The New York City Department of Correction (DOC) is an integral part of the City’s evolving criminal justice system, participating in reform initiatives and strategies aimed to move the City towards a smaller jail system without compromising public safety. The DOC is responsible for maintaining a safe and secure environment for our employees, visitors, volunteers, and people in our custody. Importantly, safe jails enable DOC to provide people in custody with the tools and opportunities they need to successfully re-enter their communities. The DOC operates facilities and court commands across the five boroughs with more than 7,500 diverse professionals and knowledgeable experts.

The Office of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) is integral to the Department of Corrections’ efforts to ensure the integrity, professionalism, and accountability of its staff. The EEO Unit is responsible for conducting highly sensitive and confidential investigations into departmental employee complaints of discrimination and/or harassment. Additionally, the EEO unit is responsible for responding to all requests for reasonable accommodations. Reasonable accommodation requests are made in connection with disabilities, pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, religious beliefs, observances, and practices, or for victims of domestic violence, sex offenses, or stalking.

The selected candidates’ primary function will be to analyze, evaluate, and conduct fact-finding investigations concerning complaints of discrimination filed by employees; perform EEO legal work and research, including fact-finding and questions of law. Additionally, the EEO Attorney will be tasked with interviewing charging parties, witnesses, and respondents to gather facts relevant to charges of discriminatory employment practices. The EEO Attorney would also collect documentation about agency policies and procedures, as well as statistical evidence pertinent to the complaint of discrimination. The EEO Attorney will also be engaged in activities including, but not limited to, writing an investigative plan and reports; outlining case questions to be asked and determining which documents to request; contacting members of service and/or EEO liaisons for additional information; gathering all relevant supporting documents; recommending penalties and resolutions; and providing advice on EEO legal matters.

In addition, the EEO Attorney will be tasked with working with the Disability Rights Coordinator (DRC) as needed to determine eligibility and effective accommodations for individuals with disabilities under the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), ADAAA, Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act, and other applicable city, state and federal civil rights legislation; engage in and thoroughly document cooperative dialogue with reasonable accommodation applicants, conduct legal research in preparation of determinations; verify disability documentation provided by physicians or other appropriate professionals to determine eligibility and functional limitations requiring accommodations; thoroughly document basis for determination of eligibility for disability accommodations and services; ensure timely review of applications, eligibility, determination, and notification of accommodations; draft letters memorializing cooperative dialogue and determination of requests; maintain files in a highly confidential manner; and compile and analyze data to prepare reports and other outputs. The RA Attorney will also conduct regular and comprehensive assessments of the effectiveness of support resources by collecting and analyzing data; work collaboratively to assist with other department assessment activities; participate in the development of a tracking initiative; provide input on policy and program development for the office; and perform other duties as assigned.

Attorney assigned to EEO must be familiar with the Department and City’s EEO and RA policy. Attorney may be required to visit facilities for site visits or other purposes at times.

Preferred Skills:

Excellent communications skills.
Strong analytical and writing skills.
Ability to be objective and thorough in conducting investigations.
Knowledge of Federal, State and City of New York discrimination laws.

AGENCY ATTORNEY - 30087

1. Admission to the New York State Bar; and either "2" or "3" below.
2. One year of satisfactory United States legal experience subsequent to admission to any state bar; or
3. 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.

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.