Company Description
Job Description
THE SELECTED CANDIDATE WILL BE OFFERED A SALARY BETWEEN $63,228 – $72,712.
The 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, the agency’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 NYCs early childhood and education continuum, providing child care assistance to thousands of child welfare involved and low-income children so they can access safe, affordable, quality care.
The Fair Hearings & Compliance Unit (FHCU) is a litigation and compliance unit reporting to the ACS General Counsel. FHCU represents ACS before the NYS Office of Children and Family Services/Bureau of Special Hearings (OCFS/BSH) in the following types of administrative hearings and Reviews: expungements, adoption subsidy and kinship guardianship. Under close supervision, engages in moderate to complex legal work in the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) to further the agency’s mission on behalf of children and families.
The Attorney will represent the Commissioner of the Administration for Children’s Services in administrative hearings and/or related Article 78 proceedings before both the NYS Office of Children and Family Services, and the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, and other New York State tribunal(s) and/or Courts concerning adoption subsidy payments, kinship guardianship payments, foster care rates and services, preventative services, reports of child neglect, or other such issues as may be required. In providing such representation, the attorney shall engage in a variety of legal tasks, including the effective preparation of witnesses, evidence, and other trial-related initiatives.
Specific duties may include, but are not limited to the following:
– Maintain a significant caseload of complex and/or sensitive cases.
– Prepare and maintain case files and documents in advance of court appearances, including document redaction and production of discovery materials as required.
– Interview witnesses and other relevant parties, reviewing relevant agency and third-party records, and determining strength and admissibility of evidence.
– Draft legal documents, including pleadings, motions, and memoranda by following generally acceptable legal procedures, forms, and techniques to meet agency needs, goals, and objectives.
– Represent the Commissioner before the Bureau of Special Hearings at initial conferences and related hearings.
– Assist unit in handling of Article 78 matters before the Supreme Court.
– Conduct legal research and regularly reviewing relevant case law and regulations to support legal opinions Preparation of these cases involves identifying and analyzing often extensive case record and documentary evidence, as well as conducting witness and collateral interviews.
Qualifications
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.
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 individual’s sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.