The Department of Social Services' (DSS) Office of Legal Affairs provides legal guidance, litigation support, and direct representation in state and federal courts and administrative agencies to the Department of Social Services and all DSS program areas to ensure the delivery of social services consistent with federal, state and local laws and regulations.
The APS/LPCU provides litigation support and counseling to HRA’s Adult Protective Services Program (APS). On behalf of the city’s most vulnerable at-risk, impaired adult population, the APS program makes referrals to APS/LPCU for legal review of proceedings for stays of eviction and appointments of Guardians ad litem in the Civil Court, or for Mental Hygiene Law (MHL) Article 81 guardianship in the Supreme Court. The unit’s attorneys review such referrals for legal sufficiency and where the legal standard is met will draft pleadings and adjudicate such proceedings. Failure to provide these legal services to APS could expose HRA to State imposed sanctions for failure to comply with APS statutes and regulations, as well as, placing a frail and vulnerable population at risk.
The Office of the General Counsel / Office of Legal Affairs is recruiting for an Agency Attorney IV for their Adult Protective Services Litigation and Program Counseling Unit (APS/LPCU) to function as Supervising Attorney who will:
- Supervise a team of attorneys who provide counsel to and support of the APS program.
- Train and mentor new legal and support staff.
- Assign, review, revise and prepare opinions and legal documents in all areas of law.
- Assign litigation matters to subordinate attorneys.
- Review and edit court papers.
- Assist staff with developing appropriate litigation strategies.
- Initiating coordinating and monitoring new projects developed to support APS mandates and objectives.
- Monitor time and leave of subordinate staff. Evaluate and rate staff job performance. Supervise and monitor staff adherence to agency policies.
- Assist the Executive Agency Counsels of the unit in management planning decisions, program counseling and strategies affecting the unit.
- Conduct staff meetings and/or briefings relevant to legal status of assigned cases; prepare reports with recommendations for managerial decision and action.
Work Location: 4 World Trade Center, 150 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10007
Hours/Schedule: Monday through Friday 9am – 5 pm with flex
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.