Director of the Employment Law Unit

The Office of General Counsel (OGC) provides legal advice and assistance to the entire agency. Specifically OGC works to ensure that the innovative programs and initiatives of the NYC Health Department are supported by a dedicated legal team. The OGC is comprised of team members who work in a variety of areas including legal affairs (legal and policy analysis; health code enforcement; records access) contracts privacy and employment law. OGC also houses the Institutional Review Board and attorneys working in the Assisted Outpatient Treatment program.

The Employment Law Unit (ELU) is a vital program situated within OGC. With jurisdiction over the 7000 employees in the agency and the 800 employees in the Office of Chief Medical Examiner ELU investigates mediates and prosecutes matters relating to but not limited to employee misconduct and fitness for duty. ELU also provides legal assistance to the OGC regarding varied assignments and participates in mandatory Agency-wide activities for emergency preparedness.

Job Description

The OGC seeks to hire a Director of ELU to provide sound recommendations and counsel to Agency managers regarding complex legal matters and zealously advocate in the best interests of the Agency.

The Director of ELU will manage the administration of disciplinary cases exercising wide discretion in determining the appropriate investigation; strategize with managers about the appropriate course of disciplinary action; negotiate with Unions and private attorneys; and oversee all phases of necessary litigation from drafting disciplinary charges through appeals at OLR OATH OCB arbitrations and Civil Service Commission.

The Director will supervise a sizeable caseload handled by a small staff of skilled litigators investigatory staff and administrative staff.

Additionally the ELU Director will support Agency-wide compliance with the conflicts of interest law; and lead the Agency liaison to COIB regarding their evaluation and response to inquiries concerning the conflicts of interest law and requests for advice and support of waivers from COIB.

Preferred Skills

Hold a JD from an accredited law school member in good standing of the New York State Bar.

Have a minimum of 10 years of legal experience including 5 years in government or administrative law.

Have a minimum of 5 years of litigation experience.

Have a minimum of 5 years of municipal or government conflicts of interest or codes of ethics legal experience.

Be experienced in providing legal counsel in a government organization.

Demonstrated commitment to advancing health equity and supporting racial justice.

Possess clear writing ability for extensive internal and external communications.

Excellent communication skills including emotional intelligence and connections building with external stakeholders.

High-level proficiency in conflict management techniques such as negotiation mediation and compromise.

Knowledge of Employment Law including New York State Civil Service Laws New York City Conflicts of Interest Law and relevant disciplinary rules affecting New York City employees.

Why you should work for us:

-Benefits: City employees are entitled to unmatched benefits such as:
oa premium-free health insurance plan that saves employees over $10K annually per a 2024 assessment.
oadditional health fitness and financial benefits may be available based on the positions associated union/benefit fund.
oa public sector defined benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement.
oa tax-deferred savings program and
oa robust Worksite Wellness Program that offers resources and opportunities to keep you healthy while serving New Yorkers.
-Work From Home Policy: Depending on your position you may be able to work up to two days during the week from home.
-Job Security - you could enjoy more job security compared to private sector employment and be able to contribute to making NYC a healthy place to live and work.

Established in 1805 the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health Department) is the oldest and largest health department in the U.S. dedicated to protecting and improving the health of NYC. Our mission is to safeguard the health of every resident and cultivate a city where everyone regardless of age background or location can achieve their optimal health. We provide a wide array of programs and services focused on food and nutrition anti-tobacco support chronic disease prevention HIV/AIDS treatment family and child health environmental health mental health and social justice initiatives. As the primary population health strategist and policy authority for NYC with a rich history of public health initiatives and scientific advancements from addressing the 1822 yellow fever outbreak to the COVID-19 pandemic we serve as a global leader in public health innovation and expertise.

Come join us and help to continue our efforts in making a difference in the lives of all New Yorkers!

The NYC Health Department is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation to all individuals. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process contact Sye-Eun Ahn Director of the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity at or .

EXECUTIVE AGENCY COUNSEL - 95005

Qualifications :

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.

Additional Information :

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic including but not limited to an individuals sex race color ethnicity national origin age religion disability sexual orientation veteran status gender identity or pregnancy.

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time