***To Apply: Email your resume and cover letter to dcwpjobs@dcwp.nyc.gov with the Job ID number and Position Name in the subject line.***
The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) protects and enhances the daily economic lives of New Yorkers to create thriving communities. DCWP licenses more than 45,000 businesses in more than 40 industries and enforces key consumer protection, licensing, and workplace laws that apply to countless more. By supporting businesses through equitable enforcement and access to resources and, by helping to resolve complaints, DCWP protects the marketplace from predatory practices and strives to create a culture of compliance. Through its community outreach and the work of its offices of Financial Empowerment and Labor Policy & Standards, DCWP empowers consumers and working families by providing the tools and resources they need to be educated consumers and to achieve financial health and work-life balance. DCWP also conducts research and advocates for public policy that furthers its work to support New York City’s communities. For more information about DCWP and its work, call 311 or visit DCWP at nyc.gov/dcwp or on its social media sites, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
The Office of Labor Policy and Standards (OLPS) enforces the City’s worker protection laws, including the Paid Safe and Sick Leave Law, Fair Workweek scheduling predictability laws in fast food and retail, and the Delivery Worker Laws, which create rights for app-based restaurant delivery workers classified as independent contractors, including a minimum pay rate that will go into effect in 2023. OLPS’ enforcement work includes obtaining monetary relief for workers and injunctive measures to prevent future violations. OLPS also advocates for new laws, performs research and data analysis to make policy recommendations, and conducts outreach and education to workers, employers, and the general public.
OLPS is seeking an attorney to manage the investigative work of OLPS. The attorney will report to the Litigation Director and will play a key leadership role in enforcement of workers’ rights laws under OLPS’ jurisdiction. Responsibilities include:
• Plan and lead complex investigations in support of OLPS’ strategic enforcement initiatives, including developing facts, working with data scientists to analyze relevant records, and leading settlement negotiations. Current initiatives include app-based restaurant delivery workers’ rights and fast-food workers’ rights under the Fair Workweek Law. Examples of OLPS’ recent strategic enforcement work are here and here.
• Manage a team of fifteen to twenty investigators and enforcement staff in their work evaluating complaints, investigating cases, gathering evidence, negotiating resolutions, and recommending litigation or other enforcement action as appropriate. Directly supervise 3-4 investigations supervisors.
• Write and update intake and investigation procedures, charge sheets, and templates to ensure a consistent, high-quality, professional investigative practice.
• Set goals and strategic priorities for the investigations team, in collaboration with the Litigation Director and investigations team supervisors. Ensure resource allocation is aligned with these goals and priorities.
• Foster collaboration, communication, and knowledge-sharing among members of the Investigations Team.
• Oversee recruitment, training, and professional development of Investigations Team staff.
• Work closely with OLPS Director of Operations and supervising investigators to develop and implement quality assurance processes, ensure that investigations are handled efficiently and in accordance with OLPS procedures, and identify and implement best practices for case handling and staffing.
• In collaboration with the OLPS management team, design and implement enforcement strategies for new laws under OLPS’ jurisdiction, including developing investigation procedures, documenting interpretive decisions to ensure consistency, creating sample correspondence and other external-facing materials, and training staff.
• Coordinate with community organizations, worker advocacy groups, and other local, state, and federal labor law enforcement agencies, to advance shared goals and promote effective working relationships.
This position is an exciting opportunity to be involved with a growing office enforcing the next generation of labor laws. The ideal candidate is a leader who enjoys the challenge of a complex investigation, collaborating with diverse teams, and tackling unique legal and procedural questions creatively.
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
• Five or more years of legal experience, preferably in litigation, legal services, or case management, or an equivalent combination of legal experience and significant relevant experience before law school.
• Commitment to social justice and interest in addressing the challenges faced by low-wage workers.
• Experience in employment law or a related field.
• Strong legal writing and editing skills.
• Management and supervision experience.
• Leadership skills, including the ability to think and plan strategically; experience supporting high-performing, diverse work teams; facilitation skills; and a commitment to building an equitable and inclusive work environment
• The ability to establish rapport and build relationships effectively and respectfully with multi-functional teams comprised of attorney and non-attorney staff.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced work environment and to adapt to shifting priorities and strategies.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills.
• Excellent analytical and creative problem-solving skills.
• Professional proficiency in a language other than English, especially Spanish, Mandarin, Bangla, or Russian.
Additional Information
In addition, the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) offers competitive salaries and the following benefits:
Paid Time Off and Holidays
• Paid time off for vacation and personal leave
• Paid time off for sick leave
• A generous holiday package of up to 13 days
Health Benefits
• Medical insurance plans
• Dental and vision insurance plans
• Employee assistance program
Financial and Savings Benefits
• 529 college savings plan
• Direct deposit
• Flexible spending account programs
• New York City Municipal Credit Union savings program
• Transit benefit programs
• Loan forgiveness
Retirement and Pension Plans
• New York City Employee Retirement System (NYCERS) pension plan
• New York City Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP) 401(k) and 457 plan
Additional Benefits for Union Members
• Disability insurance
• Health club reimbursements
• Life insurance
• Supplemental hospital coverage
• Tuition reimbursement
*Please note only employees represented by a labor union may qualify for additional benefits provided by the union welfare fund.
Employee Discounts
• Apple and Dell products
• Cell phones and plans
• Gym memberships
• Special pricing on event tickets through Barclay Center, Plum Benefits and Working Advantage
• And more!
To Apply
For Non-City/External Candidates: Visit the External Applicant NYC Careers site and type Consumer and Worker Protection on the search line. Then locate the Job ID number.
For Current City Employees: Visit Employee Self Service (ESS) to view and click on Recruiting Activities, Careers, and search by Job ID number.
A RESUME AND COVER LETTER ARE REQUIRED.
PLEASE INDICATE IN YOUR COVER LETTER HOW YOU HEARD ABOUT THIS POSITION.
INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
NO PHONE CALLS, FAXES, E-MAILS, OR PERSONAL INQUIRIES PERMITTED.
NOTE: ONLY THOSE CANDIDATES UNDER CONSIDERATION WILL BE CONTACTED.
*Appointments are subject to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval.
*55-a Candidates: NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and culturally responsive workforce. We strongly encourage 55-A candidates to apply to our positions in order to be given the opportunity.
**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.
***LOAN FORGIVENESS: The federal government provides student loan forgiveness through its Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) to all qualifying public service employees. Working with DCWP qualifies you as a public service employee and you may be able to take advantage of this program while working full-time and meeting the program’s other requirements. Please visit the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program site to view the eligibility requirements: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service
*Drug Screening: A drug screening may be required prior to being appointed.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations that enable people with disabilities to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment as are enjoyed by others. If you are contacted to attend an interview for one of our open vacancies and would like to request an accommodation for that date, please send an email to ReasonableAccommodationRequests@dcwp.nyc.gov.
If interested in being sent our job postings on a monthly basis, please email your resume at dcajobs@dcwp.nyc.gov. Make sure to include your personal contact information and the civil service title you are currently serving and civil service exams you have taken.
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
08/16/2023
POST UNTIL
10/20/2023
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.