The NYC Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) protects and promotes the safety and well-being of New York City’s children and families by providing child welfare, juvenile justice, and early care services. In child welfare, ACS contracts with private nonprofit organizations to support and stabilize families at risk of a crisis through preventive services and provides foster care services for children not able to safely remain at home. Each year, ACS’s Division of Child Protection responds to more than 50,000 reports of suspected child abuse or neglect. In juvenile justice, ACS manages and funds services including detention and placement, intensive community-based alternatives for youth, and support services for families. ACS is also a key part of the City’s early childhood and education continuum, providing childcare assistance to thousands of child welfare involved and low-income children so they can access safe, affordable, quality care.
The Business Law Unit (BLU) is a unit within the Office of the General Counsel at ACS and it is responsible for the preparation, review, and interpretation of ACS contracts, business relationship agreements, and related agency correspondence, including requests for proposals and the contracts generated thereby including renewals, extensions, and modifications; bid books; memoranda of understanding; subscriptions; consulting agreements; small purchases, and various letters and memos addressed to contractors and providers. BLU provides legal counsel to ACS program and administrative divisions on all business and contract law matters and is often asked to opine on issues of programmatic concern.
BLU also interprets commercial leases and acts to enforce lease provisions for any of ACS’s site locations and provides legal support and guidance for facility related projects. BLU serves as liaison to the NYC Law Department in connection with all contract and commercial law and facility related litigation matters for ACS. BLU supports ACS’ programmatic initiatives and administrative goals through the provision of legal advice and support as well as the preparation of various contract documents to every division throughout ACS.
Agency Attorneys within BLU are responsible for drafting, reviewing and revising ACS contracts and solicitations which include, but are not limited to, agreements, memorandums of understandings, licenses, cooperative agreements between ACS and other City agencies, leases, requests for proposals and bid book solicitations. BLU Agency Attorney duties also extend beyond the initial contract process to include, but are not limited to, providing guidance on specifications for solicitations, corrective action plans, vendor protest responses, and legal questions arising out of signed agreements. Under direction and supervision, with wide latitude for independent judgment but with reviewed action and decision making, the Agency Attorney III will provide legal counsel, contract drafting and negotiating services to ACS.
Specific duties will include, but are not limited to:
• Draft, review, revise, interpret and negotiate contracts for the purchase of goods and services entered into by ACS including, but not limited to, renewals, extensions, and modification agreements and other agreements between ACS and other parties such as memorandums of understanding with other City agencies, licenses, leases, and cooperative agreements.
• Draft, review and interpret non-disclosure agreements, photograph/video releases and consents, corrective action plans, legal opinions, vendor protest responses, licenses and occupancy agreements.
• Provide legal counsel to ACS program and administrative divisions on business, contract and procurement law matters.
• Provide legal counsel with regard to financial services issues, debt collection, and on payments and budget issues.
• Interpret commercial leases and provide legal support and guidance for facility-related projects.
• Serve as liaison to the NYC Law Department in connection with contract and commercial law as well as real estate issues and litigation matters.
• Investigate and prepare reports relating to illegal but equitable claims filed with the Comptroller’s Office.
• Analyze and identify complicated legal problems and issues by conducting legal research and reviewing applicable laws and regulations.
• Formulate legal briefs and memorandums.
• Assist with the training of new (and possibly current) Agency Attorneys.
• Handle special projects for senior leadership such as the ACS Commissioner or Deputy Commissioners
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
Experience drafting and negotiating transactional contracts is strongly preferred.
Ability to handle complex assignments and turnaround high quality work product quickly is also strongly preferred.
Knowledge of ACS or New York City contract requirements and procurement rules.
Experience preparing contracts for a New York State child welfare agency.
Excellent research and writing skills.
Excellent communication skills.
Additional Information
THE SELECTED CANDIDATE WILL BE OFFERED A SALARY BETWEEN $80,000 – $91,563.
Section 424-A of the New York Social Services Law requires an authorized agency to inquire whether a
candidate for employment with child-caring responsibilities has been the subject of a child abuse and
maltreatment report.
To Apply
APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY USING ONE OF THE OPTIONS BELOW:
For current city employees, go to Employee Self Service (ESS), Recruiting Activities, Careers and search for Job ID# 593728
For all other applicants go to www.nyc.gov/careers and search for Job ID# 593728 Click on the “Apply” button.
If you do not have access to a computer, most public libraries have computers available for use.
Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
Public Svc Loan Forgiveness
As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at StudentAid.gov/PSLF .
Residency Requirement
New York City Residency is not required for this position
POSTING DATE
08/04/2023
POST UNTIL
09/03/2023
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.