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 childcare assistance to thousands of child welfare involved and low-income children so they can access safe, affordable, quality care.
The Office of the General Counsel’s (OGC) FOIL/Records Compliance & Records Management Unit seek an Agency Attorney. The Records and Compliance Unit is responsible for all FOIL requests for the agency; all closed child protective records requests for the agency; is the agency the liaison for the New York City Law Department Torts Division; the Special Federal Litigation Unit; the Special Litigation Unit; provides advice and support to agency staff regarding the confidentiality of the child protective services records and the Identifying Identification Law which is the responsibility of the Agency Privacy Officer (APO). The APO is responsible for monitoring the agency’s compliance with this local law, by collecting agency wide data and submitting all reports to the Chief Privacy Officer, the Mayor and the NYC Council.
The Records Management Unit, which encompasses the ACS Records Warehouse, provides support to the entire agency in retrieving and storing records. This requires coordination between the RMU warehouse and the vendor in Jersey City; the RMU warehouse is responsible for ensuring that the SCR review documents are submitted timely to the SCR; The Records Management Unit is responsible for expunging records in accordance with NY Social Services Law. The Records & Compliance Unit (RCU) Agency Attorney under supervision will process time-sensitive child protective services (CPS) record requests. These include requests from the Office of the District Attorneys in all five boroughs; federal subpoenas; interjurisdictional requests; legal advocacy groups representing some of our most vulnerable citizens; individual requests from members of the public who may have been involved in a child protective investigation.
The Agency Attorney is responsible for supervising non-attorney staff with completing records requests. This includes assigning the requests and ensuring that they are completed in accordance with applicable law, in a timely manner. The Agency Attorney must provide instruction and legal support in the preparation and production of the records. The Agency Attorney under supervision will provide litigation support for the NYC Law Department by producing ACS records, contracts and other documents, and witness notifications for the General Torts Division; Special Federal Litigation Unit; the Special Litigation Unit as needed to defend the City of New York and the Administration for Children’s Services. Under supervision, the Agency Attorney II will assist the Agency Privacy Officer (APO) with implementation of the Identifying Information Law by providing legal consultations; monitoring the agency’s compliance with this local law, which requires the collection of data and the preparation and submission of quarterly and bi-annual reports to the Chief Privacy Officer, the Mayor and the NYC Council.
The duties of the Agency Attorney will include but may not be limited to the following:
• Process, review and produce social services records pursuant to record requests
• FOIL requests
• Liaise with the New York City Law Department on State Tort and Federal Special Litigation Unit (NYPD cases) cases
• Provide consultations to agency staff on the Identifying Information Law
• Assist with special projects for the Records Management Unit
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 preferred candidate should possess the following: One (1) year experience as an Agency Attorney Level 2; excellent legal research and writing skills; able to exercise independent judgment; strong inter-personal skills and ability to take direction from several supervisors, familiarity with Children’s Services’ policies and procedures, including relevant child welfare laws and the Family Court Act.
Additional Information
THE SELECTED CANDIDATE WILL BE OFFERED A SALARY BETWEEN $71,423 – $82,137.
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# 586828.
For all other applicants go to www.nyc.gov/careers and search for Job ID# 586828. 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
08/17/2023
POST UNTIL
09/16/2023
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.