Associate Counsel

New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) is the State’s affordable housing agency, with a mission to build, preserve, and protect affordable housing and increase homeownership throughout New York State.

 A Civil Service exam is not required for this position. Candidates must meet the minimum qualifications outlined below to be considered.

 NYS Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) is committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Our work would not be possible without the diverse backgrounds, experiences, ideas, and abilities of our employees. HCR is committed to developing a workforce which represents the diverse population of New York State. HCR embraces a diverse and inclusive work environment by encouraging all individuals, including those with disabilities, to apply to open positions at the agency.

The Office of Legal Affairs provides legal advice, counsel and representation to all the Agencies’ offices and program areas and ensures that all matters comply with federal and state legal mandates. The primary functions are organized within four major subject matter areas or units, General Law, Litigation, Hearings, and Transactions.

Job Summary:
The Attorney / Associate Counsel reports to the Deputy General Counsel of the New York State Housing Finance Agency Legal Department and serves as counsel for HCR in negotiating, analyzing, structuring, and closing secured loan real estate transactions. Additionally, the Attorney / Associate Counsel may be responsible for assisting on multi-family and single-family housing bond issuances, drafting legislation, preparation of materials for consideration by the Agency’s Boards, Agency administrative matters and other legal areas as required, as well as supervision of legal support staff engaged in similar duties. The Attorney / Associate Counsel will also perform legal services related to the Agency’s loan management, asset management, mortgage enforcement efforts, and architect and construction contracts.

New York State Homes and Community Renewal currently offers the possibility of a hybrid workplace through our Telecommuting Pilot Program. Participation in this program requires an application process that must be approved. Participation is not guaranteed.

Who you are: 

• Must be admitted to the practice of law in New York State.
• 5+ years’ experience, including experience in corporate, real estate, construction, and/or financing transactions. Candidate must have at least 1 year of experience supervising other attorneys and support staff.
• Experience and/or familiarity with real estate lending, public finance, construction lending and mortgage loan portfolio management.
• Knowledge of environmental law, tax law, and rent regulation preferred but not required.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with borrower’s and lender’s counsel along with HCR staff and attorneys.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills. 

This job description is not intended to be all inclusive and employee will be expected to perform other reasonably related duties as assigned.

What we offer at NYSHCR: 

• Extensive benefits package including paid leave, including excellent health, dental, vision and retirement benefits with the New York State & Local Employees’ Retirement System.
• Promotional opportunity for dedicated professionals
• Work life balance benefits including a 37.5 hour work week and paid time off benefits including, vacation, sick, personal days, and Federal Holidays
• Opportunity for compressed scheduling
• 12 weeks of Paid Parental Leave
• Paid Family Leave
• Opportunity for compressed/flextime scheduling

Additional SONYMA/HFA/AHC Benefits: 

• Cash in for Wellness! This program provides you with the option of buying or renewing a health club membership of your choice or enrolling in a weight loss and or smoking cessation program, using your sick leave accruals.
• Tuition reimbursement program – for job related and non-job related courses
• Vacation Leave Buy-Back program – Subject to approval, every year eligible employees may exchange previously earned and accrued vacation time in return for cash compensation (at employee’s daily rate of pay at time of exchange)
• Access to Plum Benefits – savings on movie tickets, theme parks, hotels, tours, Broadway shows and more!
• Optical reimbursement program – Employees are eligible for optical, hearing aid, and podiatric expenses not otherwise covered by insurance, with a maximum aggregate amount of $650 per year, per family. Unused yearly balances may be carried over to the next year for a maximum of $1300 

About New York State Homes and Community Renewal:
Under the leadership of Governor Kathy Hochul and Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas, HCR is a vibrant, innovative agency that integrates and leverages New York State’s housing resources. We have offices in New York City, Albany, Buffalo and Syracuse, and employ a diverse workforce of professionals who are hard-working and committed to serving low and moderate income families. Our mission is far reaching, encompassing single and multifamily housing finance, home improvement, rent regulation, housing subsidies, and community development. We partner regularly with a variety of public and private stakeholders. 

Achieving this mission requires a wide range of skills and backgrounds in public policy, administration, real estate, construction. finance, law, and many other areas of expertise. We seek to provide a workplace environment that is productive, flexible, accountable, ethical, and caring. Our employees are empowered to make a difference where they live and work. We offer competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package, including paid leave, health, dental, vision, retirement, and family-friendly policies.