Associate General Counsel

DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS SERV.; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Small Business Services (SBS) seeks an Associate General Counsel to provide legal counsel and support across SBS programs, divisions, and affiliated nonprofits. You will handle complex matters, advise on regulatory compliance, and assist in procurement and governance matters to advance SBS missions.

Under supervision of the Deputy General Counsel and General Counsel, you will contribute to policy development, compliance, FOIL requests, and related legal operations essential to

Qualifications

• Admission to the New York State Bar.
• One year of satisfactory United States legal experience after admission or six months as Agency Attorney Interne (30086). Incumbents must remain Members of the New York State Bar in good standing.
• To be assigned to Assignment Level II/III, specific years of experience in related law areas are required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Agency Records Access Officer and Agency Privacy Officer.
• Assist the agency’s HR department on matters of employee discipline and labor relations.
• Conduct research of Federal, State and City laws, rules, regulations and programs and provide interpretations to ensure compliance.
• Review, draft and negotiate procurement solicitations, contracts and agreements with outside vendors and entities.
• Review and draft rules, legislation and policies related to workforce development, small business services, and economic development programs.
• Assist with M/WBE appeals and decisions; draft opinions and present facts and decisions.
• Assist Deputy General Counsel and General Counsel with FOIL requests, conflicts of interest, regulatory/permit matters, employment, EEO and related issues.

Skills

Legal research

Written communication

Clear communication

Education

J.D. degree or equivalent

Job description

Agency Description: The Department of Small Business Services (SBS) helps unlock economic potential and create economic security for all New Yorkers by connecting New Yorkers to good jobs, creating stronger businesses, and building a fairer economy in neighborhoods across the five boroughs.

Division Description: The Office of Legal Counsel provides legal support to all SBS programs, initiatives and divisions. Under the supervision of the General Counsel, and the Deputy General Counsel, the Office of Legal Counsel ensures that SBS programs are operating efficiently and comply with all applicable Federal, State, and City laws, rules and regulations.

Job Description: Under the supervision of the Deputy General Counsel and the General Counsel, with latitude for independent judgement and unreviewed action and decision, the Associate General Counsel is expected to provide legal counsel, advice, and support SBS programs, divisions, and affiliated nonprofit organizations on a broad range of complex legal, regulatory, employment, contractual, and operational matters. The specific responsibilities of the Associate General Counsel include:

• Serve as the Agency Records Access Officer and Agency Privacy Officer;
• Assist the agency’s HR department on matters of employee discipline and labor relations.
• Participate in meetings with staff and conduct research of Federal, State and City laws, rules, regulations and programs and provide recommendations and interpretations of law to ensure agency and its affiliated non‑profits comply with applicable laws, rules and regulations;
• Review, draft and negotiate various procurement solicitations, contracts and agreements on behalf of agency and its affiliated non‑profits with outside vendors and entities, including contracts and agreements with Business Improvement Districts and federal funding requirements for City Law Department review and approval and communicate contract review process/procedures to SBS program divisions;
• Review and draft rules, legislation and policies relating to workforce development initiatives, small business services, M/WBE and neighborhood development programs, waterfront regulation and general economic development and other SBS programs;
• Assist division staff with the M/WBE appeals and decision process; draft opinions, present facts and decisions to Deputies, General Counsel and M/WBE program staff; and
• Assist the Deputy General Counsel and General Counsel with other assignments and projects as needed, including Freedom of Information Law requests, Conflicts of Interest matters, regulatory/permit matters, employment, EEO and disciplinary issues, administrative hearings, litigation support, nonprofit governance, audits and other legal, administrative and programmatic matters that may arise.

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

• Demonstrated excellent research, analytical and writing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively.
• Demonstrated experience/familiarity with City employment/EEO/disciplinary matters, procurement and contracting, economic or community development programs, federal, New York state or local government regulations, municipal law or a related field.

55a Program

NOTE: This position is open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate in your cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position under the 55-a

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.