Assistant General Counsel

DEPT OF HEALTH/MENTAL HYGIENE; New York (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's Office of Chief Medical Examiner seeks an Agency Attorney to support legal matters across OCME laboratories, DNA analysis, and related criminal prosecution or defense.

The role requires NYS Bar admission, strong knowledge of forensic science, and the ability to coordinate compliance, FOIL requests, and complex agreements. New York City residency is required within 90 days of appointment.

Qualifications

• Admission to the New York State Bar and legal experience as specified.
• One year of post-bar experience or six months as Agency Attorney Interne.
• Two to three years of comparable legal experience for higher assignment levels.

Responsibilities

• Advise OCME leadership on legal issues related to laboratories.
• Oversee litigation discovery responses for OCME laboratories.
• Assist with subpoenas, FOIA requests, and compliance with court orders.
• Draft, review, and edit Non-Disclosure Agreements, Data Sharing Agreements, and contract specifications for OCME laboratories.

Skills

DNA analysis

Laboratory procedures

Confidentiality of DNA profiles

Criminal prosecution/defense

Education

New York State Bar admission

Job description

The Office of Chief Medical Examiner investigates cases of persons who die within New York City from criminal violence, by accident, by suicide, suddenly when in apparent health, when unattended by a physician, in a correctional facility or in any suspicious or unusual manner or where an application is made pursuant to law for a permit to cremate a body of a person.

The core values of CARES guide our work for communities and inform our behavior toward each other and all those we serve.

• Commitment: Dedicated to the mission at all times
• Accountability: Responsible to each other and the community
• Resilience: Adapt in the face of adversity
• Excellence: Achieve and maintain the highest quality
• Service: Innovate to meet evolving needs

Under the direction of the Executive Agency Attorney, with latitude for independent judgment and unreviewed action and decision, the selected candidate will have duties which include, but are not limited to:

• Assist Agency personnel with legal aspects of areas of responsibility and resolve day to day Agency issues.
• Advise the Chief of Laboratories, the General Counsel, and other Executive Staff regarding legal issues concerning the OCME laboratories.
• Assist and supervise highly technical litigation discovery responses for OCME laboratories.
• Assist in compliance with subpoenas and court orders served upon the Agency.
• Assist with the review and processing of Freedom of Information Act requests.
• Assist in the conduct of internal investigations and advise human resources on employment related matters affecting agency workforce.
• Resolve legal issues involving forensic analysis in OCME laboratories, quality assurance, laboratory protocols, and the retention of forensic samples.
• Coordinate Agency response regarding legal compliance of CODIS and LDIS DNA Database.
• Draft, review, and edit Non-Disclosure Agreements, Data Sharing Agreements, and Beta Testing pertaining to OCME laboratories, as well as contract specifications for specialized laboratory services.
• Enhance an agency-wide witness training program for staff, including employees of the labs and forensic pathology.
• Review all research projects, surveillance studies, and human subject research submissions involving the Agency.
• Coordinate as needed with DOHMH Institutional Review Board.
• Review and analyze local, state, and federal law and legislative recommendations and proposals related to forensic science and subject matters which may impact the Agency.
• As needed, assist with resolution of dispute cases where intervention by the Legal Department is necessary.
• Communicate with next of kin, otherwise authorized persons, attorneys, and/or estate administrators, as necessary, in communicating Agency requirements in resolving dispute cases.
• Assist with coordinating Agency actions related to paternity requests, tissue specimen hold requests, and release of tissue specimens.
• As needed, coordinate Agency outreach to the City’s Conflict of Interest Board.
• Assist with Agency actions regarding regulation and management of DNA sample collection consent forms for OCME and non-OCME personnel.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with DNA analysis, scientific laboratory procedures, confidentiality of DNA profiles and information, and criminal prosecution/defense.
• Experience with labor and employment or human resource matters.
• Three to five years of legal experience.

Special Note

Selected candidates will be required to provide a DNA sample by swabbing. This position has been identified as essential. During emergency events, essential positions may require 24-hour availability.

Work Authorization

Authorization to work in the United States is required for this position. Office of Chief Medical Examiner does not provide sponsorship for international employees for visa applications, extensions, or status changes, including STEM/OPT visas. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that they meet all qualifying requirements for this position at the time of application.

***Please note that only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted for this position. FINAL APPOINTMENTS ARE SUBJECCT TO OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT & BUDGET APPROVAL.***

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 required within 90 days of appointment. However, City employees in certain titles who have worked for the City two continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland or Orange County.

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.