Counsel

Review Vacancy
Date Posted: 08/06/25
Applications Due: 09/03/25
Vacancy ID: 194928

Position Information

Agency NYS Division of Tax Appeals

Title Counsel

Occupational Category Legal

Salary Grade NS

Bargaining Unit M/C - Managerial/Confidential (Unrepresented)

Salary Range From $137,457 to $173,664 Annually

Employment Type Full-Time

Appointment Type Permanent

Jurisdictional Class Exempt Class

Travel Percentage 5%

Schedule Workweek Mon-Fri

Hours Per Week 37.50

Workday From 8:30 AM To 4:30 PM

Flextime allowed? No

Mandatory overtime? No

Compressed workweek allowed? No

Telecommuting allowed? Yes

Location

County Albany

Street Address Empire State Plaza, Agency Building One

City Albany

State NY

Zip Code 12223

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation from an accredited law school and admission to the New York State Bar.
  
• Seven years of post-Bar legal experience. Experience must be in New York State and/or federal tax laws.
  
• Excellent legal research and writing skills and must be able to draft preliminary decisions.
  
• Knowledge of the New York State and federal tax laws, regulations and related case law.
  
• Knowledge of the New York State administrative hearings process and procedures.
  
• Ability to analyze complex statutes, regulations and case law and communicate clearly.
  
• Ability to set priorities and meet deadlines effectively.
  
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
  

Duties Description:

The Counsel to the Tax Appeals Tribunal (Counsel) serves as the chief legal advisor to the Tax Appeals Tribunal (Tribunal) and chief legal officer for the Division of Tax Appeals. The Counsel is responsible for the overall direction and supervision of the Counsel’s Office, which is comprised of the Counsel, Assistant Counsel(s) and a paralegal. The Counsel reports directly to the President of the Tribunal and is a member of agency senior staff.

The responsibilities of the Counsel include:

• Ensure timely issuance of Tribunal decisions by managing the inventory of Tribunal cases; review exceptions (appeals) to Administrative Law Judge determinations and provide legal analysis of exceptions before the Tribunal; identify the issues raised in each exception.
  
• Research and draft decisions for consideration by the Tribunal.
  
• Research and edit Tribunal decisions drafted by Commissioners and Assistant Counsel prior to issuance and advise the Tribunal on the potential impact of its decisions.
  
• Supervise, train, and evaluate Assistant Counsel and provide day-to-day guidance on research and writing issues; assign Assistant Counsel Tribunal decisions to draft, including majority and dissenting opinions, when required, and memoranda for the Tribunal on the important issues, explaining the question, background, possible resolutions and the impact of such resolutions. Provide overall supervision of counsel staff.
  
• Attend deliberations of the Tribunal and assist in discussion and resolution of the issues.
  
• Assist the Tribunal in preparing for oral argument by briefing the Tribunal on issues that should be addressed at oral argument. Attend all oral arguments.
  
• Recommend rule and procedural changes pertaining to the operations of the Tribunal and the Division of Tax Appeals. Oversee the process for regulatory changes.
  
• Provide well-reasoned advice on substantive and procedural issues that arise in the course of the Tribunal�s activities.
  
• Attend monthly senior staff meetings and participate in agency policy decisions. . Serve as agency Ethics Officer. . Perform special projects as assigned by the President.
  

Additional Comments:

The NYS Tax Appeals Tribunal (Tribunal) is seeking candidates for a Counsel position. The Tribunal is the appellate level of the Division of Tax Appeals, New York State’s quasi-judicial administrative agency charged with resolving formal disputes between taxpayers and the Department of Taxation and Finance.

The Counsel position is a full-time, permanent position in the Exempt jurisdictional class, which reports to the President of the Tribunal.

• Telecommuting up to 40% is permitted with supervisor�s approval.
  
• 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 their 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 Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at info@oer.ny.gov.
  
• Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. DTA is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to workplace diversity.
  
• If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please send a request to resumes@dta.ny.gov. This position will require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
  

This position will require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.

Contact Information

Name John Oates

Telephone 518-266-3000

Fax 518-271-0886

Email Address resumes@dta.ny.gov

Address

Street Agency Building One

Empire State Plaza

City Albany

State NY

Zip Code 12223

Notes on Applying:

Please Submit a Letter of Interest and Resume to:

NYS Division of Tax Appeals

Agency Building 1

Empire State Plaza

Albany, NY 12223

Or Email Letter of Interest and Resume to:

resumes@dta.ny.gov

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $141,581.00 - $178,874.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
  
• Employee assistance program
  
• Employee discount
  
• Flexible spending account
  
• Health insurance
  
• Health savings account
  
• Life insurance
  
• Paid time off
  
• Parental leave
  
• Retirement plan
  
• Vision insurance
  

Work Location: In person