Director

FIRE DEPARTMENT; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) seeks a full-time Director of the Bureau of Investigations and Trials (BIT) in the Bureau of Legal Affairs. The role supervises attorneys and investigators, oversees disciplinary cases from investigation to final decision, and directs litigation before OATH while aligning actions with departmental values.

The successful candidate will manage and mentor staff, provide liaison to managers and unions, and ensure effective advocacy with adherence to

Qualifications

• Admission to the New York State Bar; four years of recent full-time relevant legal experience after admission.
• Eighteen months of that experience must be in supervising other attorneys in an administrative, managerial or executive capacity.

Responsibilities

• Oversee resolution of disciplinary cases from investigation to final decision.
• Direct staff attorneys in case preparation and litigation before OATH.
• Handle investigations, hearings and trials for high-profile cases; ensure data analysis and productivity metrics.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Criminal law

Disciplinary cases

Job description

The Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) is the largest Fire Department in the United States and universally is recognized as the world's busiest and most highly skilled emergency response agency. The Department's main goal is to provide fire protection, emergency medical care, and other critical public safety services to residents and visitors in the five boroughs. FDNY members are sworn to serve and protect life and property and the Department works to continually educate the public in fire, life safety and disaster preparedness, along with enforcing public safety codes. Since its inception in 1865, FDNY has helped lead efforts to make New York the safest big city in the nation. This accomplishment requires a steadfast and daily commitment to maintaining the Department's core values.
The Fire Department, City of New York (FDNY), seeks a full-time Director of the Bureau of Investigations and Trials (BIT) in the Bureau of Legal Affairs. Reporting directly to the Assistant Commissioner for Investigations and Trials, the successful candidate will: be a first line supervisor responsible for: overseeing the resolution of disciplinary cases from investigation to final decision, ensuring outcomes that promote deterrence, fairness, and accountability within the organization; using professional judgment to evaluate each case, determining whether to settle, proceed with a series of hearings, or expand to a full trial before the NYC Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH); managing and directing staff attorneys in case preparation and litigation before OATH, ensuring effective advocacy, presentation of compelling evidence, and adherence to legal and contractual standards; personally handling investigations, hearings, and trials for high-profile or significant cases; ensuring appropriate case management systems, data analysis, and tracking tools to improve productivity, and performance measurement; leading attorneys, investigators, and staff; serving as a liaison and advisor to managers and supervisors on disciplinary matters, aligning BIT actions with operational objectives and departmental values; representing FDNY with key stakeholders and partners, including union representatives, the NYC Department of Investigation, Law Department, Office of Labor Relations, OATH, and other relevant agencies involved in administrative, investigative, and prosecutorial processes.
EXECUTIVE AGENCY COUNSEL - 95005

Minimum Qualifications

Admission to the New York State Bar; and four years of recent full‑time responsible, relevant, satisfactory legal experience subsequent to admission to any bar, eighteen months of which must have been in the supervision of other attorneys, in an administrative, managerial or executive capacity, or performing highly complex and significant legal work.
Incumbents must remain Members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of this employment.

Preferred Skills

Eight or more years experience practicing law. Experience in criminal law and/or handling disciplinary cases.

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.