SENIOR ADVISOR

HRA/DEPT OF SOCIAL SERVICES; New York (NY); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Social Services (DSS) through IDNYC is recruiting for an Agency Attorney III to function as Senior Advisor. This role leads policy and legal matters related to IDNYC, coordinates with DSS offices, and drafts policies, contracts, and guidance material.

The Senior Advisor will represent SPI leadership at meetings, manage risk and compliance guidance, and lead strategic projects to improve access to services offered through SPI’s programs.

Qualifications

• Admission to the New York State Bar.
• One year of satisfactory United States legal experience after admission; or six months as Agency Attorney Intern.
• Incumbents must remain Members of the New York State Bar in good standing.

Responsibilities

• Lead on all policy and legal matters related to the IDNYC program.
• Serve as liaison with DSS Office of Program Accountability and Office of Legal Affairs; assist in review and interpretation of laws; prepare rule proposals.
• Represent SPI leadership at meetings, conferences, and other events.
• Draft, revise, and review legal, policy, and related documents for the IDNYC program (policies, user guides, contracts, MOUs).
• Support and lead special SPI projects and collaborate with DSS teams.

Skills

Advocacy skills

Legal interpretation

Legal research

Policy experience

Time management

Job description

The Department of Social Services (DSS) is comprised of the administrative units of the New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA) and the Department of Homeless Services (DHS). HRA is dedicated to fighting poverty and income inequality by providing New Yorkers in need with essential benefits such as Food Assistance and Emergency Rental Assistance. DHS is committed to preventing and addressing homelessness in New York City by employing a variety of innovative strategies to help families and individuals successfully exit shelter and return to self-sufficiency as quickly as possible.

The Supportive Programs and Initiatives Team at HRA/DSS oversees a number of programs and initiatives that help underserved New Yorkers and others in need to lead successful lives. The programs and initiatives include IDNYC (New York City’s successful municipal ID program), Fair Fares (which enables eligible New Yorkers to receive a discount on subway and bus fares), and HEAP (which assists eligible New Yorkers with heating and cooling costs).

Under general supervision of the Deputy Commissioner for IDNYC, Fair Fares and HEAP, with latitude for independent judgment, the Senior Advisor performs legal, strategy, policy, and project management work on behalf of and in collaboration with the Deputy Commissioner, the Executive Deputy Commissioner for SPI, and the Assistant Deputy Commissioner for IDNYC.

IDNYC is recruiting for one (1) Agency Attorney III, to function as Senior Advisor, who will:

• Serve as the lead on all policy and legal matters related to the IDNYC program. Identify, research, and address legal and policy questions pertaining to all aspects of the program, including new initiatives and workstreams. Stay abreast of and advise on developments in City, state, and federal laws, regulations, and policies that impact IDNYC.
• Serve as the main liaison with the DSS Office of Program Accountability and DSS Office of Legal Affairs to assist in the review and interpretation of existing laws, rules and regulations, and in the preparation of administrative Rule proposals for IDNYC. Represent the program at meetings with the Mayor’s Office, other City Agencies and Community Partners, to ensure appropriate understanding of program rules and regulations. Provide situation-specific guidance to IDNYC staff on topics related to risk management and agency compliance. Draft, revise, and review legal, policy, and related documents related to the IDNYC program including (but not limited to) policies and procedures, user guides, contracts and procurement-related materials, memoranda of understanding, etc.
• Support (and in many cases, leads) a variety of special projects spanning the SPI portfolio of programs, as assigned by (and in collaboration with) the Executive Deputy Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, and Assistant Deputy Commissioner. These may include (but are not limited to): researching policy and program proposals made by HRA/DSS leadership and other stakeholders; review best practices in other jurisdictions; oversee strategic planning efforts for the SPI team; partner with colleagues in DSS’ research and reporting teams to develop data dashboards and other means of tracking program performance; and incubate new initiatives to improve access and/or the breadth of services offered through SPI’s programs.
• Represent SPI leadership at meetings, conferences, and other events. Perform related duties as assigned.

Hours/Shift: Monday - Friday; 9:00am - 5:00pm

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

• Strong oral and written advocacy skills.
• Ability to articulate the law and advocacy on behalf of the Agency.
• Superb legal research and writing skills.
• Experience in interpreting city government policies.
• Proven time management 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 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.