The Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) provides legal counsel, litigation, contract and employment law services to DSS, HRA, and DHS’s administrative and program areas to ensure the delivery of social services consistent with the federal, state and local laws and regulations.

The Special Counsel will report to the General Counsel/Chief Legal Affairs Officer (GC/CLAO), and assist in coordinating the work of the Office of the General Counsel (OGC), which includes the Office of Legal Affairs, the Fair Hearing Administration, Office of Policy Procedures and Training, Office of Contracts, and Office of Advocacy. The Special Counsel to Legal Affairs provides litigation support in the interpretation of complex legal documents and legal issues pertaining to agency initiatives with emphasis on initiatives that are shared between DHS and HRA. The Special Counsel provides strategic legal advice and works in partnership with the GC/CLAO’s executive staff to develop viable solutions on significant legal and programmatic issues. The Special Counsel to Legal Affairs has broad contact with senior agency staff, City Hall staff, and key partner agencies and represents the Chief Legal Affairs Officer in meetings with senior agency staff, and external stakeholders.

The Office of Legal Affairs is recruiting an Executive Agency Counsel M-1 to serve as Special Counsel to the Office of the General Counsel who will:

- Coordinate and reviews 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. Advises the General Counsel/Chief Legal Affairs Officer, Deputy Chief Legal Affairs Officer, Executive Deputy Commissioner, and other senior program staff regarding legal matters related to time sensitive and high-profile agency initiatives. May act as a point of contact with outside counsel.

- Counsel DSS/HRA/DSS program operations executive staff on litigation matters and makes recommendations as directed by the GC/CLAO. In the temporary absence of the GC/CLAO, may respond to and provides advice, consultation, and recommendations, with respect to critical legal and policy issues, to senior program staff and DHS/HRA Administrators.
- Attends high level executive meetings on behalf of the GC/CLAO, seminars, and workshops as necessary and represents the GC/CLAO, appraises her on any legal issues/information collected at the meetings. Manages any required follow up, as assigned.

- Coordinate and directs legal matters related to the Office of Legal Affairs, Fair Hearing Administration, and Office of Policy, Procedures and Training with City Hall, the NYC Law Department, and Office of Temporary Disability Assistance and other governmental agencies as needed. Reviews, analyzes, and organizes information and responses on legal matters. Disseminates information from governmental agencies as needed to improve compliance with City Hall and Law Department mandates and NY State administrative policies.

- Direct drafting, preparation, and review of complex legal documents for critical initiatives. Creates, composes, and edits correspondence, reports and other legal documents including examining applicable laws/ rules and regulations that may govern the subject matter.

- Manage diverse litigation projects at the direction of the GC/CLAO frequently involving other managers and/or outside agencies/external partners. Tracks and monitors projects and assignments; ensures timelines are met; and follows-up with DSS/HRA/DHS staff and external parties, as needed.

- Perform other duties and responsibilities that the GC/CLAO may assign.

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.

- Strong interpersonal skills - Ability to handle varied matters on a fast and flexible basis - Excellent legal research and writing skills - Ability to plan and schedule a large number of cases - Good judgment in matters of policy strategy - Demonstrated litigation and research skills - Comprehensive knowledge of Civil Practice Law and Rules, Social Services Law and state guidance on temporary housing assistance. - Self-motivated and organized.

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.