Director of the Enforcement Unit, Office of General Counsel

City of New York • Long Island City, NY

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Office of General Counsel (OGC) provides legal support for the NYC Health Department and its public health functions. The Director of the Enforcement Unit oversees a team of specialized attorneys advancing major public health enforcement initiatives and handles administrative litigation to ensure citywide compliance with public health laws and regulations. The Unit’s work includes enforcement involving childcare providers, restaurant food safety, disease surveillance orders, and control measures following dangerous dog incidents. Its attorneys bring administrative proceedings against holders of Department-issued licenses and permits, advise Department programs on compliance and enforcement procedures, and participate in drafting and reviewing legislation. The Unit coordinates regularly with city and state agencies.

The Director reports to the First Deputy General Counsel and works under the general direction of the General Counsel and First Deputy General Counsel. The role includes representing the agency in proceedings before the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH), overseeing case management, researching and drafting legal papers, coordinating with Department programs and external agencies, managing workflow and deadlines, and maintaining confidential information. The attorney may also assist with liaison work involving civil litigation matters and travel in person to courts within New York City when needed.

Requirements

• Admission to the New York State Bar and continued membership in good standing for the duration of employment.
• Four years of recent, full-time, responsible, relevant, satisfactory legal experience subsequent to 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.
• Excellent research and writing skills.

Nice To Haves

• Strong written and oral advocacy skills with 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 LexisNexis.
• 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.
• Represent the agency at hearings, conferences, and trials before the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH).
• Manage cases, including developing case strategies, 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 for enhanced enforcement or special initiatives.
• Develop knowledge of Department program policies and regulations and advise programs on processes that could 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.
• Manage and distribute information accurately and appropriately.
• Monitor workflow, ensure compliance with deadlines, and prepare reports and summaries.
• Establish positive working relationships with coworkers and Department programs.
• Attend to other projects and tasks as needed or assigned to ensure continuity of OGC operations.

Benefits

• Potential eligibility for federal and 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.
• Possibility of working from home up to two days during the week, depending on the position.
• Job security compared with private-sector employment.

What This Job Offers

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