Legal Counsel

Job Description

THE SELECTED CANDIDATE WILL BE OFFERED A SALARY BETWEEN $92,525.00 - $106,404.00.

The Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) protects and promotes the safety and well-being of children and families through child welfare and juvenile justice services and community supports. ACS manages community‑based supports and foster care services, and provides subsidized child care vouchers. ACS child protection staff respond to allegations of child maltreatment. In juvenile justice, ACS oversees detention, placement and programs for youth in the community.

The Division of Youth and Family Justice (DYFJ) provides a wide range of services and programs for youth at every stage of the juvenile justice process. Our goals are to (a) build stronger and safer communities and advance public safety by preventing juveniles from entering the New York City’s juvenile justice system, (b) provide therapeutic treatment and services to youth in our custodial care, and (c) help juveniles access the tools they need to leave the justice system for good. We strive to help families and young people by providing supportive services that are responsive to the needs of individual youth and families.

The Policy, Legal and Compliance Unit was created in October 2020 to codify these important functions into a single program unit and increase the level of integration between these closely connected areas of practice within DYFJ. Our legal team serves as a liaison to the city courts, law enforcement, legal advocates and our own Office of General Counsel and provides legal‑guidance, division‑wide on issues that arise from the custody of juvenile justice‑involved youth in our care. Our Compliance team was created in response to the increased oversight of our detention facilities and serves as point for all oversight, reporting and compliance activities, including Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) compliance. Our Policy team develops and updates the 100+ policies that guide DYFJ’s practice including those critical for the operation of our detention and placement facilities.

Responsibilities

• Respond to challenging and urgent legal concerns and issues raised by ACS staff and external entities.
• Provide a legal opinion on a broad array of practices, policies, and procedures related to care and custody of juvenile justice‑involved youth, including providing legal guidance on nights/weekends when necessary.
• Act as liaison between DYFJ and Family Court Legal Services (FCLS) to draft and ensure appropriate court documents are filed timely, and appear in Family, Supreme and other NYC courts (if necessary) to represent DYFJ in matters related to custody of detained and/or placed youth.
• Conduct research and provide legal guidance in the development of DYFJ policies and protocols.
• Respond to subpoenas on behalf of the Agency for current and former DYFJ youths’ records and redacting information as required pursuant to relevant confidentiality laws.
• Attend meetings and provide legal technical assistance on matters spanning the spectrum of juvenile justice.
• Represent DYFJ’s interests and work with ACS’ Office of Intergovernmental Affairs in determining the impact and implications of proposed legislation on the divisions’ operations and practices.
• Act as liaison between DYFJ and ACS’ Office of the General Counsel on various matters related to employment issues, confidentiality agreements and records production.
• Liaise with FCLS on various legal issues, including timely remand modifications, aftercare revocations and extensions of placement as necessary.
• Assist executive staff with the development and drafting of key program materials, procedures, documents, plans, and reports.
• Provide other legal guidance to DYFJ staff as necessary.

Qualifications

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.

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.

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.