Senior Attorney Jobs in Ridgewood, NJ (NOW HIRING)

Duties Description Reporting to an Associate Counsel, the incumbent of this position will serve in the Office of Cannabis Management's Office of General Counsel and will manage a portion of the legal portfolio, including but not limited to one or more of the following areas of practice common to a regulatory agency: legislation and statutory interpretation, regulatory development, licensing, compliance, enforcement, administrative hearings, external litigation, contract review, and other matters fundamental to governmental administration. More generally, the incumbent will assist with carrying out general legal responsibilities for the Office of Cannabis Management (Office) and the Cannabis Control Board (Board), including researching, analyzing and interpreting laws applicable to the Office and Board. The incumbent will also be expected to attend meetings as needed, provide legal advice to Office staff, and communicate well internally and externally.

Duties include, but are not limited to: Conduct legal research and prepare legal memoranda with opinions and citations and legal precedents in support of Office and Board programs. Represent the Office in administrative matters, including administrative hearings, conduct interviews and prepare witnesses, present evidence, and draft necessary briefs and motions. Manage assigned cases and prepare periodic status reports.

Provide legal counsel, advice, and strategies in support of the Office and Board. Respond to daily requests arising from interaction with Office business units or as assigned by the Associate Counsel and General Counsel. Participate in and assist with the design, development, and implementation of Memoranda of Understanding, Service-Level Agreements, or other agreements.

Prepare program bill packages as requested including bill summary, text of legislation and supporting memoranda relating to laws affecting the Office and Board, and evaluate, comment, and make recommendations on legislative proposals in this area by other agencies and the private sector. Assist as necessary with preparation and finalization of rules and regulations in support of the Office and Board's business units including processing in accordance with the State Administrative Procedure Act. Handle and process FOIL requests on behalf of the Office and Board.

Other duties may be assigned as appropriate. Minimum Qualifications This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS)* and applicants must meet the following minimum qualifications to be considered for this position: This title includes a traineeship opportunity and applicants will be appointed to the appropriate level** based on experience. Required experience: qualifying legal experience includes applicable experience earned post-NYS Bar Admission.

**Senior Attorney level requirements: Assistant Attorney 1 (equated to SG-18): Law school graduation and/or eligibility for NYS Bar Admission, and no qualifying post-Bar experience. Assistant Attorney 2 (equated to SG-20): Admission to NYS Bar. Assistant Attorney 3 (equated to SG-22): Admission to NYS Bar and 12 months of qualifying post-Bar legal experience.

Senior Attorney (SG-25): Admission to NYS Bar and two years of qualifying post-Bar legal experience. Applicants may be appointed to this position if currently reachable on the appropriate eligible list for this title OR are a current New York State employee with one year or more of qualifying permanent service in a position allocated to a Grade 23 or above and eligible for transfer under Section 52.6 or 70.1 of the Civil Service Law AND possess a Juris Doctorate degree, have good standing with NYS Bar admission, and two-years of post-bar experience. Preferred Qualifications: The ideal candidate will be able to work independently and as a member of a team focused on building an equitable, safe, and legal cannabis industry in New York State

The incumbent should enjoy a fast-paced environment, in which novel issues of law are presented for legal review and analysis on a regular basis. NOTE: IN ORDER TO AWARD THE PROPER CREDIT FOR WORK EXPERIENCE, RESUMES MUST INCLUDE MONTH AND YEAR FOR START AND END DATES. IF ANY OF THIS EXPERIENCE IS LESS THAN FULL TIME YOU MUST INDICATE THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF HOURS WORKED PER WEEK.

Additional Comments Travel may be required (approximately 10%), including during evening and weekends, depending on mission and assignment. Possession and maintenance of a valid Driver's License issued by the NYS Department of Motor Vehicle is required, or otherwise demonstrate the capacity to meet the transportation needs of the job. *There is no examination required for appointment to a NY HELPS position.

Candidates hired via NY HELPS will be appointed on a permanent non-competitive basis and will begin a probationary period. At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), it is expected that NY HELPS employees will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to take an exam. Employees will then be afforded with all 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. The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) is an equal opportunity employer, and we recognize that diversity in our workforce is critical to fulfilling our mission. We encourage applicants from all communities to apply.

For a full version of OCM's EEO/AA statement and benefits of joining OCM, please visit: About | Office of Cannabis Management (ny.gov). NYS Office of Cannabis Management does not participate in E-Verify and does not sponsor visa applications. NOTE ON TELECOMMUTING: Employees are required to apply and obtain approval through management to telecommute according to the agency's Telecommuting Program Guidelines

Downstate: Location Pay of $4,000 Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.