Deputy Commissioner of Accountability

City of New York•Queens, NY

About The Position

The New York City Department of Correction (DOC) seeks a Deputy Commissioner of Accountability to direct and oversee the day-to-day operations of the Trials & Litigation Division, the Adjudications Unit, and the Informal Charges & Discipline Unit. The position reports to the Senior Deputy Commissioner for Investigations, Intelligence & Accountability and carries broad latitude for independent judgment and initiative. The Deputy Commissioner oversees formal disciplinary proceedings against uniformed staff, including trial and settlement matters at the New York City Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH), and makes decisions on misconduct penalties. The role also oversees informal discipline for lower-level staff misconduct and PIC infraction and placement hearings, ensuring fair, consistent, equitable, and efficient outcomes. Recommendations are made to the DOC Commissioner and Remediation Manager for final approval. The successful candidate will advise and collaborate with agency units including Investigation & Intelligence, Human Resources, Labor Relations, Legal, the Bureau of Administration, and Health Management, and liaise with their leadership. The position also counsels Department executives on confidential discipline and standards matters, serves as a liaison with law enforcement agencies on employee misconduct, supports disciplinary policy development and implementation, serves on policy committees as needed, and supports compliance with external oversight requirements related to discipline.

Requirements

Admission to the New York State Bar.
Four years of recent, full-time, responsible, relevant, satisfactory legal experience after admission to any bar.
At least 18 months of the required experience must involve supervising other attorneys in an administrative, managerial, or executive capacity, or performing highly complex and significant legal work.
Must remain a member of the New York State Bar in good standing throughout employment.
Substantial experience with trial practice, litigation, conducting investigations, and relevant court proceedings.

Responsibilities

Direct and oversee the day-to-day operations of the Trials & Litigation Division, the Adjudications Unit, and the Informal Charges & Discipline Unit.
Oversee formal disciplinary trials and make decisions on misconduct penalties; make recommendations to the DOC Commissioner and Remediation Manager for final approval.
Oversee informal discipline processes to ensure staff misconduct is fairly addressed and outcomes are consistent.
Ensure proper, equitable, and efficient oversight of PIC infraction and placement hearings.
Monitor preparation of cases for trial or settlement.
Map legal strategy for litigation of administrative and disciplinary actions.
Review negotiated pleas and settlements.
Formulate and modify agency policies and procedures regarding employee discipline.
Conduct negotiations with opposing counsel and other parties.
Develop and implement mechanisms to ensure agency policies are applied fairly and effectively.
Track and report agency disciplinary activity.
Advise and collaborate with relevant agency units and liaise with their leadership.
Provide counsel to Department executives on confidential matters relating to discipline and adherence to Departmental standards.
Serve as the Department’s liaison with law enforcement agencies on matters relating to employee misconduct.
Support development and implementation of discipline-related policy and serve on policy implementation committees as needed.
Support Department efforts to comply with external oversight requirements concerning the disciplinary process.
Perform other highly confidential and sensitive assignments as directed.
Act with integrity and impartiality.