Assistant Counsel

Job Title

Minimum Qualifications Candidates must have been admitted to the New York State Bar and must have had four years of experience in the practice of law subsequent to admission to the Bar.

Admission to the New York State Bar and current registration to practice law in New York State is required for continued employment.

Preferred Qualifications:

Working knowledge of education law, confidentiality laws such as the Heath Information Portability and Accountability Act and the Personal Privacy Law, juvenile justice topics, and employee health and safety related topics.

Strong analytical, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

Duties Description

Oversight of implementation of legislation, regulations, agency policy, and court decisions or settlements affecting the Division of Juvenile Justice and Opportunities for Youth (DJJOY) and the Division of Youth Development and Partnerships for Success (YDAPS);

• Developing and maintaining mastery in complex areas of emerging law relating to juvenile justice and youth development;
• Drafting and reviewing proposed federal and state legislation;
• Drafting and reviewing agency policies and regulations;
• Negotiating and drafting contracts on various subjects including services and property matters;
• Drafting and reviewing memoranda of understanding with other state agencies;
• Researching legal issues, developing legal opinions, and providing expert written and oral legal advice on complex and novel issues of law to agency counsel, DJJOY, YDAPS, and executive staff;
• Advising agency counsel, DJJOY, YDAPS, and executive staff on issues affecting youth in state custody, including legal issues relating to medical and mental health, education, and vocational and job training programs;
• Identifying potential legal issues and their impact on the agency and presenting viable solutions;
• Collaborating with agency program areas to effectively resolve problems in accord with agency goals;
• Interacting positively and productively with program staff and supervisors, as well as other agency representatives and the public;
• Collaborating with other agencies with overlapping programmatic responsibilities on questions of law and procedure;
• Responding to subpoenas and records requests;
• Assisting the Attorney General's Office with defending litigation against the state and OCFS;
• Drafting and reviewing briefs, legal papers, and memoranda of law;
• Representing OCFS in court proceedings or administrative hearings as necessary;
• Supervising bureau senior attorneys, assistant counsel, and support staff and overseeing the bureau's work in addition to managing the candidate's own responsibilities;
• Utilizing effective leadership skills to balance staff development and productivity while keeping agency counsel apprised of emergent issues;
• Training and developing subordinate staff.

Additional Comments The incumbent is responsible for supervising the legal bureau that provides legal assistance and support to OCFS' Division of Juvenile Justice and Opportunities for Youth (DJJOY) and Division of Youth Development and Partnerships for Success (YDAPS), including supervision of Senior Attorneys, Assistant Counsel, and support staff. The position requires significant interaction with interagency, intergovernmental, and community partners in the operation and oversight of New York State's juvenile justice system, including State-operated juvenile facilities, juvenile detention facilities, and implementation of Raise the Age, as well as programs serving older youth and young adults who are involved with or at risk of being involved with the child welfare and youth justice systems.