LEGAL DIRECTOR, CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS

City of New York•New York, NY

5d•$109,538 - $115,919•Hybrid

About The Position

New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) helps New Yorkers before, during, and after emergencies through preparedness, education, and response. NYCEM is responsible for coordinating citywide emergency planning and response for all types and scales of emergencies. The Office of the Chief Counsel provides legal advice to NYCEM executives and staff regarding critical, strategic, legal and policy issues facing the agency, engages in transactional work in support of the NYCEM mission and coordinates with the NYC Law Department, Office of the Chief Counsel to the Mayor and City Hall, and other local, state and federal counsels regarding various legal issues ranging from emergency events to litigation, which impact the agency. The Office of Chief Counsel is comprised of the Legal Affairs Unit, the Civil and Human Rights Unit formerly known as the Disability, Access and Functional Needs Unit (DAFN), and the Records Management Unit. The Civil and Human Rights unit within the Office of Chief Counsel oversees compliance with all applicable civil and human rights and equity mandates in order to effectuate equal treatment of populations that may be more vulnerable than the general public throughout Emergency Management operations, programs and activities. The Office of the Chief Counsel is seeking a Legal Director of Civil and Human Rights. Under the direction of the Executive Civil and Human Rights Counsel, the selected candidate will, among a wide range of other duties, be responsible for the oversight of the activities necessary to maintain compliance with a Federal Court Settlement Order. The settlement required the enhancement of the City’s emergency preparedness plans and response and recovery activities related to people with access and functional needs, which includes people with disabilities, older adults, and others who are vulnerable during an emergency. The candidate will also be required to work on special projects as directed by the Chief Counsel and the Deputy Chief Counsel.

Requirements

Admission to the New York State Bar; and four years of recent full-time responsible, relevant, satisfactory legal experience subsequent to admission to any bar, eighteen months of which must have been in the supervision of other attorneys, in an administrative, managerial or executive capacity, or performing highly complex and significant legal work.
Incumbents must remain Members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of this employment.

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 pertaining to people with disabilities, the elderly and other protected classes, and knowledge of concerns of other potentially vulnerable or marginalized populations.
Knowledge of employment, human rights and labor law
Admission to and a member in good standing of the New York State Bar
Experience interpreting and applying federal civil rights laws, administrative enforcement, compliance, litigation support, or related legal practice
Prior experience making presentations to stakeholders and leadership, either virtually or in person
Relevant experience in compliance with various mandates (federal, state and local legal authorities)
Excellent writing and interpersonal skills
Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams); familiarity with Power BI, Westlaw, or Lexis is preferred
An informed perspective on applying an equity lens regarding all protected classes in policymaking
Candidates are not expected to possess every preferred qualification. Successful applicants may demonstrate equivalent knowledge, transferable experience, or the ability to quickly learn new systems and technologies.
Proven ability in the following areas, from the agency’s performance management model: Knowledge, Work Ethic and Productivity, Strategic Problem Solving and Innovation, Effective Communication, Teamwork, Strategic Planning, Decision Making, Relationship Building, Giving and Receiving Feedback, Communication to unit, Coaching, Team Management.

Responsibilities

Coordination with the DAFN staff and all NYCEM units for compliance with Local Laws, state, and federal civil and human rights mandates.
Continued legal compliance with the terms of the Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled (BCID) Settlement Order.
Working closely with all NYCEM units, many City Agencies and other partners to ensure remediation measures are being implemented timely and in legal accord with the BCID Settlement Order and as otherwise required by 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 of materials as applicable to emergency planning and response in the context of the 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 (DSF) with regard to ADA and other civil and human rights mandates and help resolve any received ADA Grievances.
Coordinate Disability Community Advisory Council and Disability Community Stakeholder Briefings.
Provide legal support to the Legal Affairs Unit, as needed.