The Office of Asylum Seeker Operations is leading New York City’s response to, and service provision for, the influx of asylum seekers. New York City’s response is unique throughout the nation and includes complex services for asylum seekers, including but not limited to legal supports, advocacy, shelter, education, workforce training, clothing and food donations, and collaboration with faith-based and community-based organizations.

The Office of Asylum Seeker Operations (OASO) coordinates between agencies, makes sure that agencies have the resources they need, and manages the City’s advocacy to the state and federal governments. The Office also leads strategic planning for the City’s response, including long-term planning and policy drafting.

Asylum Application Help Center
In June 2023, OASO opened the Asylum Application Help Center (AAHC) at the Red Cross in Midtown. Under the direction of City managers, the AAHC supports hundreds of asylum seekers per week with immediate, high-quality assistance preparing and submitting applications for asylum pro se. The AAHC does not offer full representation.

Interested asylum seekers are scheduled for one-on-one appointments at the application help center, where trained application assistants work with the applicant to answer questions. Experienced immigration lawyers are on site to supervise application assistants and provide guidance; interpreters are on site to provide in-person language assistance.

The Office of Asylum Seeker Operations (OASO) is recruiting for one (1) Executive Agency Counsel M3, to function as the Legal Director, Asylum Application Help Center, who will:

- Report to the AAHC Executive Director, will serve as the on-site lead on all legal matters.
In addition, the Legal Director will advise OASO staff and leadership on strategies for
immigration legal services that align with the City’s goals.

- Supervise a daily roster of 5-15 contracted temporary immigration attorneys, who are in turn
supervising paid and volunteer application assistants.

- Lead daily on-site training for supervisors and, when needed, application assistants.

- Ensure training and client materials are accurate, working with vendors to make updates as
needed.

- Maintain open lines of communication with the Operational Directors and Legal Directors, and
Immigration Supervisors working the volunteer floor as needed.

- Advise OASO, Mayor’s Office leadership, and City agencies regarding immigration legal services
and other immigration-related policy matters.

- Comply with NYC program guidance and reporting requirements.

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.

- Experience post admission to practice law. - Experience with immigration law. - Experience with and knowledge of NYC Government. - Ability to work with many stakeholders and respond promptly to email. - Flexible, can-do attitude, with a strong sense of teamwork. - A willingness to undergo training about immigration procedures. - Proficiency in Spanish is preferred, but not required.

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/.

New York City Residency is not required for this position

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.