Assistant General Counsel - Contracts, Office of General Counsel

City of New York; Lincoln (NE); On-site; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking office dedicated to providing legal support within a vital public health department. This role involves reviewing and drafting contracts, ensuring compliance with legal standards, and collaborating with various stakeholders. As part of a historic institution, you will contribute to impactful public health initiatives and help shape policies that affect millions. The position offers unmatched benefits, including loan forgiveness programs, a premium-free health insurance plan, and a robust work-life balance with the potential for remote work. Make a meaningful difference in the lives of New Yorkers while advancing your legal career in a supportive environment.

Benefits

Loan Forgiveness Programs

Premium-free health insurance

Defined benefit pension plan

Tax-deferred savings program

Worksite Wellness Program

Job Security

Work From Home Policy

Qualifications

• Must be admitted to the New York State Bar and have relevant legal experience.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Review, negotiate, and draft contracts for the Department.
• Interact with stakeholders to ensure compliance with contracting processes.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Legal negotiation expertise

Research and analysis

Problem-solving skills

Attention to detail

Ability to work under deadlines

Education

Admission to the New York State Bar

Legal experience in the U.S.

Tools

Westlaw

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

The Office of General Counsel (OGC) provides legal advice and assistance to the entire Department and acts as liaison relative to litigation services which are provided by the NYC Law Department. OGC is divided into three units: the Legal Affairs (including the Chief Privacy Officer, Records Access Officer, and Contracts); the Employment Law Unit and the Institutional Review Board.

The Office of General Counsel (OGC) is seeking an experienced attorney to review, negotiate and draft contracts. Under the supervision of the Director and Deputy Director of the Contracts Unit, the successful candidates will be expected to:

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:

1. Interact regularly with internal stakeholders/clients and external entities, ensuring that all contracting processes are followed, including obtaining and documenting all necessary approvals required in connection with each contract.
2. Work with the ACCO's Office and DOHMH Procurement staff to ensure that all publicly funded contracts follow proper processes, including the Procurement Policy Board Rules and PASSPort, the City's new contract review portal.
3. Facilitate the resolution of business and legal issues; formulating recommendations using analysis and creativity.
4. Assess, develop and negotiate contract terms, including but not limited to insurance, intellectual/real property and privacy for all DOHMH agreements.
5. Ensure consistency of contract terms with DOHMH policies, procedures and goals.
6. Review and negotiate contracts with a focus on risk reduction and protection of confidential information.
7. Review, negotiate and draft Memoranda of Understanding between DOHMH and other Federal, State and Municipal entities.

PREFERRED SKILLS:

1. Excellent communication (verbal & written) and interpersonal skills.
2. Experience drafting contracts for municipalities.
3. Experience with Public Procurement Related Issues.
4. Expertise in complex legal negotiation.
5. Strong research, analysis, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
6. Strong work ethic and attention to detail.
7. Strong analytical skills and ability to manage and report complex information.
8. Preferred experience working with the public health sector and coordinating projects involving multiple stakeholders.
9. Ability to prioritize and work in fast-paced environment with hard deadlines.
10. Experience conducting legal research through Westlaw.
11. Fluency in Westlaw, Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

Why you should work for us:

• Loan Forgiveness: As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal/state loan forgiveness and repayment assistance programs that lessen your payments or even fully forgive your full balance. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website (https://studentaid.gov/pslf/).
• Benefits: City employees are entitled to unmatched benefits such as:
• a premium-free health insurance plan that saves employees over $10K annually, per a 2024 assessment.
• additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position’s associated union/benefit fund.
• a public sector defined benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement.
• a tax-deferred savings program.
• a robust Worksite Wellness Program that offers resources and opportunities to keep you healthy while serving New Yorkers.
• Work From Home Policy: Depending on your position, you may be able to work up to two days during the week from home.
• Job Security - you could enjoy more job security compared to private sector employment and be able to contribute to making NYC a healthy place to live and work.

Established in 1805, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health Department) is the oldest and largest health department in the U.S., dedicated to protecting and improving the health of NYC. Our mission is to safeguard the health of every resident and cultivate a city where everyone, regardless of age, background, or location, can achieve their optimal health. We provide a wide array of programs and services focused on food and nutrition, anti-tobacco support, chronic disease prevention, HIV/AIDS treatment, family and child health, environmental health, mental health, and social justice initiatives. As the primary population health strategist and policy authority for NYC, with a rich history of public health initiatives and scientific advancements, from addressing the 1822 yellow fever outbreak to the COVID-19 pandemic, we serve as a global leader in public health innovation and expertise.

Come join us and help to continue our efforts in making a difference in the lives of all New Yorkers!

The NYC Health Department is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation to all individuals. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact Sye-Eun Ahn, Director of the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, at [e-mail] or 347-396-6549.

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.

Residency Requirement

New York City residency is not required for this title.

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.