Attorney Assistant Attorney General, Environmental Protection Bureau - NYC (3761)

Duties Description Social Justice Division

Environmental Protection Bureau - Albany or New York City

Assistant Attorneys General

Reference No. EPB_AAG_3761

Application Deadline is February 14, 2025

Prior experience litigating environmental and energy cases and knowledge of state and federal environmental statutes is not required. This position is an excellent opportunity for litigators to laterally transition to an environmental justice and environmental litigation practice while joining a supportive and collegial team of professionals working together to protect the rights of all New Yorkers to clean air, clean water, and safe and healthy communities.

The Office of the New York State Attorney General's (OAG) Environmental Protection Bureau is seeking litigators to serve in the Albany or New York City offices. This position involves representing the state in environmental, public health, and energy matters in lawsuits in state and federal court, and in proceedings before administrative agencies. The Environmental Protection Bureau enforces state and federal environmental laws that protect New Yorkers' rights to clean air, clean water, and safe and healthy communities, and conducts investigations into violations of those laws. The bureau is focused on advancing environmental justice throughout the state, including addressing the inequitable distribution of pollution and other environmental health burdens, and associated health disparities. The bureau also defends in both federal and state courts the state's executive agencies charged with environmental responsibilities, including the Departments of Environmental Conservation, Health, and Transportation; the Adirondack Park Agency; and the Lake George Park Commission, among others. The bureau is a national leader in multistate federal environmental advocacy and litigation.

This opening is primarily for attorneys interested in affirmative litigation and investigations to enforce state and federal environmental laws and regulations. Recent matters handled by the bureau's attorneys include leading a multistate coalition in litigation to defend EPA's greenhouse gas emissions standards for fossil fuel-fired power plants; a natural resource damages action to recover for the lost use of a public park in an environmental justice community as a result of illicit dumping; advocating for national standards to protect workers from extreme heat; lead paint hazard enforcement in low-income residential housing; and school bus engine idling enforcement. Attorneys also develop and litigate contaminated site cleanup cost recovery actions, and recently negotiated agreements regarding the decommissioning and cleanup of nuclear power plants and surrounding sites that are viewed as national models.

Minimum Qualifications Qualifications :

• Applicants should have some experience litigating in federal or state courts, including performing several of the following : writing briefs (or portions of briefs), performing document review, conducting depositions or other witness examinations, appearing in court, and conducting or participating in settlement negotiations.
• Alternatively, the bureau will also consider applicants who have completed state or federal court clerkships as a substitute for hands-on litigation experience.
• Excellent research, reasoning, and writing skills, including completing quality writing assignments in a short timeframe.
• Comfortable arguing (or learning to argue) before a court.
• Self-directed with the ability to independently manage assignments, deadlines, and priorities.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship management skills, particularly when engaging with members of the public, scientific and technical staff, expert and fact witnesses, administrative agencies, and other members of litigation teams.
• A demonstrated commitment to public service.

The OAG is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a workplace that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. We are seeking a diverse pool of candidates who are creative thinkers with strong writing, analytical, and organizational skills as well as a demonstrated commitment to public service and social, economic, and criminal justice. Applicants who are members of groups underrepresented in attorney roles, which include but are not limited to Black, Latinx, Indigenous American, Asian and Pacific Islander persons; women; persons with disabilities; and LGBTQ persons are particularly encouraged to apply. Fluency in other languages is a plus, but not required.

Applicants must reside in (or intend to soon become a resident of) New York state and be admitted to practice law in New York state. In addition, the Public Officers Law requires that OAG attorneys be citizens of the United States. A two (2) year commitment upon being hired is a condition of employment.

Additional Comments The salary range for this position is $81,159 - $173,265 $3,400 in location pay (New York City location only). To learn more about attorney compensation, please visit the following page :

ag.ny.gov / sites / default / files / assistant_attorney_general_compensation.pdf

As an employee of OAG, you will join a team of dedicated individuals who work to serve the people of our state through a wide variety of occupations. We offer a comprehensive New York state benefits package, including paid leave, health, dental, vision, and retirement benefits, and family-friendly policies. Additionally, OAG offers a robust Workplace Flexibilities Program with multiple options for employees, including telecommuting (up to two days per week) and alternative work schedules.

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

Name Legal Recruitment

Telephone 2124168080

Email Address recruitment@ag.ny.gov

Address

Street 28 Liberty St

Legal Recruitment Bureau

City New York

State NY

Zip Code 10005

Notes on Applying Applications must be submitted online. Applicants must be prepared to submit a complete application consisting of the following :

Applicants must be prepared to submit a complete application consisting of the following :

Salary : $81,159 - $173,265