Assistant Counsel

New York State Housing Finance Agency•New York, NY

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Attorney / Assistant Counsel works in the Office of Legal Affairs, which provides legal advice, counsel, and representation to agency offices and program areas and ensures compliance with federal and state legal mandates. The role assists with multifamily housing bond issuances, subsidy and participating loan programs, related real estate mortgage financing matters, legislation review, preparation of materials for Agency Members and Directors, Agency administrative matters, and other legal areas as required. It also includes supervising legal support staff engaged in similar duties and providing legal services related to loan management, mortgage enforcement, and architect and construction contracts. The position is based in HCR's New York City office and reports to the HCR/HFA Deputy Counsel who supervises transactional lawyers in that office. A Civil Service exam is not required; candidates must meet the stated minimum qualifications.

Requirements

Must be admitted to the practice of law in New York State.
Should have two years of experience, including experience in corporate, real estate, and/or financing transactions.
Ability to establish effective working relationships with staff, outside attorneys, and consultants.
Ability to work under pressure.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Strong analytical and organizational skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience and/or familiarity with real estate lending, secured transactions, construction lending, and mortgage loan portfolio management.
Litigation experience may be useful.

Responsibilities

Assist with multifamily housing bond issuances, subsidy loan programs, participating loan programs, and related real estate mortgage financing matters.
Review legislation.
Prepare materials for consideration by the Agency's Members and Directors.
Handle Agency administrative matters and other legal areas as required.
Supervise legal support staff engaged in similar duties.
Perform legal services related to the Agency's loan management and mortgage enforcement efforts.
Provide legal services related to architect and construction contracts.

Benefits

Extensive benefits package, including paid leave, health, dental, vision, and retirement benefits through the New York State and Local Employees' Retirement System.
Promotional opportunity for dedicated professionals.
Work-life balance benefits, including a 37.5-hour work week and paid vacation, sick, and personal days, as well as Federal Holidays.
Opportunity for compressed scheduling.
12 weeks of Paid Parental Leave.
Paid Family Leave.
Opportunity for compressed/flextime scheduling.
May qualify to participate in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Cash in for Wellness program, allowing use of sick leave accruals for a health club membership or weight loss and/or smoking cessation program.
Tuition reimbursement for job-related and non-job-related courses.
Vacation Leave Buy-Back program, subject to approval.
Access to Plum Benefits discounts.
Optical reimbursement for eligible optical, hearing aid, and podiatric expenses not otherwise covered by insurance, up to $650 per year per family, with unused yearly balances eligible to carry over up to $1,300.