EXEC AGENCY COUNSEL M3

The Adult Protective Services Litigation and Program Counseling Unit (APS LPCU) provides legal counsel, legislative and regulatory guidance, and legal representation and litigation support for the Agency in all litigation involving HRA 's Adult Protective Services (APS). APS makes referrals to APS LPCU for legal review of proceedings for stays of eviction and appointments of guardians ad litem in the Civil Court, or petitions for Mental Hygiene Law (MHL) Article 81 guardianships or for Orders to Gain Access in the Supreme Court. The Units attorneys review such referrals for legal sufficiency and, where the legal standard is met, draft pleadings and appear in such proceedings in the appropriate court.

The Office of the General Counsel/Office of Legal Affairs is recruiting to fill one Executive Agency Counsel M3 position, to function as a Deputy General Counsel in the APS LPCU. Under the guidance and direction of the Senior Deputy General Counsel, Service Programs Division, the APS LPCU Deputy General Counsel leads the supervision of attorney staff engaged in important legal activities and/or engaged in difficult and complex legal work having significant financial, procedural or policy consequences for APS.

The Executive Agency Counsel M3 will:

- Counsel the Executive Deputy Commissioner for Adult Protective Services and senior staff on legal components in the development of new initiatives and programs and provide timely and strategic legal guidance to APS. Drafts timely, precise and consistent opinions in response to requests from senior APS staff for legal guidance and analysis on issues pertaining to program operations and the impact of proposed amendments to federal and state law and regulations. Works with senior staff from other programs that relate to APS.

- Direct the initiation of the Agencys judicial actions to protect alleged incapacitated persons, including guardianship petitions under Article 81 of the Mental Hygiene Law, Orders to Gain Access, and appearances in Housing Court. At times, the Deputy General Counsel will be called upon to represent the Commissioner and Agency in court and at conferences and meetings with the court and other government agencies.

- Identify, recruit and fill critical supervisor and attorney vacancies. Prepare budget submissions and plan creatively with an ability to adapt to the ever changing legal and monetary demands made upon HRA. Ensure that the supervisory staff adequately monitor and supervise staff time and leave, and adherence to agency code of conduct through discipline and evaluations.

- Ensure that supervising attorneys provide legal guidance and support to litigation attorneys involved in guardianship actions, proceedings to obtain guardians ad litem, orders to gain access, class actions, CPLR Article 78 proceedings, and fair hearings, by providing leadership and resources.

- Ensure that all staff members in the APS LPCU are properly trained and provides all staff members with both informal and formal training and the opportunity to attend professional seminars.

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.

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.