Company Description
Job Description
THE SELECTED CANDIDATE WILL BE OFFERED A SALARY BETWEEN $95,632.00-$109,976.00
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.
FCLS is primarily responsible for representing The Administration for Children’s Services in child neglect and abuse cases, permanency hearings, juvenile delinquency hearings and other child welfare proceedings in the five Family Courts. The work done by FCLS to support ACS and the Division of Child Protection is directly related to maintaining and improving the health and safety of children who are the subject of child abuse and neglect proceedings. FCLS attorneys work collaboratively with ACS Child Protective Specialists (CPS), foster care agency case planners and other ACS staff and child welfare stakeholders to further the agency’s mission on behalf of children, youth and families.
Under direction, with wide latitude for independent judgment and unreviewed action and decision, engage in difficult and complex legal work with in the Division of Family Court Legal Services (FCLS). Participate in legal casework functions having significant procedural or policy consequences. Specific duties will include:
– Provide strategic guidance and supervision of all lower level Attorney Staff engaged in a variety of legal tasks, including the effective preparation of witnesses, evidence and other trial-related initiatives.
– Maintain a caseload of approximately 40 to 50 cases involving complex child abuse and neglect matters.
– Screen sensitive cases to determine causes of action and assign cases to lower level Attorney Staff.
– Draft and review petitions, write up deferrals and conduct legal consultations.
– Review and analyze motions and other pertinent legal documents.
– Attend weekly case conferences and serve as a liaison between AC S and all external stakeholders.
– Provide on-site legal support to the borough-based Child Advocacy Centers as needed, which may include observing interviews and participating in multi-disciplinary meetings.
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.