Senior Counsel for Audit & Special Projects

City of New York•New York City, NY

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) is the nation's largest municipal housing agency, responsible for building and preserving affordable housing, protecting tenants, and holding landlords accountable across New York City. HPD is committed to making New York City a more affordable place for renters and homeowners. The Senior Counsel for Audit & Special Projects will be a leader in the Office of Compliance & Risk Management (CRM), which ensures fairness, consistency, and equity in HPD's external and internal engagements. CRM collaborates with HPD programs to ensure compliance with Federal, State, and City laws, regulatory requirements, policies, and procedures. The Audit Support unit within CRM helps agency staff manage and coordinate audits, creates efficient audit processes, and ensures identified issues are addressed.

Requirements

Admission to the New York State Bar.
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.
Must remain Members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of this employment.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated ability to interpret complex legislation, regulations, and policy requirements, and translate them into clear operational guidance and practical implementation approaches.
Ability to strategically assess and evaluate agency processes, interpret and synthesize complex findings into actionable recommendations, and develop effective agency-wide responsive plans.
Ability to manage multiple time-sensitive, complex projects related to business operations and to coordinate with various parties to help complete them.
Ability to work collaboratively with a variety of stakeholders and to be a strategic partner in identifying issues and solutions.
Ability to clearly, effectively, and persuasively communicate findings and issues to various internal and external stakeholders, both for written and verbal communication.
Familiarity with Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS).
Interest in improving government practice and devising solutions that support the advancement of affordable housing efforts.

Responsibilities

Manage all aspects of audits, compliance reviews, and/or monitorings, including overseeing the coordination and completion of responses to audit requests and preparing agency responses to audit reports.
Lead the design, development, and implementation of all audit plans, focusing on streamlining program audit work.
Supervise the Audit Support team in creating and maintaining materials to simplify and automate periodic audit and oversight requirements.
Foster relationships with key external audit representatives and internal stakeholders to promote positive and efficient workflows.
Analyze and assess programs for compliance and risk management to improve operational efficiency.
Research applicable statutes, case law, or other material.
Work with programmatic staff to ensure agency programs and services are delivered in a way consistent with relevant laws and regulations.
Draft clear and effective analytical documents, as well as guides or other materials for program staff.
Advise on enforcement and administration of acts, rules, laws, and regulations.
Collaborate and consult with the Office of Legal Affairs (Legal) to provide operational guidance regarding compliance with Federal, State, and City rules and regulations.
Evaluate HPD’s risk management and internal controls procedures to improve operational efficiency and alignment to agency objectives, compliance requirements, and audit mandates.
Advise staff on the implementation of commitments and/or work with agency staff to help alleviate roadblocks to implementation.
Advise programs on ways to strengthen policies and procedures to meet agency obligations.
Identify other opportunities for risk mitigation.
Lead projects with stakeholders across the agency to strengthen program performance and further the agency’s mission.
Prepare briefing materials with analysis and recommendations for leadership decision and action, including responses to new legislative or legal mandates, regulatory comments, or other formal legal submissions.
Develop corrective action plans or similar to remedy issues identified as part of an internal risk assessment or recommendations from externally initiated audits or reviews.
Execute other priority projects and special initiatives as required.