About The State University of New York and SUNY Upstate Medical University:

The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY's 64 colleges and universities. 

SUNY Upstate Medical University, located in Syracuse NY, is 1 of approximately 150 academic medical centers in the United States.  Upstate University operates 4 colleges, including a College of Medicine, 2 hospital campuses with approximately 700 total licensed beds, a Cancer Center and Children’s Hospital, as well as many other satellite patient care facilities throughout CNY.  Upstate operates the only Level 1 trauma center and burn center in the Central New York region.  Upstate is also the largest employer in CNY, employing over 10,000 people.

About the Office of General Counsel:

Under the leadership of the Senior Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs and General Counsel, the SUNY Office of General Counsel is responsible for providing legal services to the System and the 29 State-operated campuses.  The OGC consists of more than 45 experienced higher education attorneys, paralegals and support staff located in Albany at the System Administration headquarters and in campus-based offices at the four University Centers, Health Science Centers, and various SUNY colleges. 

The legal practice of the OGC involves a substantial array of topics, including public procurement, governance and ethics, legislation, healthcare operations, capital construction, public finance, employment, labor grievances and arbitration, litigation oversight (the State's Attorney General defends litigation brought against the University), student affairs, and the use of real property, among others.  The OGC represents the State University in interactions with State officials who may regulate the affairs of the State University, including the Attorney General, State Comptroller, the Governor and staff, and members of the State Legislature and staff as well as other state and local agencies and entities. 

This position reports directly to the Chief Campus Counsel of SUNY Upstate OGC and indirectly to the SUNY Vice Chancellor of Legal Affairs and General Counsel in Albany, N.Y. In addition, the Staff Counsel interfaces with other OGC colleagues across the SUNY System to coordinate the delivery of excellent legal services, including participation in OGC staff meetings with the SUNY GC and trainings.

Job Description:

As an attorney in the Upstate OGC office, you will primarily assist the other attorneys located in the Upstate OGC office with procurement, contracts, and business transactions.

Over time, responsibilities will include reviewing, negotiating, drafting, finalizing and assisting with obtaining regulatory approval for contracts for the organization; advising on solicitation document compliance, responses to regulatory audit questions; debriefings; bid protests and bid protest appeals; draft and/or reviewing a full array of agreements which include data use agreements; short-term licensing agreements for use of commercial space; affiliation and partnership agreements; and, other forms of agreement, where required; drafting and reviewing interagency Memoranda of Understanding ("MOU"); handling emergency procurements; researching legal issues, statutory and regulatory interpretation; answering legal inquiries from attorneys within the SUNY Upstate OGC office and campus clients; as well as other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

· Juris Doctor from an accredited ABA law school (or foreign equivalent degree).

· Admission to the New York State Bar and a strong academic background and a demonstrated interest in transactional and contract law. 

· This entry-level attorney will be expected to deliver consistent, high quality, timely and efficient legal services to SUNY Upstate leadership, consistent with the standards of professional conduct. The attorney will also be expected to stay apprised of updates in laws and regulations having an impact on the areas for which the attorney is responsible. The successful candidate will be based at the Syracuse OGC regional office at SUNY Upstate.

Preferred Qualifications:

· Knowledge of applicable federal and State of New York laws and regulations related to transactions and contracts;

· Superior written and oral communication and interpersonal skills; and

· Strong analytical and legal research skills. 

Work Days:

Monday-Friday, days

Message to Applicants:

Additional Information:

• This position is located in Syracuse, New York. Limited telecommuting may be available. Some travel may be required depending on the needs of clients.
• Management/Confidential appointments work under the leadership and discretion of the appointing authority and are not represented by a union.
• Offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment background check and verification of degree(s) and credentials.

Salary is dependent on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, experience, education, training, and certifications.

Excellent Benefit Package which includes: NYS health insurance, free dental and vision coverage, competitive retirement options, tuition assistance, parental leave at full pay, and generous vacation, sick, and holiday time.

Recruitment Office: Human Resources

Executive Order:

Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor's Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at info@goer.ny.gov.