Assistant District Attorney - Human Trafficking Unit

The Office of the Bronx District Attorney; New York (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Bronx District Attorney's Office seeks experienced attorneys for the Assistant District Attorney position in the Human Trafficking Unit. This role involves managing complex cases related to sex and labor trafficking, collaborating with multiple agencies, and advocating for victims. Ideal candidates will possess strong investigative skills, substantial experience in similar cases, and a passion for social justice.

Benefits

Loan forgiveness program

Qualifications

• Minimum of three (3) years of relevant experience required.
• Member in good standing of the NY State Bar.
• US Citizenship and New York State Residency are required.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload involving felonies and pre-arrest investigations into trafficking.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team.
• Present appropriate felonies to the Grand Jury.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Investigative skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Education

Juris Doctor degree

Job description

JOB SUMMARY:

The Bronx District Attorney’s Office is seeking a well-qualified staff whose diverse backgrounds reflect an ability to serve the 1.4 million members of the Bronx County community and pursue a safer Bronx through fair justice. The Office’s Human Trafficking Unit (HTU) seeks experienced attorneys (3+ years) to serve as Assistant District Attorneys (ADAs). HTU focuses on rescuing and providing social services and resources to victims of sex trafficking and labor trafficking, as well as investigating, apprehending, and convicting those who promote, profit from, or patronize the commercial sex trade.

ADAs receive training in trauma-informed forensic interview skills for human trafficking victims and survivors. HTU works closely with the NYPD’s Human Trafficking and Special Victims Squads, the FBI/NYPD Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, the Office’s Digital Forensics Lab, crime victims’ advocates and therapists in the Office’s Crime Victims Assistance Bureau, and various governmental and nongovernmental social service providers. Candidates should be passionate about these types of cases and working with this vulnerable population. Preferred candidates will have experience working with intimate partner violence and/or sexual assault cases, leading complex investigations, handling a felony caseload, presenting cases to a Grand Jury, litigating novel issues in motion practice, and leading or assisting in criminal trials.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Specific duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Manage a caseload involving felonies and pre-arrest investigations into sex and labor trafficking, or any other criminal conduct committed in conjunction with and in furtherance of human trafficking, such as drug possession, drug sales, robberies, burglaries, sexual assaults, assaults, harassment, weapons possession, financial crimes, and child pornography.
• Work closely with colleagues and supervisors to investigate, strategize and conference these complex cases
• Present appropriate felonies to the Grand Jury to secure indictments
• Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team of crime victims’ advocates and social service providers to assess survivor’s needs and connect them to appropriate social services
• Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team of investigators, forensic scientists, and law enforcement professionals to enhance investigations and cases
• Assess T-Visa applications and motions to vacate convictions for human trafficking survivors
• Staff on-call shifts. During a shift, there may be a need to go to a precinct, hospital, or Child Advocacy Center, or other location to meet with a victim, witness, or suspect
• Attend taskforce meetings, professional training, community outreach and educational programming, and other meetings as directed.
• Participate in occasional law enforcement operations outside of standard work hours.
• Staff courtrooms and make appropriate oral records on own and others’ cases
• Handle a high-volume of cases efficiently and effectively
• Collaborate with non-legal staff with discovery obligations
• Respond clearly and effectively (oral/written) to complex and novel legal issues
• Implement Office policies as directed
• Perform all other duties and projects as designated

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Juris Doctor degree required.
• Minimum of three (3) years of relevant experience required.
• US Citizenship and New York State Residency are required as of the first day of employment.
• Member in good standing of the NY State Bar. You must provide an original current certificate of good standing.
• Ability to both interact with and be comfortable with a diverse population.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills
• Ability to handle a high volume of cases and investigations.
• Ability to conduct competent, resourceful investigations.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and strong ethics.
• Ability to analytically solve issues or problems from inception through conclusion.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of information.
• Ability to excel in a fast-paced work environment.
• Exceptional organizational skills and strong attention to detail
• Ability to be on-call during nights, holidays, and weekends
• Prior experience in forensic interviewing preferred but on-the-job training can be arranged
• Knowledge of the neighborhoods, resources, and population of Bronx County preferred.

To Apply

We appreciate your interest in a position with the Bronx District Attorney's Office. To apply, click apply below or cut and paste the following link into the browser: https://us.smrtr.io/WjnF or go to https://cityjobs.nyc.gov/ à Locate the "Search open jobs" field à Enter the Job ID 598615.

Please upload a cover letter, resume, and names and telephone numbers of 3 professional references to your application.

Upon your completion of the city application through Smartrecruiter, we will review your application and contact you if you are selected for an interview. If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to contact Recruitment at 718-590-2258 or via email at [e-mail].

**LOAN FORGIVENESS: The federal government provides student loan forgiveness through its Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PLF) to all qualifying public service employees. Working with Bronx District Attorney’s Office qualifies you as a public service employee and you may be able to take advantage of this program while working full-time and meeting the program's other requirements. Please visit the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program site to view the eligibility requirements: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service.

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.