Director of the Enforcement Unit, Office of General Counsel

City of New York • New York, NY

5d • $68,213 - $160,000

About The Position

The Office of General Counsel (OGC) provides legal support for the NYC Health Department and its public health functions. The Enforcement Unit is a group of specialized attorneys leading major public health enforcement initiatives, including proceedings involving childcare providers, restaurant food-safety requirements, disease surveillance orders, and compliance measures following dangerous dog incidents. The Unit files administrative proceedings against holders of Department-issued licenses and permits, advises Department programs on compliance and enforcement procedures, and participates in drafting and reviewing legislation. It also coordinates with city and state agencies and may liaise with those agencies and the New York City Law Department on civil litigation matters.

The Director oversees the Enforcement Unit under the general direction of the General Counsel and First Deputy General Counsel, and reports to the First Deputy General Counsel. The role involves representing the agency in administrative matters before OATH, managing cases from strategy and petitions through settlement negotiations, witness preparation, and evidence assembly, and producing legal research and written work. The Director works with Department programs to assess complaints, improve enforcement and compliance processes, and identify areas for enhanced enforcement. The position also entails coordinating with other agencies, maintaining confidential information, monitoring workflow and deadlines, and traveling in person to courts within New York City when needed.

Requirements

• Admission to the New York State Bar and continued membership in good standing throughout employment.
• Four years of recent, full-time, responsible, relevant, satisfactory legal experience after admission to any bar.
• At least 18 months of experience supervising other attorneys in an administrative, managerial, or executive capacity, or performing highly complex and significant legal work.
• Excellent research and writing skills.

Nice To Haves

• 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.
• Prior experience managing and training attorneys on administrative/OATH trials and hearings.
• Strong interpersonal, creative problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple cases and projects in a timely manner.
• Ability to use online legal research platforms such as Westlaw, CLEAR, and Lexis Nexis.
• Experience training other attorneys.
• Current working knowledge of Health Department procedures, policies, and practices.
• Current knowledge of or interest in public health matters.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the Enforcement Unit and its work.
• Represent the agency at hearings, conferences, and trials before the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH).
• Manage cases, including developing case strategy, preparing and serving petitions, negotiating settlements, preparing witnesses, and assembling evidence.
• Research and prepare briefs, appeals, orders, motions, legal opinions, memoranda, and other legal papers related to enforcement cases.
• Receive and assess complaints with Department programs to determine whether enforcement action is needed.
• Work with Department programs to promote effective enforcement and compliance and identify problem areas suitable for enhanced enforcement or special initiatives.
• Develop knowledge of Department program policies and regulations and advise programs about processes that can strengthen enforcement cases.
• Liaise with the Law Department and state and city agencies.
• Travel in person to courts within New York City when needed.
• Maintain sensitive and confidential information and manage and distribute information accurately and appropriately.
• Monitor workflow, ensure deadlines are met, and prepare reports and summaries.
• Establish positive working relationships with co-workers and Department programs.
• Undertake ad hoc projects and tasks as needed or assigned to ensure continuity of OGC operations.

Benefits

• Potential eligibility for federal or state loan forgiveness and repayment assistance programs.
• Premium-free health insurance plan.
• Additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position’s associated union or benefit fund.
• Public sector defined benefit pension plan.
• Tax-deferred savings program.
• Worksite Wellness Program.
• Depending on the position, the ability to work from home up to two days during the week.
• Job security compared to private-sector employment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed