SPU Agency Attorney

The Administration for Childrens Services (ACS) protects and promotes the safety and well-being of New York Citys children and families by providing child welfare, juvenile justice, and early care services. In child welfare, ACS contracts with private nonprofit organizations to support and stabilize families at risk of a crisis through preventive services and provides foster care services for children not able to safely remain at home. Each year, the agencys Division of Child Protection responds to more than 50,000 reports of suspected child abuse or neglect. In juvenile justice, ACS manages and funds services including detention and placement, intensive community-based alternatives for youth, and support services for families. ACS is also a key part of NYCs early childhood and education continuum, providing childcare assistance to thousands of child welfare involved and low-income children so they can access safe, affordable, quality care.

The Special Projects Unit provides legal advice to the ACS Commissioner, General Counsel, and other ACS staff on both policy and program issues for current programs and new initiatives, including Close to Home Non-Secure Placement (NSP) and Limited Secure Placement (LSP), Detention, the NYS Justice Center, and Raise the Age. The unit also acts as liaison with the Law Department regarding employees; requests for representation, land use questions, and for updates on litigation brought on behalf of ACS. Under general supervision with latitude for independent and un-reviewed action and decision, this Staff Attorney candidate will perform sophisticated legal work in the Special Projects Unit (SPU) within the Administration for Childrens Services (ACS) Office of the General Counsel.

Specific duties will include but are not limited to:
- Draft legal documents, including pleadings, motions, statements and affidavits, using generally acceptable legal procedures, forms, techniques, in order to meet agency needs, goals, objectives.
- Interpret laws and regulations governing the provision of child welfare and early care and education in New York City.
- Provide legal advice and technical assistance to agency programs/departments by reviewing legal issues and documents, in order to assist management in resolving more complex legal questions.
- Act as a liaison with subject matter specialists, technical experts, counsel for litigants, by obtaining and conveying information, providing feedback, in order to facilitate cooperation and maintaining legal data on new initiatives being worked on.
- Act as liaison with New York City Law Department and outside counsel in defending lawsuits and numerous other significant litigation challenging ACS systemic practices.


ADDITIONAL INFO
THE SELECTED CANDIDATE WILL BE OFFERED A SALARY BETWEEN $71,423 - $82,137.

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
APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY USING ONE OF THE OPTIONS BELOW:

For current city employees, go to Employee Self Service (ESS), Recruiting Activities, Careers and search for Job ID# 604619.
For all other applicants go to www.nyc.gov/careers and search for Job ID# 604619. Click on the "Apply" button.

If you do not have access to a computer, most public libraries have computers available for use.

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted

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.

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.