Agency Attorney II

New-York-City-Department-of-Sanitation; New York (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The New York City Department of Sanitation seeks an Agency Attorney to advise on procurements, review contracts, and handle bid protests. The role focuses on drafting, negotiating, and overseeing complex contracts for DSNY operations.

You will coordinate with the City Law Department and various bureaus, provide legal opinions, and assist with litigation and administrative matters under civil service guidelines.

Qualifications

• Admitted to the New York State Bar.
• One year of satisfactory United States legal experience after admission to any state bar; or six months of service as Agency Attorney Interne.

Responsibilities

• Drafting, reviewing, and advising on procurements (RFPs and bids) including construction contracts and IT service contracts.
• Analyzing and preparing legal opinions on contract and procurement issues.
• Serving as a liaison with the City Law Department and other oversight offices.
• Drafting responsiveness and responsibility memoranda and appeals regarding Department contractors.
• Advising bureaus on contract interpretation, disputes, and claims; assisting with litigation management.
• Handling other Bureau work including administrative or employment matters.

Skills

Legal drafting

Contract law

Legal research

Communication

Interagency liaison

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) Contracts Division advises Department staff on procurement issues relating to the provision of services and purchase of equipment, as well as construction contracts relating to DSNY’s facilities. Contract attorneys prepare and negotiate contract documents, as well as review and revise contracts, solicitations, and correspondence prepared by operating bureau contracting staff and the Agency’s Chief Contracting Office (“ACCO”). BLA contract attorneys also provide legal assistance to the ACCO and DSNY’s various bureaus in their dealings with the Mayor’s Office of Contract Services, the City Comptroller, and other oversight entities. BLA contract attorneys also handle all Bid Protests, review Determinations of Non-Responsiveness and Non-Responsibility, and handle all appeals from such findings. Additionally, the BLA Contract Unit manages claims, disputes, and occasional defaults that arise while administering commercial contracts. The duties for the Agency Attorney position include:

The duties for the Agency Attorney position include:

• 1. Drafting, reviewing, and advising on procurements (both RFPs and bids) initiated by the Department, including construction contracts, contracts to handle DSNY collected refuse and recyclables, architecture and engineering design procurements, information technology service contracts, emergency contracts, goods purchases, requirements contracts, contracts relating to the administration of the Department’s Health Care Facility, and contracts concerning the testing and repair of the Department’s petroleum storage tanks and other environmental services;
• 2. Analyzing and preparing legal opinions on contract and procurement issues;
• 3. Serving as a liaison with the City Law Department and other City oversight offices regarding contract approval and contract litigation issues;
• 4. Drafting responsiveness and responsibility memoranda and appeals regarding Department contractors;
• 5. Advising the bureaus regarding contract interpretation, contractor disputes and claims, litigation management, and drafting responses to contractor protests and appeals; and
• 6. Working on other Bureau work as needed, including on administrative or employment matters.

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.

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.