Records Access Counsel

Office-of-the-Comptroller; New York (NY); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The New York City Comptroller’s Office seeks an Agency Attorney Interne/Attorney specializing in FOIL. This role sits in the Office of General Counsel and advises on FOIL, open records, and related legal matters for the City’s agencies.

Responsibilities include gathering records, reviewing FOIL requests, performing legal research, and advising senior stakeholders on record collection and processing systems. NYS Bar admission is required to qualify for this civil service position.

Qualifications

• Admitted to the New York State Bar; and either one year of U.S. legal experience after admission or six months as Agency Attorney Interne.
• Incumbents must remain Members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of this employment.
• To be assigned to Assignment Level II, candidates must have one year of experience at Assignment Level I or two years of comparable legal experience after admission to the bar, in the areas of law related to the assignment.
• To be assigned to Assignment Level III, candidates must have two years of experience at Assignment Levels I and/or II or three years of comparable legal experience after admission to the bar, in the areas of law related to the assignment.

Responsibilities

• Identify custodians and collect records in response to FOIL requests; assess and gather responsive documentation
• Review FOIL requests and responses; accurate redaction of exempt information
• Perform legal research; draft well-reasoned legal guidance related to FOIL issues
• Proactively track and comply with statutory deadlines; maintain FOIL spreadsheet; highlight FOILs of interest for Press
• Prepare regular reports of FOIL request traffic
• Serve as advisor on technical needs of FOIL processes including evaluation of processing systems and advising on potential new technology to maintain best in class FOIL compliance
• Provide guidance and direction to FOIL liaisons for purposes of document collection; serve as principal advisor/analyst to senior level stakeholders on matters involving collection of records
• Perform other related duties as may be required

Skills

FOIL knowledge

FOIA experience

Legal research

Attention to detail

Project management

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Tools

Adobe Acrobat

Microsoft Office

Microsoft Purview

Westlaw

Lexis

Job description

The New York City Comptroller’s Office works to promote the financial health, integrity, and effectiveness of New York City government, in order to strengthen trust, secure a thriving future for all New Yorkers, and build a more just, equitable, and resilient city. Led by an independently elected citywide official, the comptroller’s office provides checks and balances needed to hold City government accountable for budgeting wisely, investing responsibly, operating efficiently, acting fairly, living up to its obligations and promises, and paying attention to the long-term challenges we face together.

The Comptroller’s Office of General Counsel leverages the expertise of its diverse team of attorneys to provide high-quality legal advice, counsel, and support to the Comptroller and the Agency’s various bureaus. OGC facilitates and advances the Office’s strategic objectives in advising on the various legal and operational opportunities and risks, while ensuring compliance with the Agency’s Charter mandate, as well as local, state, and federal laws.

The Agency Attorney/FOIL Records Access Counsel sits in the Comptroller’s Office of General Counsel (OGC) and reports directly to the Deputy General Counsel. OGC advises the Comptroller on all legal matters affecting the office, including issues related to litigation, settlements of claims brought on behalf of and against the City, contract registration, prevailing wage law investigations, public pension funds, agency audits and investigations, and employee discipline. OGC works closely with all divisions and bureaus within the Comptroller’s Office and regularly interacts with many City agencies, including the New York City Law Department.

Responsibilities

• Work across entire Comptroller’s Office to identify custodians and collect records in response to FOIL requests; assess and gather responsive documentation
• Review FOIL requests and responses; accurate redaction of exempt information\
  
• Perform legal research; draft well-reasoned legal guidance related to FOIL issues
• Proactively track and comply with statutory deadlines; maintain FOIL spreadsheet; highlight FOILs of interest for Press
• Prepare regular reports of FOIL request traffic
• Serve as advisor on technical needs of FOIL processes including evaluation of processing systems and advising on potential new technology to maintain best in class FOIL compliance
• Provide guidance and direction to FOIL liaisons for purposes of document collection; serve as principal advisor/analyst to senior level stakeholders on matters involving collection of records
• Perform other related duties as may be required

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.

Preferred Skills

• Understanding of the requirements of FOIL or similar laws (such as FOIA).
• Prior FOIL or FOIA experience with a federal, state or city agency or e-discovery experience.
• Prior experience conducting legal research on Westlaw or Lexis and publicly available legal databases (such as the Committee on Open Government’s advisory opinion database).
• Exceptional attention to detail, organization, time-management, good judgment, and the ability to handle issues and information in a confidential manner.
• Excellent project management, interpersonal, communication, and computer skills.
• A demonstrated ability to proactively and creatively solve problems and handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Experience with Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Office Software (including Outlook, Word, and Excel), and e-discovery software (preferably Microsoft Purview).

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.