Assistant General Counsel - Assisted Outpatient Treatment

The Office of Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) is responsible for the management and oversight of the Assisted Outpatient Treatment Program in New York City. The New York State Legislature passed Kendra’s law as an amendment to the Mental Hygiene Law to allow for outpatient civil commitment of individuals with histories of serious mental illness, difficulty engaging in rehabilitation, and who present high risk to themselves or the community. The program works with the Office of General Counsel (OGC) to enable these individuals to live safely in the community, avoid repeated inpatient hospitalizations, and ensure they have access to comprehensive outpatient services. The OGC team is comprised of attorneys who work in a variety of areas including legal affairs (legal and policy analysis; health code enforcement; records access), contracts, privacy, and employment law. OGC also houses the Institutional Review Board and attorneys working in the Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) program.

Position Summary:

The Assistant General Counsel will function as an integral member of the OGC legal team. Under general direction from the Director of the AOT Legal team, the Assistant General Counsel will serve as an attorney for the AOT program, providing support and may be requested to:

Job Duties and Responsibilities:
- Draft petitions for court-ordered treatment for psychiatric patients and represent the Health Department at the corresponding hearings and jury trials.
- Draft motions and appeals as needed.
- Litigate complex and significant cases at OATH, as needed.
- Conduct legal research and draft written analyses as needed, often on time-sensitive basis.
- Provide legal guidance to the AOT program, as needed, and assist in monitoring the workflow.
- Work with and/or collaborate with outside governmental agencies as needed including, but not limited to, the New York State Office of Mental Health, Mental Hygiene Legal Service and the Office of Court Administration.
- Collaborate with hospitals located in New York City to help them facilitate patient referrals to the AOT Program and assist them in completing AOT petitions.
- Travel to courts, various health department offices and hospitals/clinics within New York City.
- Maintain sensitive and confidential information.
- Manage and distribute information accurately and appropriately.
- Monitor the workflow, ensuring compliance with deadlines, and preparing reports and summaries.
- Establish positive working relationships with co-workers and programs.
- Possess excellent research and writing skills.
- Attend to other ad hoc projects and tasks, as needed or assigned.

Preferred Skills:
- Highly detail-oriented with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects.
- Ability to use online legal research platforms such as Westlaw, CLEAR, and Lexis Nexis.
- Current working knowledge of Health Department procedures, policies and practices is a plus.
- Current experience in or knowledge and interest in mental health and other public health matters is a plus.

Why you should work for us:

- Benefits: City employees are entitled to unmatched benefits such as:
o a premium-free health insurance plan that saves employees over $10K annually, per a 2024 assessment.
o additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position’s associated union/benefit fund.
o a public sector defined benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement.
o a tax-deferred savings program and
o a robust Worksite Wellness Program that offers resources and opportunities to keep you healthy while serving New Yorkers.
- Work From Home Policy: Depending on your position, you may be able to work up to two days during the week from home.
- Job Security - you could enjoy more job security compared to private sector employment and be able to contribute to making NYC a healthy place to live and work.

Established in 1805, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health Department) is the oldest and largest health department in the U.S., dedicated to protecting and improving the health of NYC. Our mission is to safeguard the health of every resident and cultivate a city where everyone, regardless of age, background, or location, can achieve their optimal health. We provide a wide array of programs and services focused on food and nutrition, anti-tobacco support, chronic disease prevention, HIV/AIDS treatment, family and child health, environmental health, mental health, and social justice initiatives. As the primary population health strategist and policy authority for NYC, with a rich history of public health initiatives and scientific advancements, from addressing the 1822 yellow fever outbreak to the COVID-19 pandemic, we serve as a global leader in public health innovation and expertise.

Come join us and help to continue our efforts in making a difference in the lives of all New Yorkers!

The NYC Health Department is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation to all individuals. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact Sye-Eun Ahn, Director of the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, at sahn1@health.nyc.gov or 347-396-6549.

AGENCY ATTORNEY - 30087