Senior Investigative Attorney

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA); New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is seeking a lead investigator in the Office of the Inspector General to plan, conduct, and report on confidential inquiries, providing legal direction to a team.

The role conducts interviews, performs legal research, drafts memoranda and subpoenas, and collaborates with executive staff and external agencies. Hybrid teleworking may be approved; NY bar required with six years of experience.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school.

Responsibilities

• Serves as the team lead, responsible for the planning, conducting, and reporting on confidential investigative inquiries, providing legal and investigative direction to team members.
• Identifies issues and avenues of investigative inquiry and develops a plan to assess their significance.
• Conducts interviews of agency and other personnel and prepares clear and concise interview memoranda.
• Develops and maintains professional working relationships and continually gains knowledge of evolving MTA agency operations.
• Conducts applicable legal research and analyzes documents related to confidential inquiries and investigations.
• Provides legal and investigative advice and support to the investigative and audit team members on confidential inquiries and investigations.
• Drafts comprehensive case memoranda, case summaries, subpoenas and other legal documents.
• Develop appropriate recommendations to improve agency operations, cost-efficiency, safety and assist the Audit Division with audits of MTA operations and processes.
• Prepares professionally written reports and referral letters on the investigative inquiry.
• Provides accurate and precise case progress reports on the status of the inquiry and avenues of investigation being pursued to the EDIG/Legal and other members of the Executive Staff, including the Inspector General.
• Represents the OIG at meetings with MTA officials, MTA subsidiary agencies and contractors, as well as with external local, state and federal agencies, including prosecutors’ offices.
• Assists in preparing MTA/OIG staff to testify at disciplinary hearings, arbitrations and court proceedings.
• Travel within the MTA geographic jurisdiction may be required.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Legal research

Interviewing

Team collaboration

Data interpretation

Time management

Multitasking

Tech proficiency

MS Office 365

Independent work

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Bachelor’s Degree

Bar admission NYS

Tools

MS Office 365

eDiscovery platforms

Case management software

Job description

• Serves as the team lead, responsible for the planning, conducting, and reporting on confidential investigative inquiries, providing legal and investigative direction to team members.
• Identifies issues and avenues of investigative inquiry and develops a plan to assess their significance.
• Conducts interviews of agency and other personnel and prepares clear and concise interview memoranda.
• Develops and maintains professional working relationships and continually gains knowledge of evolving MTA agency operations.
• Conducts applicable legal research and analyzes documents related to confidential inquiries and investigations.
• Provides legal and investigative advice and support to the investigative and audit team members on confidential inquiries and investigations.
• Drafts comprehensive case memoranda, case summaries, subpoenas and other legal documents.
• Develop appropriate recommendations to improve agency operations, cost-efficiency, safety and assist the Audit Division with audits of MTA operations and processes.
• Prepares professionally written reports and referral letters on the investigative inquiry.
• Provides accurate and precise case progress reports on the status of the inquiry and avenues of investigation being pursued to the EDIG/Legal and other members of the Executive Staff, including the Inspector General.
• Represents the OIG at meetings with MTA officials, MTA subsidiary agencies and contractors, as well as with external local, state and federal agencies, including prosecutors’ offices.
• Assists in preparing MTA/OIG staff to testify at disciplinary hearings, arbitrations and court proceedings.
• Travel within the MTA geographic jurisdiction may be required.

Duties Description

• Serves as the team lead, responsible for the planning, conducting, and reporting on confidential investigative inquiries, providing legal and investigative direction to team members.
• Identifies issues and avenues of investigative inquiry and develops a plan to assess their significance.
• Conducts interviews of agency and other personnel and prepares clear and concise interview memoranda.
• Develops and maintains professional working relationships and continually gains knowledge of evolving MTA agency operations.
• Conducts applicable legal research and analyzes documents related to confidential inquiries and investigations.
• Provides legal and investigative advice and support to the investigative and audit team members on confidential inquiries and investigations.
• Drafts comprehensive case memoranda, case summaries, subpoenas and other legal documents.
• Develop appropriate recommendations to improve agency operations, cost-efficiency, safety and assist the Audit Division with audits of MTA operations and processes.
• Prepares professionally written reports and referral letters on the investigative inquiry.
• Provides accurate and precise case progress reports on the status of the inquiry and avenues of investigation being pursued to the EDIG/Legal and other members of the Executive Staff, including the Inspector General.
• Represents the OIG at meetings with MTA officials, MTA subsidiary agencies and contractors, as well as with external local, state and federal agencies, including prosecutors’ offices.
• Assists in preparing MTA/OIG staff to testify at disciplinary hearings, arbitrations and court proceedings.
• Travel within the MTA geographic jurisdiction may be required.

Minimum Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited educational institution and a Juris Doctor from an accredited law school.
• Admission to the New York State Bar.
• Minimum of six years of legal experience, including substantial experience in conducting complex civil or criminal investigations or reviews, including legal research, interviews, pre-trial motion practice, litigation of trials and hearings, legal research, and brief writing.
• Familiarity with reviewing and interpreting high volumes of complex data, including, but not limited to, bank and financial records, cell phone records, time & attendance records.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, inter-personal and oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to articulate the critical issues in a case accurately and precisely both orally and in writing.
• Demonstrated good judgment in assessing legal and investigative issues.
• Excellent writing skills for documenting interviews, summarizing evaluation findings, and drafting reports.
• Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work as a member of an investigative team, fostering a supportive, respectful and collaborative environment with professional, investigative and support staff.
• Technical proficiency including knowledge of and experience with Microsoft Office 365 suite and modules, eDiscovery platforms and case management software.
• Ability to handle multiple projects while maintaining careful attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to interact effectively with department and agency staff, senior management and executive staff within the MTA/OIG and external offices and agencies.
• Subject to the approval of the EDIG/Legal, this position is eligible for hybrid teleworking.
• A two (2) year commitment upon being hired is a condition of employment.