Investigative Attorney

New York City, NY • Manhattan, NY

126d

About The Position

The New York City Department of Investigation (DOI) is one of the oldest law enforcement agencies in the country; its mission is to combat municipal corruption. DOI serves the people of New York City by acting as an independent and nonpartisan watchdog for New York City government, City agencies, and City employees, vendors with City contracts, individuals and entities that receive City funds. DOI is seeking a skilled and motivated Investigative Attorney to support the investigations of the Inspectors General overseeing the New York City Administration for Children's Services ('ACS') and the Department of Social Services ('DSS'). ACS is responsible for the protection of the City's children, youth, and families through investigations of suspected child abuse or neglect, the provision of childcare and education subsidies, juvenile detention services and secure detention facilities. ACS has a budget of approximately $3 billion and staff of approximately 7,000 employees. DSS is responsible for providing critical social services through the administration of more than 12 major public benefits programs and emergency shelters to assist the City's most vulnerable New Yorkers transition rapidly into permanent housing and self-sufficiency. DSS is the largest social services agency in the country, and the second largest City agency, employing over 16,000 employees, administering over $14 billion in benefits annually, and managing the City's homeless shelters. In this hybrid legal/investigative role, you will have the opportunity to work in a collaborative environment alongside skilled investigators, auditors, and DOI leadership on criminal, administrative, and policy-based investigations, to support the effort to root out fraud, waste, misconduct, and corruption, and to improve systems and policies to better protect the City's children, families, and vulnerable populations.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Active bar membership from any of the 50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands.
• A minimum of three years of recent full-time relevant legal experience subsequent to admission to any bar.

Nice To Haves

• Three or more years of professional legal experience in investigations, criminal or civil litigation, government, regulatory, or similar legal fields.
• Familiarity with New York City government operations and policies is valuable but not required.
• Excellent legal writing and editing skills, with experience drafting reports, memoranda, briefs, pleadings, and correspondence with limited supervision.
• Prior experience drafting and editing investigative reports highly desired.
• Effective at communicating complex information to internal and external stakeholders in an accessible manner.
• Experience conducting interviews from civilian witnesses, taking depositions or other testimony, highly desired.
• High degree of professionalism and excellent interpersonal skills, with an ability to communicate effectively with a variety of personnel at DOI, other law enforcement agencies, and officials at City agencies.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and operate effectively in a fast-paced work environment.
• Effective problem-solving abilities and demonstrated sound judgment and the highest ethical standards.

Responsibilities

• Analyzing complex documents - financial records, welfare data, procurement files, internal policies.
• Working in partnership with investigators, attorneys, policy analysts, and auditors to advance investigations, through interviews, document analysis, and field work.
• Collaborating with ACS/DSS officials, city/state/federal prosecutors, and law enforcement partners.
• Producing clear legal memoranda, investigative reports, and high-impact policy recommendations to strengthen agency controls and transparency.

Benefits

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Justice, Public Order, and Safety Activities
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees