Senior Enforcement Counsel

The NYC Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) protects and enhances the daily economic lives of New Yorkers to create thriving communities. DCA licenses more than 81,000 businesses in more than 50 industries and enforces key consumer protection, licensing, and workplace laws that apply to countless more. By supporting businesses through equitable enforcement and access to resources and, by helping to resolve complaints, DCA protects the marketplace from predatory practices and strives to create a culture of compliance. Through its community outreach and the work of its offices of Financial Empowerment and Labor Policy & Standards, DCA empowers consumers and working families by providing the tools and resources they need to be educated consumers and to achieve financial health and work-life balance. DCA also conducts research and advocates for public policy that furthers its work to support New York City’s communities. For more information about DCA and its work, call 311 or visit DCA at nyc.gov/dca or on its social media sites, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
The Office of Labor Policy and Standards (“the Office,” “OLPS”), which provides workers in New York City a voice in City government, is responsible for enforcing the city’s municipal labor laws such as the Earned Safe and Sick Time Act, the Fair Workweek Laws, and the Commuter Benefits Law, implementing the Freelance Isn’t Free Act, expanding outreach and public education efforts to vulnerable workers, and conducting research and data analysis to recommend efforts to achieve workplace equity for women, communities of color, immigrants, refugees, and other vulnerable workers. The Office’s Division of Paid Care also assists workers submit complaints regarding federal, state, and local labor and employment law violations and helps the Office coordinate with other government agencies, worker advocacy groups, as well as community, labor, and employment organizations.
DCA is seeking an attorney with extensive experience in labor and employment law to work as an agency attorney in OLPS. This position is necessary to implement the agency’s critical initiative of establishing a central resource for workers, providing a dedicated voice in City government for New York City workers, and protecting and promoting labor standards and policies that create fair workplaces to ensure all workers can realize their rights, regardless of immigration status. This position will also fulfill DCA’s legal mandate to promote the implementation and enforcement of laws, rules, and regulations designed to improve working conditions and practices, including the Earned Safe and Sick Time Act, the Fair Workweek Laws, the Commuter Benefits Law, the Grocery Worker Retention Act, and the City’s Living and Prevailing Wage Laws, as required by New York City Charter Section 20-a(b)(v).
The Senior Enforcement Counsel will assist OLPS’ efforts to empower workers by helping implement and enforce municipal labor laws before the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings. The agency attorney will also help OLPS review and draft proposed legislation and analyze legal and policy issues. They will negotiate and draft complex settlement agreements that include civil penalties, monetary restitution for affected employees, and injunctive relief as well as represent OLPS at administrative hearings and in court actions alleging violations of municipal labor laws.
The ideal candidate for this position has:
• an extensive and varied litigation background, including providing legal advice, appearing in court or administrative tribunal proceedings, and negotiating settlement agreements with opposing counsel;
• relevant expertise in local, state, and federal labor laws, including New York City’s Earned Safe and Sick Time Act, Fair Workweek Laws, New York State Labor Law, and the National Labor Relations Act, and the Family Medical Leave Act;
• an understanding into analyzing available data and coordinating with research and policy analysts to identify gaps and prioritize areas for improvement of working conditions and practices for employees and independent contractors within particular industries; and
• significant legal research and writing experience, including drafting court filings and legal correspondence.Minimum Qual Requirements

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

• Experience working in government.
• Litigation, investigation, and outreach experience.
• Skilled negotiator.
• Demonstrated excellent verbal, written, interpersonal, analytical, problem-solving and time management skills.
• Demonstrated excellent legal research and writing skills.
• Comfort with data-driven analysis and strategic planning.
• Ability to communicate in a clear, concise manner both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to establish rapport and interact effectively with multi-functional teams comprised of attorney and non-attorney staff.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities with competing deadlines.
• References that can confirm legal skills.To Apply

To Apply
For Non-City/External Candidates: Visit the External Applicant NYC Careers site and type “Consumer Affairs” on the search line. Then locate the Job ID number.
For Current City Employees: Visit Employee Self Service (ESS) to view and click on Recruiting Activities, Careers, and search by Job ID number.
A RESUME AND COVER LETTER ARE REQUIRED.
PLEASE INDICATE IN YOUR COVER LETTER HOW YOU HEARD ABOUT THIS POSITION.
INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
NO PHONE CALLS, FAXES, E-MAILS OR PERSONAL INQUIRIES PERMITTED. NOTE: ONLY THOSE CANDIDATES UNDER CONSIDERATION WILL BE CONTACTED.
*Appointments are subject to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval.
*55-a Candidates: NYC Department of Consumer Affairs is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and culturally responsive workforce. We strongly encourage 55-A candidates to apply to our positions in order to begiven the opportunity.
**LOAN FORGIVENESS: The federal government provides student loan forgiveness through its Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) to all qualifying public service employees. Working with DCA qualifies you as a public service employee and you may be able to take advantage of this program while working full-time and meeting the program’s other requirements. Please visit the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program site to view the eligibility requirements: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/r... Screening: A drug screening may be required prior to being appointed.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations that enable people with disabilities to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment as are enjoyed by others. If you are contacted to attend an interview for one of our open vacancies and would like to request an accommodation for that date, please send an email to [email protected] Requirement

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.