Attorney

Public Health Solutions • New York, NY

9d • Hybrid

About The Position

Public Health Solutions (PHS), the fiscal and administrative manager of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention grant, is hiring three Assistant General Counsel positions to support the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health Department). The selected candidate will be employed by PHS and supervised by the NYC Health Department. The grant-funded position ends in November 2027. The Office of General Counsel provides legal advice and assistance across the agency, including in legal affairs, contracts, privacy, employment law, records access, health code enforcement, the Institutional Review Board, and Assisted Outpatient Treatment.

Under the direct supervision of the First Deputy General Counsel or Unit Directors, the Assistant General Counsel will provide legal counsel and support on public health legal matters. The work includes research and analysis, legislative and regulatory tracking, legal guidance and consultation, support for regulatory proposals and agreements, adjudication matters, and compliance involving sensitive information. The role also involves collaboration with agency teams and other stakeholders, and additional duties as assigned.

The position is hybrid, Monday through Friday, for 35 hours per week. The employee must reside in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut by the confirmed start date. Work outside business hours is expected during emergencies.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree.
• At least one to two years of full-time, relevant legal experience after admission to any state bar.
• Must remain a member in good standing of the New York State Bar for the duration of employment.
• Proactive and self-motivated, with the ability to work in teams and in a dynamic environment involving multiple stakeholders and timelines.
• Must reside in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut by the confirmed start date.
• Must be available to work non-business hours during emergencies.

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience in litigation or transactional law.
• Strong written and oral advocacy skills and attention to detail.
• Knowledge of or interest in administrative or regulatory law.
• Ability to negotiate settlements with opposing counsel.
• Strong interpersonal, creative problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work productively and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently.
• Excellent judgment and decision-making skills.
• Ability to meet deadlines and manage cases and projects in a timely manner.
• Willingness to learn on the job and take initiative in managing multiple priorities.
• Highly detail-oriented, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects.
• Ability to use online legal research platforms such as Westlaw, CLEAR, and Lexis Nexis.
• Current working knowledge of Health Department procedures, policies, and practices.
• Current knowledge of or interest in public health matters.
• Understanding of how laws, policies, and legal systems influence the cause, distribution, and prevention of disease and injury.

Responsibilities

• Conduct legal research and use evidence-based data to draft written analyses supporting the design and implementation of policies and programs, often on a time-sensitive basis.
• Ensure ethical and legal compliance in data collection, maintenance, and dissemination.
• Identify and evaluate legal data sources and laws relevant to public health and translate findings into policy recommendations, reports, and strategic planning guidance.
• Provide legislative evidence and analysis on how legal frameworks and laws affect health outcomes, health risks, disparities, and interventions.
• Monitor federal, state, and local legislation and regulations that affect public health and the workforce.
• Draft amendments to the NYC Health Code and Commissioner of Health regulations, and research the legal feasibility of requested Health Code or Commissioner’s rule changes.
• Support the Commissioner on regulatory proposals and assist with varied agreements, contracts, and memoranda of understanding.
• Provide legal analysis and specialized advice on matters including NYC Health Code enforcement, Freedom of Information Law requests, privacy, and environmental health.
• Translate complex technical or legal information into clear summaries.
• Attend court hearings or appear at the Mayor’s Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings to prosecute show cause matters on behalf of the Department of Health, when required.
• Research and interpret statutes, regulations, and agency guidance to ensure accurate maintenance and appropriate distribution of sensitive and confidential information.
• Build positive working relationships and collaborate with co-workers, policymakers, public health practitioners, and programs across the agency.
• Perform additional administrative, legal, or project-specific duties as directed by the First Deputy General Counsel or as required by OGC’s operational or programmatic needs.

Benefits

• Hybrid work schedule.
• Generous paid time off and holidays.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Flexible Spending Accounts and commuter benefits.
• Company-paid life insurance and disability coverage.
• 403(b) with employer matching and discretionary company contributions.
• College Savings Plan.
• Ongoing training and continuous opportunities for professional growth and development.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree