BLU Agency Attorney

NYC Administration for Children's Services; New York (NY); On-site; USD 89,000 - 104,000; Full time

Job summary

The NYC Administration for Children's Services is seeking a BLU Agency Attorney to provide legal counsel and contract negotiation services. The role involves drafting and reviewing contracts, advising on legal matters related to procurement, and liaising with the NYC Law Department. Candidates must be admitted to the New York State Bar and have relevant legal experience.

Benefits

Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility

Qualifications

• One year of satisfactory legal experience after admission to the bar.
• Experience drafting and negotiating transactional contracts is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts for ACS.
• Provide legal counsel on business and procurement law matters.
• Serve as liaison to the NYC Law Department.

Skills

Legal research

Contract negotiation

Communication

Writing skills

Education

Admission to the New York State Bar

Job description

Join to apply for the BLU Agency Attorney role at NYC Administration for Children's Services

THE SELECTED CANDIDATE WILL BE OFFERED A SALARY BETWEEN $89,613 - $103,055.

The Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) protects and promotes the safety and well-being of children and families through child welfare and juvenile justice services and community supports. ACS manages community-based supports and foster care services, and provides subsidized child care vouchers. ACS child protection staff respond to allegations of child maltreatment. In juvenile justice, ACS oversees detention, placement, and programs for youth in the community.

The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) provides legal representation and advice to the Commissioner and all divisions at ACS. OGC identifies areas of legal vulnerability and coordinates with other Divisions to ensure compliance with court orders, consent decrees, and other legal and regulatory mandates. OGC also works closely with the NYC Law Department to minimize risk and avoid litigation and defend ACS in class action and individual lawsuits. OGC is comprised of six legal units and two non-legal units.

ACS spends nearly $2 billion of its overall annual budget of $2.7 billion on services and goods obtained through third parties to operate as an agency and implement its services. Purchases are numerous and range in kind from foster care services to hardware and software. Given the size and scope of these purchases, the Business Law Unit (“BLU”), within the Office of the General Counsel, serves a role similar to in-house counsel at large private and non-profit entities. BLU is responsible for drafting, reviewing, revising, and interpreting contracts and solicitations, which include, but are not limited to, contracts, memoranda of understanding, licenses, cooperative agreements between ACS and other City agencies, leases, requests for proposals, and various technology-related agreements.

BLU provides legal counsel regarding numerous legal issues that arise when ACS procures goods and services such as confidentiality, intellectual property, insurance, business corporation, municipality outsourcing, and indemnity obligations. BLU also serves as a liaison to the NYC Law Department in the contract approval process and commercial and real estate disputes. BLU duties extend beyond the initial contract process to include providing guidance on corrective action plans, vendor protest responses, and legal questions arising out of signed agreements.

BLU also reviews leases in connection with landlord-tenant disputes and assists the NYC Law Department in preparing for litigation related to commercial agreements and landlord disputes.

Duties

Under direction and supervision, with wide latitude for independent judgment but with reviewed action and decision making, the Agency Attorney III will provide legal counsel, contract drafting, and negotiating services to ACS. Specific duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Draft, review, revise, interpret, and negotiate contracts for the purchase of goods and services entered into by ACS including, but not limited to, renewals, extensions, and modification agreements and other agreements between ACS and other parties such as memoranda of understanding with other City agencies, licenses, leases, and cooperative agreements.
• Draft, review, and interpret non-disclosure agreements, photograph/video releases and consents, corrective action plans, legal opinions, vendor protest responses, licenses, and occupancy agreements.
• Provide legal counsel to ACS program and administrative divisions on business, contract, and procurement law matters.
• Provide legal counsel regarding financial services issues, debt collection, and payments and budget issues.
• Interpret commercial leases and provide legal support and guidance for facility-related projects.
• Serve as liaison to the NYC Law Department in connection with contract and commercial law as well as real estate issues and litigation matters.
• Investigate and prepare reports relating to illegal but equitable claims filed with the Comptroller’s Office.
• Analyze and identify complicated legal problems and issues by conducting legal research and reviewing applicable laws and regulations.

Additional Info

Section 424-A of the New York Social Services Law requires an authorized agency to inquire whether a candidate for employment with child-caring responsibilities has been the subject of a child abuse and maltreatment report.

To Apply

Please go to www.cityjobs.nyc.gov or www.nyc.gov/ess for current NYC employees and search for Job ID # 700628.

No phone calls, faxes or personal inquiries permitted.

Note: Only candidates under consideration will be contacted.

AGENCY ATTORNEY - 30087

Minimum Qualifications

• Admission to the New York State Bar; and either "2" or "3" below.
• One year of satisfactory United States legal experience subsequent to admission to any state bar; or
• Six months of satisfactory service as an Agency Attorney Intern (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

• Experience drafting and negotiating transactional contracts is strongly preferred.
• Ability to handle complex assignments and produce high-quality work quickly is also strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of ACS or NYC contract requirements and procurement rules.
• Experience preparing contracts for a New York State child welfare agency.
• Excellent research and writing skills.
• Excellent communication skills.

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 free from discrimination and harassment based on any legally protected status or characteristic, including but not limited to sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.