General Counsel in Basildon

Under the general direction of the Executive Director, the Counsel provides legal advice to the Agency Chairperson, members, and Executive Director. The Counsel is the director of the Agency’s legal staff and supervises legal advice to the public, acting as a direct liaison with the Governor’s Counsel.

During Agency meetings, the Counsel sits with the Agency Chair and Executive Director at the table for Agency Board deliberations. The Counsel exercises delegated responsibilities set forth in the Agency’s Delegation Resolution, which assigns management roles for the Agency’s Executive Director, Counsel, and Deputy Directors for Planning and Regulatory Affairs.

The Counsel advises the Agency in the development of policies and practices in connection with the administration and enforcement of the Adirondack Park Act, including the Adirondack Park Land Use and Development Plan, and the statewide Freshwater Wetlands Act and Wild, Scenic and Recreational Rivers System Act as these laws pertain to the Adirondack Park. The Counsel must also advise the Agency in all legal aspects relative to the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan and its implementation.

The Counsel participates in the formulation and carrying out of staff level policies and practices including but not limited to the following:

• Providing legal services and advice to the Agency’s regulatory, local planning assistance, state land, and Park planning programs.
• Preparing all proposed rules and regulations required in the administration and enforcement of the laws charged to the Agency and supervising legal staff in the conduct of all public hearings required for their promulgation.
• Responsible for interpretations of the Agency’s laws, rules and regulations, and the preparation of opinions on these for the Agency members as required.
• Responsible for oversight of responses to all inquiries from landowners and developers as to the Agency’s jurisdiction over land use and development within the Adirondack Park.
• Responsible for providing legal oversight in planning, zoning, and other land use controls to the Adirondack Park’s 101 local governments.
• Responsible for providing and preparing legislation relative to all Agency programs and communicating potential actions to the Governor’s Legislative Secretary.
• The Counsel is the Agency’s liaison to the Attorney General’s office, the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government, and other agencies at the direction of the Board or the Executive Director.
• Responsible for the review and analysis of pending state and federal legislation as it might affect Agency programs.
• Responsible for negotiations, preparation, and processing of third-party contracts and provision of day-to-day legal services.
• Responsible for organizing and conducting legal workshops throughout the Adirondack Park with lawyers, bankers, real estate brokers, etc. in order to explain and keep the public current relative to Agency laws and regulations.

Minimum Qualifications: Law degree from an accredited law school; admission to, and member in good standing of, the New York State Bar; and six years of relevant post-bar experience.