Agency Attorney

New-York-City-Department-of-Sanitation; New York (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) seeks an Agency Attorney, Level 1, to perform legal work under supervision, including advising the Executive staff and representing the Department at meetings on enforcement and waste management. Candidates must be admitted to the New York State Bar, with one year of legal experience after admission (or six months as an Agency Attorney Interne).

The position supports DSNY’s local, state, and federal policy initiatives, handles FOIL requests, and

Qualifications

• Admission to the New York State Bar.
• One year of satisfactory United States legal experience after bar admission or six months as Agency Attorney Interne.
• Incumbents must remain Members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of this employment.

Responsibilities

• Research legal issues and prepare opinions for DSNY executive staff.
• Represent the Department at meetings on enforcement and waste management.
• Coordinate and respond to Freedom of Information Law requests.
• Advise on conflicts of interest and work with the Conflict-of-Interest Board.
• Prepare responses to litigation inquiries and information subpoenas.

Skills

Legal writing

Westlaw

Microsoft Office

Public sector / compliance

Employment law knowledge

Tools

Westlaw

Microsoft Office

Excel

Job description

The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY)’s primary mission is to keep New York City healthy, safe, and clean. This is accomplished by collecting, recycling, and disposing of waste, cleaning City streets and vacant lots, and removing snow and ice. DSNY is the nation's largest municipal sanitation agency, with nearly 10,000 employees, 59 district garages, and a fleet of more than 5,000 trucks, passenger vehicles, and other operational types of equipment. The Department clears litter, snow, and ice from approximately 6,500 miles of City streets and removes debris from vacant lots as well as abandoned vehicles from City streets.

The Bureau of Legal Affairs (BLA) works to advance DSNY's policy initiatives at the local, state, and federal levels through strategic planning and coordination with the Mayor's Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. These efforts include drafting local legislation, negotiating such legislation, and amending DSNY' s rules. BLA provides legal counsel to other Divisions and bureaus within DSNY in order to ensure that all local laws and rules are lawfully implemented and enforced, and that all reporting requirements are met. BLA also provides legislative support services to the Law Department.

BLA is seeking an Agency Attorney, Level 1. Under supervision, with some latitude for independent judgment and unreviewed action and decisions, the selected candidate will perform legal work, including the following:

• Working directly with the Department's Executive staff on legal matters including researching legal issues, preparing legal opinions, and recommending courses of action on issues impacting the Department;
• Representing the Department at meetings on issues relating to enforcement of the Department's statutes and rules, and overall solid waste management planning;
• Coordinating and responding to Freedom of Information Law requests;
• Advising on conflicts of interest matters and working with the Conflict-of-Interest Board;
• Advising on legal aspects of enforcement and administration of laws and regulations; and
• Preparing responses to litigation inquiries and information subpoenas.

AGENCY ATTORNEY - 30087

Minimum Qualifications

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.

Preferred Skills

• Ability to interact respectfully with all levels of DSNY and City employees.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of highly sensitive documents and situations.
• Outstanding communication and writing ability.
• Ability to effectively use Westlaw and the Microsoft Office suite, including Excel.
• Knowledge of employment law (e.g. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, NYS Workplace Violence Prevention Law etc.).

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

Residency Requirement

New York City Residency is not required for this position

Additional Information

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.