Review Vacancy
AgencyChildren & Family Services, Office of
TitleDeputy Counsel(Special Assistant)
Bargaining UnitM/C - Management / Confidential (Unrepresented)
Salary RangeFrom $0 to $0 Annually
Minimum Qualifications Candidates MUST have been admitted to the New York State Bar Exam. Candidates MUST have had five years of full-time relevant experience, AND the candidate MUST have a minimum of two years of experience supervising attorneys or performing highly complex and significant legal work.
Incumbents must remain members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of this employment.
Applicants must be admitted to practice law in New York State. In addition the Public Officers Law requires that attorneys in the Office be Citizens of the Unites States.
Duties Description The Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) serves New York's public by promoting the safety, permanency and well-being of our children, families and communities. OCFS is seeking an experienced attorney to shadow and serve as Deputy General Counsel within the agency’s Legal Division.
This position will be responsible for supervising staff and, together with the Legal Division’s other Deputy General Counsel, share in the management of the Legal Division’s multiple bureaus. Those bureaus include Child Welfare Services; Federal Compliance, Adult Services and Ethics; Legislation and Special Projects; Juvenile Justice; Hearings, Litigation and Appeals; Child Care Enforcement; Employment Law and Information Technology Law. The candidate will report directly to the agency’s General Counsel.
The duties of the candidate include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Plan, organize and direct activities associated with assigned legal bureaus.
• Develop and implement required policies and procedures impacting the agency and the Legal Division.
• Recommend legislative proposals affecting the agency.
• Assist with development of the budget for the Legal Division.
• Represent the Legal Division on agency committees, on behalf of the agency in its dealings with other governmental and private entities and in agency meetings.
• Provide advice and guidance to the agency’s General Counsel and Deputy Commissioners of the agency’s several division areas on an array of legal matters.
• Function as backup to the agency’s General Counsel when necessary.
• Assist with the Legal Division’s administrative and personnel matters.
• Conduct legal research and draft legal memorandum.
• Collaborate with agency colleagues on myriad legal issues and assess any risk to the agency.
• Collaborate with agency colleagues and the New York State Attorney General’s Office to manage agency-related litigation.
• Collaborate with agency colleagues to manage and respond to FOIL requests and audits.
• Represent the Commissioner and the Legal Division at external meetings, conferences and other events as requested by the Commissioner or General Counsel.
• Additional duties will be discussed in further detail at the interview.
Additional Comments Please specify in your cover letter and/or resume how you meet the minimum qualifications (as described above) when responding to this posting.
Preferred Skills:
• Eight (8) or more years of full-time experience after admission to any bar performing highly complex and significant legal work, including any experience akin to the type of work performed by OCFS, as more fully described above.
• Legal experience in a supervisory role or in a General Counsel’s office at a local, state or federal agency.
• Litigation experience.
• Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills, including demonstrated success working collaboratively with colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Strong legal research and writing skills.
• Strong work ethic and attention to detail, and exceptional organizational skills.
Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. OCFS is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to workplace diversity.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Name New York State Office of Children and Family Services
Email Address eoajobpostings@ocfs.ny.gov
Address
Street Bureau of Personnel, EOA #18-289 MED
52 Washington Street, 231 North
Notes on ApplyingQualified candidates should send a resume and cover letter giving the Title, Location, and EOA Number of the position being applied for. Please provide your email address and your work, home and cell phone numbers. In order to qualify you for the position when you have current or prior New York State employment, you may be contacted by OCFS Personnel for your social security number to confirm your employment history.