LEGAL DIRECTOR, CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS

City of New York•New York, NY

4d•$109,538 - $115,919•Hybrid

About The Position

New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) coordinates citywide emergency planning and response for emergencies of all types and scales. Its Office of the Chief Counsel provides legal advice on agency matters, supports NYCEM’s mission through transactional work, and coordinates with City, state, and federal counsel. The Civil and Human Rights Unit oversees compliance with applicable civil and human rights and equity mandates to promote equal treatment of populations that may be more vulnerable during emergency management operations, programs, and activities. The Legal Director of Civil and Human Rights works under the direction of the Executive Civil and Human Rights Counsel. The role oversees activities needed to maintain compliance with a Federal Court Settlement Order requiring improvements to City emergency preparedness plans and response and recovery activities for people with access and functional needs, including people with disabilities, older adults, and others who may be vulnerable during an emergency. The position also undertakes special projects assigned by the Chief Counsel and Deputy Chief Counsel. The role participates on an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) team. During activations, work may include evenings, weekends, holidays, or extended shifts. Employees also participate in periodic readiness training and exercises and volunteer to assist with three Ready NY emergency preparedness presentations each year. EOC teams are on call for three weeks at a time, with six weeks off between on-call periods. The position is in person at the office three days per week, subject to exceptions for extenuating circumstances. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without employer support.

Requirements

Admission to the New York State Bar and maintenance of 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.
Authorization to work in the United States without employer support.
Ability to work in person at the office three days per week, subject to exceptions for extenuating circumstances.
Participation in an EOC team, including availability for evenings, weekends, holidays, or extended shifts during emergency activations.
Participation in periodic emergency-readiness training and exercises and volunteering for three Ready NY preparedness presentations per year.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act, and related state and local civil and human rights laws and regulations concerning people with disabilities, older adults, and other protected classes.
Knowledge of concerns affecting potentially vulnerable or marginalized populations.
Knowledge of employment, human rights, and labor law.
Experience interpreting and applying federal civil rights laws, administrative enforcement, compliance, litigation support, or related legal practice.
Experience making presentations to stakeholders and leadership, virtually or in person.
Relevant experience complying with federal, state, and local legal mandates.
Excellent writing and interpersonal skills.
Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams.
Familiarity with Power BI, Westlaw, or Lexis.
An informed perspective on applying an equity lens to policymaking across protected classes.

Responsibilities

Coordinate with DAFN staff and NYCEM units to ensure compliance with local laws and state and federal civil and human rights mandates.
Maintain legal compliance with the terms of the Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled (BCID) Settlement Order.
Work with NYCEM units, City agencies, and other partners to ensure remediation measures are implemented timely and in accordance with the BCID Settlement Order, law, and City policy.
Liaise with the Corporation Counsel’s Office as needed, in coordination with senior Civil and Human Rights Unit staff.
Research and review materials related to emergency planning and response for Disability and Access and Functional Needs (DAFN) populations.
Collect progress data from NYCEM bureaus, units, and other agency DAFN staff.
Work with the Agency Disability Services Facilitator on ADA and other civil and human rights mandates and help resolve ADA grievances.
Coordinate the Disability Community Advisory Council and Disability Community Stakeholder Briefings.
Provide legal support to the Legal Affairs Unit as needed.
Participate in EOC operations, including emergency activations, training, and exercises, and volunteer to assist with three Ready NY preparedness presentations per year.
Work on special projects as directed by the Chief Counsel and Deputy Chief Counsel.