assist in the procurement process by reviewing and/or drafting contracts and MOUs, working with agency staff and the Office of State Comptroller and the Office of the Attorney General as necessary
• Research and respond to inquiries from legislative staff regarding constituents and reply to executive correspondence on behalf of the agency.
• In consultation with the General Counsel and the Office of the Attorney General, develop the agency position and strategy for responding to litigation
• Review and respond to bankruptcy filings using PACER and provide guidance to staff related to bankruptcy matters.
• Assist on other special projects and assignments as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Note: HESC's business hours require working between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

This position may be 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. For more information on this program, please visit the NYS Department of Civil Service website, 55b/c Recruitment Resources Center (ny.gov).

Minimum Qualifications

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 maybe 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 temporary appointments. In May 2024, if a temporary NY HELPS employee is satisfactorily performing in the position, the appointment will be changed from temporary pending Civil Service Commission Action to permanent non-competitive 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- Must be Law school graduation and/or eligibility for NYS Bar Admission
• Assistant Attorney 2- Admission to NYS Bar
• 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.

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.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Admission to the NYS Bar and 24 months of subsequent satisfactory legal experience
• At least 2 years of experience as in-house counsel and/or in the public sector
• Experience collaborating across teams, researching complex legal issues and writing memoranda on such issues in a fast-paced environment and handling a wide range of legal matters

Additional Comments

There are multiple vacancies in this title at this agency.

Telecommuting Information: HESC employees may be approved for a telecommuting schedule of up to 50% remote work. Employees are required to apply and obtain approval through management in accordance with HESC Pilot Telecommuting Program Guidelines.

Note: HESC's business hours require working between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

This position may be 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. For more information on this program, please visit the NYS Department of Civil Service website, 55b/c Recruitment Resources Center (ny.gov).

NYS is an equal opportunity employer.

Benefits of Working for NYS

Generous benefits package, worth 65% of salary, including:

• Holiday & Paid Time Off
• Thirteen (13) paid holidays annually, plus two (2) floating holidays
• Up to Thirteen (13) days of paid vacation leave annually
• Up to Five (5) days of paid personal leave annually
• Up to Thirteen (13) days of paid sick leave annually for CSEA or PEF; up to eight (8) days of paid sick leave annually for M/C
• Up to three (3) days of professional leave annually to participate in professional development

Health Care Benefits

Eligible employees and dependents can pick from a variety of affordable health insurance programs

Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost

Additional Benefits

New York State Employees' Retirement System (ERS) Membership

NYS Deferred Compensation

Access to NY 529 and NY ABLE College Savings Programs, as well as U.S. Savings Bonds

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

And many more!

Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. HESC is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to workplace diversity.

Method of Application: Apply by submitting an updated resume and cover letter to Human Resources via e-mail at View email address on click.appcast.io by the filing deadline listed in this posting.