This position will be assigned to work at The Mayor’s Office of Special Enforcement (OSE). OSE, housed within the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, is responsible for coordinating enforcement efforts across City agencies to address complex quality of life issues, including illegal conversions of residential buildings into hotels, adult use and illegal massage locations, and emerging issues. OSE ensures that these enforcement efforts (including inspections, litigation, outreach, and education) are leveraged across all five boroughs to address dangerous conditions at properties that require a coordinated multi-agency response. OSE staff members include fire prevention inspectors, building inspectors, investigators, deputy sheriffs, and attorneys.
OSE was also designated as the administrating agency for the City’s Short-Term Rental Registration Law (Local Law No. 18 of 2022)(the Registration Law), which will go into effect January 9, 2023, and both requires short-term rental hosts to register with the City and prohibits on-line booking service platforms from processing unregistered transactions.
OSE seeks to hire two experienced, talented, and highly motivated attorneys focused on the prosecuting of violations of the Registration Law, including the following responsibilities:
• Prosecuting OSE summonses/violations/revocations at the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH);
• Appearing at OATH, Supreme Court, or other courts for arguments, hearings, and conferences concerning violations and revocations of the Registration Law. Negotiating resolutions of civil actions with defense counsels and drafting stipulations of settlement;
• Bringing enforcement actions at OATH and Supreme Court against online booking service platforms for non-compliance with the Registration Law;
• Preparing appeals of administrative decisions and assisting in defensive litigation against the City stemming from OSE enforcement actions;
• Drafting and preparing responses, motions, and other documents relating to the continuing prosecution of OSE summonses/violations;
• Drafting litigation documents, including memos, correspondences, pleadings, motions, discovery requests and responses for civil enforcement actions. Consults with City inspectors, investigators, and other law enforcement personnel to prepare affidavits in support of motions and applications;
• Identifying and retrieving appropriate documents-and evidence for hearings;
• Promptly and accurately notifying OSE leadership of important issues and outcome of hearings, adjournments, and other matters connected to summons prosecution;
• Pre-hearing preparation, including general research for upcoming cases and follow through of previous cases handled;
• Performing in-house assignments relating to OATH/ECB and Supreme Court adjudication of summonses and revocations issued by OSE;
• Ensuring that injunctive relief provisions are complied with and that all necessary settlement payments are made. Providing legal counsel to OSE Inspection Teams regarding administrative enforcement issues related to the Registration Law;
• Supporting team investigations and enforcement actions by drafting and filing administrative access warrants and subpoenas as well as reviewing and processing applications for registration from hosts and submissions from building owners and making determinations, as necessary;
• Actively undertaking and participating in special projects and assignments; and
• Any other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qual Requirements
1. Admission to the New York State Bar; and either “2” or “3” below.
2. One year of satisfactory United States legal experience subsequent to admission to any state bar; or
3. Six months of satisfactory service as an Agency Attorney Interne (30086).
Incumbents must remain Members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of this employment.
In addition to meeting the minimum Qualification Requirements:
To be assigned to Assignment Level (AL) II, candidates must have one year of experience at Assignment Level I or two years of comparable legal experience subsequent to admission to the bar, in the areas of law related to the assignment. To be assigned to AL III candidates must have two years of experience in Assignment Levels I and/or II or three years of comparable legal experience subsequent to admission to the bar, in the areas of law related to the assignment.
Preferred Skills
The ideal candidate will have 1) two years or more of legal experience as an admitted attorney with experience in civil litigation, including preparing pleadings, court appearances, discovery practice, and taking depositions; 2) experience working with a team of investigators and inspectors; and 3) demonstrated commitment to a public interest legal practice. Substantial non-legal experience in relevant fields – especially in housing, building and fire codes, or investigations – will be considered in lieu of the preferred two years of legal experience. Proven ability to work both alone and collaboratively is a plus.
To Apply
For Non-City/External Candidates: Visit the External Applicant NYC Careers site (nyc.gov/jobs/search) and search for the specific Job ID #
For Current City Employees: Visit Employee Self-Service (ESS) to view and apply for available positions. Click on Recruiting Activities, Careers, and search for the specific Job ID #
No phone calls, faxes or personal inquiries permitted.
NOTE: ONLY THOSE CANDIDATES UNDER CONSIDERATION WILL BE CONTACTED
Residency Requirement
New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.
POSTING DATE
07/14/2023
POST UNTIL
08/06/2023
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 individual’s sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.