Description:

The NYC Department of Social Services' Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) provides legal guidance, litigation support, and direct representation to the Agency's program areas in state and federal courts and before administrative agencies to ensure the delivery of social services and public benefits consistent with federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

The Office of the General Counsel of Legal Affairs (OLA) is recruiting for one (1) Agency Attorney II to function as an Attorney II reporting to the Special Counsel. The Attorney II will be working closely with the General Counsel, Special Counsel, external agencies and Law Department on housing issues with a focus on CityFHEPS and FHEPS. Under direction of the Special Counsel, with wide latitude for the exercise of independent initiative and decision-making, the Attorney II assists in coordinating the work of the Office of the General Counsel (OGC), advises on policy and legal strategy, and represents the agency in court. The Attorney II works with key partner agencies and external stakeholders.

CityFHEPS is a rental assistance supplement to help individuals and families find and keep housing. It is administered by the Department of Social Services (DSS), which includes both the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) and the Human Resources Administration (HRA). CityFHEPS has replaced the LINC, SEPS, and CITYFEPS rental assistance programs. There is now one program to make it easier for people to get help, easier for landlords to get payments, and easier for DSS to manage cases.

FHEPS is a rent supplement for families with children who receive Cash Assistance and have been evicted or are facing eviction, who lost their housing due to a domestic violence situation, or who have lost their housing because of health or safety issues.

The Office of the General Counsel of Legal Affairs (OLA) is recruiting for one (1) Agency Attorney II who will:

Provide legal assistance to HRA and DHS program areas by researching legal questions or problems, interpreting the intent and legal ramifications of, agreements, laws, rules and regulations related to the delivery of services.
Draft legal documents: pleadings, motions, agreements, contracts or statements in order to obtain court agreements, stipulations or judgments, including but not limited to: objections, rebuttals, and affidavits in order to obtain successful outcomes for Agency litigation. Preparing legal memoranda / advisory opinions as requested.
Represent the Commissioner in judicial proceedings: motions before the courts, trials and/or hearings, petitions, appeals, etc. to pursue or avert further litigation.
Negotiate on behalf of the Agency in order to obtain contracts, settlements or judgments. May conduct legal discovery to obtain evidence and research more sophisticated legal issues by reviewing statutes, case law, regulations and other legal material to formulate legal arguments and strategy in furtherance of the Agency' s position.
May provide guidance to other attorney staff members and support staff, including staff training on policy, practices and new procedures. May also review case files, recommending follow up action, and assuming full responsibility in absence of supervisor.
Perform other related tasks.

Minimum Qualifications:

Admission to the New York State Bar; and either "2" or "3" below.
One year of satisfactory United States legal experience subsequent to admission to any state bar; or
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.

Preferred Skills:
Strong oral and written advocacy skills. - Knowledge of proper courtroom etiquette, family law, estate law and civil procedure. - Ability to articulate the law and advocate on behalf of the agency. - Superior legal research and writing ability and time management discipline. - Prior experience as a supervisor or mentor.