Legal Director, Civil And Human Rights

City of New York•Brooklyn, NY

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) coordinates citywide emergency planning and response for emergencies of all types and scales. The Office of the Chief Counsel advises agency executives and staff on legal and policy matters, supports the agency’s mission through transactional work, and coordinates with the NYC Law Department and other government counsel. Its Civil and Human Rights Unit oversees compliance with applicable civil rights, human rights, and equity mandates to promote equal treatment of populations who may be more vulnerable during emergency 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 work to maintain compliance with a Federal Court Settlement Order requiring improvements to the City’s emergency preparedness plans and response and recovery activities for people with access and functional needs, including people with disabilities and older adults. The position also undertakes special projects as directed by the Chief Counsel and Deputy Chief Counsel, and provides legal support to the Legal Affairs Unit as needed. The position participates on an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) team. During activations, team members may be required to work evenings, weekends, holidays, or extended shifts. Outside activations, employees participate in periodic training and exercises and must volunteer for three Ready NY emergency preparedness presentations per year. EOC teams are on call for three weeks at a time, followed by six weeks off. The selected candidate is required to work in person at the office location three days per week, with exceptions for extenuating circumstances. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without employer support. A separate cover letter must be submitted in the application portal.

Requirements

Admission to the New York State Bar and 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.
Submit a separate cover letter in the application portal.
Work in person at the office location three days per week, subject to exceptions for extenuating circumstances.
During emergency activations, availability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, or extended shifts may be required.
Participate in periodic training and exercises and volunteer for three Ready NY emergency 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 other 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 Office applications, including 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.
Demonstrated competencies in subject-matter knowledge, work ethic and productivity, strategic problem-solving and innovation, effective communication, and teamwork.
For managers: strategic planning, decision-making, relationship-building, giving and receiving feedback, communication to the unit, coaching, and team management.

Responsibilities

Coordinate with DAFN staff and NYCEM units to support compliance with local, state, and federal civil and human rights mandates.
Maintain legal compliance with 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 in a timely manner and in accordance with the BCID Settlement Order, applicable 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 and 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 on an Emergency Operations Center team and in periodic operational-readiness training and exercises.
Volunteer to assist with three Ready NY emergency preparedness presentations per year.
Undertake special projects as directed by the Chief Counsel and Deputy Chief Counsel.