ASSISTANT GENERAL COUNSEL

Assistant General Counsel

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 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance, Cash Assistance, Emergency Assistance, Medicaid, Child Support, Fair Fares, as well as eviction prevention and rehousing 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. DSS also includes administrative and supportive divisions such as the Office of Legal Affairs which includes the Fair Hearing Administration, among other litigation and counseling units. DSS' Fair Hearing Administration is responsible for providing representation of the Agency at NYS Administrative Hearings in the following program areas for HRA: Cash Assistance (CA), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Investigative Revenue and Enforcement Administration (IREA), HIV Aids Services Administration (HASA), Adult Protective Services (APS), Homecare and the Medical Assistance Program (MAP). The Fair Hearing Administration also represents the Agency in administrative hearings involving the Department of Homeless Services as well as HRA administered shelters for DV survivors. The Intentional Program Violation and District Attorney Referral Unit provides litigation services and legal counsel to the Commissioner, Chief Accountability Officer/Bureau of Fraud Investigation and Accountability, and executive management, as well as counsel to program on matters relating to fraud, in accordance with Federal, State and City laws and regulations. Under the general direction of the Special Counsel, with wide latitude for independent judgment and un-reviewed action or decision-making, the Assistant General Counsel is responsible for all the legal actions brought on behalf of the Commissioner and will serve as the Supervising Attorney for the Office of the General Counsel/Fair Hearing IPVDAR Unit. This involves the direct supervision of a team of attorneys who prosecute or defend against civil legal actions in Court or before administrative bodies or prepare and review legal documents on behalf of the Commissioner.

Minimum Qualifications

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.

Preferred Skills

- Prior District Attorney, criminal court, criminal law education and/or investigative experience - Thorough knowledge of federal, State and municipal criminal law and procedure. - Extensive courtroom and administrative tribunal experience. - Superb legal research and writing skills. - Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail. - Proven time management skills. - Extensive supervisory experience of attorneys. - Outstanding communication skills, disposition, and ability to work well alone, and with others.

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

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.