Description:
Under executive direction of the General Counsel, with very wide latitude for the exercise of independent initiative and decision-making, The Special Counsel to the General Counsel is responsible for providing strategic legal advice and counsel concerning the development and implementation of new and high priority Agency initiatives, including, but not limited to, homelessness prevention initiatives, that may have a significant programmatic or fiscal impact upon the agency. The portfolio of programs the Special Counsel provides counsel on includes the IDNYC program and the Agency's various rental assistance programs. The Special Counsel has broad contact with senior agency staff, City Hall staff, and key partner agencies and represents the General Counsel (GC) / Chief Legal Affairs Officer (CLAO) in meetings with senior agency staff, and external stakeholders.The Office of the General Counsel of Legal Affairs is requesting to recruit for an Executive Agency Counsel M3 to function as the Special Counsel to the General Counsel, who will:
- Serve as a lead legal counsel for the Rental Assistance Programs (RAP), the New York City Identification Card Program (IDNYC) and other new initiatives, especially those that address key challenges associated with the Agency's homelessness prevention initiatives.
- Provide direct legal counsel, where appropriate, and coordinates OLA response where the expertise of other divisions within the Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) is required.
- Manage diverse litigation projects at the direction of the GC /CLAO frequently involving other managers and/or outside agencies/external partners. Track and monitor projects and assignments; to ensure timelines are met; and follow-up with DSS/HRA/DHS staff and external parties, as needed.
- Coordinate and review the legal analysis of federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations regarding agency initiatives involving significant legal or financial implications for the administration of benefits in the City.
- Review Agency policy proposals to determine if additional New York City Rules are legally required. Work in conjunction with relevant agency divisions and with the New York City Law Department, the Mayor's Office of Operations, and other City Agencies as appropriate, to draft New York City Rules for new initiative and to manage the logistics of the Agency's rulemaking process, including ensuring that notice is provided in compliance with the City Administrative Procedure Act (CAPA).
- Attend high level executive meetings on behalf of the GC/CLAO, seminars, and workshops as necessary and represent the GC/CLAO, appraise her on any legal issues/information collected at the meetings. Manage any required follow up, as assigned.
- Perform other duties and responsibilities that the General Counsel may assign.
Minimum Qualifications:
Admission to the New York State Bar; and four years of recent full-time responsible, relevant, satisfactory legal experience subsequent to admission to any bar, eighteen months of which must have been in the supervision of other attorneys, in an administrative, managerial or executive capacity, or performing highly complex and significant legal work.
Incumbents must remain Members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of this employment.
Preferred Skills:
Admission to the New York State Bar in good standing - Excellent legal writing, and analytical skills - Demonstrated communication and interpersonal skills - Ability to work in a fast-paced environment - Demonstrated organizational skills and the ability to effectively prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines - Ability to efficiently multi-task high-level projects
Residency Requirement:
New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.
