ATTORNEY I

The Office of the General Counsel provides legal counsel to the Commissioners and Administrators of both the Human Resources Administration (HRA) and the Department of Homeless Services (DHS), and to senior Agency officials. This office provides strategic guidance on legal matters that may have a significant programmatic or fiscal impact upon the Department of Social Services (DSS/HRA/DHS).

The General Counsel is responsible for the administration of the Office of Legal Affairs, the Fair Hearing Administration, the Office of Policy, Procedures and Training and oversees the Office of Contracts and Office of Advocacy. The Office of the General Counsel provides legal advisement, litigation, and contract 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 Office of General Counsel/Office of Legal Affairs is recruiting for one (1) Agency Attorney I to function as Attorney I within the General Counsel’s Office who will:

- Assist the senior and supervising attorneys in the review and 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.

- Draft legal documents and assist in providing legal assistance by researching applicable statutes, case law or other material to resolve legal questions/problems, interpret the intent and legal ramifications of laws, rules/regulations related to the delivery of social services.

- Draft legal opinions in response to requests for legal guidance, interpret laws and regulations, and analyze the impact of proposed amendments to federal, state and local laws and regulations. Under supervision, drafts litigation documents, such as affidavits, motion papers, memoranda of law and answers to pleadings.

- Represent the Agency in Supreme and Civil Courts and in certain administrative hearings. Court matters may include Article 78 proceedings, small claims and other civil actions and responses to subpoenas.

- May assist senior attorneys in liaising with the NYC Law Department to support the Agency’s defense of federal class actions, and other major litigation and appeals.

- Perform other related tasks.


Hours/Schedule: 9am – 5pm

AGENCY ATTORNEY - 30087