Closing Date: 11th January, 2026

Description:

The Office of General Counsel (OGC) provides legal advice and assistance to the entire agency. Specifically, OGC works to ensure that the innovative programs and initiatives at the Health Department are supported by a dedicated legal team. The OGC team is comprised of attorneys who work in a variety of areas including legal affairs (legal and policy analysis; health code enforcement; records access), contracts, privacy, and employment law. OGC also houses the Institutional Review Board and attorneys working in the Assisted Outpatient Treatment program.

Duties Will Include but Not Be Limited To:
The Associate General Counsel will function as an integral member of the OGC legal team. Under general direction from the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel, they will serve as an attorney for the Legal Affairs Unit, providing support on an array of public health legal and policy issues, and may be requested to:

Exercise a wide latitude of legal knowledge and judgement.
Litigate complex and significant cases at OATH, as needed.
Conduct legal research and draft written analyses as needed, often on time-sensitive basis.
Draft important and complex legal statements and provide recommendations on questions of law and public health and/or administrative policy.
Draft amendments to the NYC Health Code and Commissioner of Health regulations. Draft legal documents including Orders of the Commissioner, as well as varied types of agreements, contracts, and/or memoranda of understanding.
Assist in compiling and reviewing records in response to complex Freedom of Information Law requests, including large-scale eDiscovery projects.
Maintain sensitive and confidential information.
Manage and distribute information accurately and appropriately.
Monitor the workflow, ensuring compliance with deadlines, and preparing reports and summaries.
Attend to other ad hoc projects and tasks, as needed or assigned.

Preferred Skills:

Possess excellent research and writing skills.
Establish positive working relationships with co-workers and programs.
Highly detail-oriented with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects
Ability to use online legal research platforms such as Westlaw, CLEAR, and Lexis Nexis
Current working knowledge of Health Department procedures, policies and practices is a plus
Current experience in or knowledge and interest in Freedom of Information Law requests, Privacy Issues, Day Care and Restaurant Enforcement and other public health matters is a plus

Why you should work for us:

Benefits: City employees are entitled to unmatched benefits such as:a premium-free health insurance plan that saves employees over $10K annually, per a 2024 assessment.additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position's associated union/benefit fund.a public sector defined benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement.a tax-deferred savings program anda robust Worksite Wellness Program that offers resources and opportunities to keep you healthy while serving New Yorkers.
Work From Home Policy: Depending on your position, you may be able to work up to two days during the week from home.
Job Security - you could enjoy more job security compared to private sector employment and be able to contribute to making NYC a healthy place to live and work.

Established in 1805, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health Department) is the oldest and largest health department in the U.S., dedicated to protecting and improving the health of NYC. Our mission is to safeguard the health of every resident and cultivate a city where everyone, regardless of age, background, or location, can achieve their optimal health. We provide a wide array of programs and services focused on food and nutrition, anti-tobacco support, chronic disease prevention, HIV/AIDS treatment, family and child health, environmental health, mental health, and social justice initiatives. As the primary population health strategist and policy authority for NYC, with a rich history of public health initiatives and scientific advancements, from addressing the 1822 yellow fever outbreak to the COVID-19 pandemic, we serve as a global leader in public health innovation and expertise.

Come join us and help to continue our efforts in making a difference in the lives of all New Yorkers!

The NYC Health Department is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation to all individuals. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact Sye-Eun Ahn, Director of the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, at sahn1@health.nyc.gov or 347-396-6549

Agency Attorney - 30087

Minimum Qualifications:

Admission to the New York State Bar; and either "2" or "3" below.
One year of satisfactory United States legal experience subsequent to admission to any state bar; or
Six months of satisfactory service as an Agency Attorney Interne (30086).

Incumbents must remain Members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of this employment.

In addition to meeting the minimum Qualification Requirements:
To be assigned to Assignment Level (AL) II, candidates must have one year of experience at Assignment Level I or two years of comparable legal experience subsequent to admission to the bar, in the areas of law related to the assignment. To be assigned to AL III candidates must have two years of experience in Assignment Levels I and/or II or three years of comparable legal experience subsequent to admission to the bar, in the areas of law related to the assignment.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education's website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

Residency Requirement:
New York City Residency is not required for this position

Additional Information:
The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.