Attorney Level 2

Closing Date: 18th April, 2023

Description:

The Administration for Children's Services (ACS) protects and promotes the safety and well-being of New York City's children and families by providing child welfare, juvenile justice, and early care services. In child welfare, ACS contracts with private nonprofit organizations to support and stabilize families at risk of a crisis through preventive services and provides foster care services for children not able to safely remain at home. Each year, the agency's Division of Child Protection responds to more than 50,000 reports of suspected child abuse or neglect. In juvenile justice, ACS manages and funds services including detention and placement, intensive community-based alternatives for youth, and support services for families. ACS is also a key part of NYCs early childhood and education continuum, providing childcare assistance to thousands of child welfare involved and low-income children so they can access safe, affordable, quality care.

Family Court Legal Services (FCLS) is responsible for representing Children's Services in child neglect and abuse cases, permanency hearings, and other child welfare proceedings in the New York City Family Courts. FCLS Attorneys work collaboratively with caseworkers and other child welfare stakeholders to further the agency's mission of helping children and families achieve safety, permanency and well-being.

Specific duties will include:

• Meet with Child Protective caseworkers to identify and analyze complex legal problems and issues.
• Draft legal documents, including pleadings, motions and memoranda of law and fact by following generally acceptable legal procedures, forms and techniques in order to meet agency needs,
• goals and objectives.
• Represent the agency in Family Court on all aspects of child protective proceedings and other judicial proceedings including juvenile delinquency and Close to Home matters.
• Interview witnesses and other relevant parties to the litigation to determine admissibility of various types of evidence.
• Prepare and maintain case files and documents in advance of court appearances.
• Conduct legal research and regularly review relevant case laws and regulations to support legal opinions.
• Counsel Child Protective caseworkers and agency case planners on issues relating to permanency and well-being of children in foster care.
• Assist in the overall supervision of the Unit, including substituting for other legal staff in emergency situations and reviewing the work of the Unit.
• Assist in monitoring workflow, ensuring compliance with deadlines and preparation of reports and summaries.
• May train and oversee the work of Attorney Level Is and Attorney Internes, including during appearances in Family Court and Supreme Court.
• Perform complex legal research on issues that arise on cases and are relevant to the Unit.

Minimum Qual Requirements:

• 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.

Preferred Skills:
The preferred candidates should possess the following: excellent written and oral communication skills, knowledge and understanding of New York State child welfare laws, strong analytical thinking skills, and litigation experience.

Additional Information:
Section 424-A of the New York Social Services Law requires an authorized agency to inquire whether a candidate for employment with child-caring responsibilities has been the subject of a child abuse and maltreatment report.

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 StudentAid.gov/PSLF.

To Apply:
Applications Must Be Submitted Electronically Using One of The Options Below:

---