Job Description
DCAS's mission is to make city government work for all New Yorkers.
From managing New York Citys most iconic courthouses and municipal buildings, to purchasing over $1 billion annually in goods and services for more than 80 City agencies what we do ensures that all agencies can deliver on their mission.
Our reach touches every facet of city government and is instrumental to the successful day-to-day operations of the City of New York.
Our commitment to equity, effectiveness, and sustainability guides our work providing City agencies with the critical resources and support needed to succeed, including:
- Recruiting, hiring, and training City employees.
- Managing 55 public buildings.
- Acquiring, selling, and leasing City property.
- Purchasing over $1 billion in goods and services for City agencies.
- Overseeing the greenest municipal vehicle fleet in the country.
- Leading the City's efforts to reduce carbon emissions from government operations.
When you work at DCAS, you're not just working for one agency, but in service of them all.
It's an opportunity to provide impactful support, quality customer service, and help protect the future of New York City for generations to come.
Visit our website at nyc.gov/dcas to learn more about the work we do.
About the Office of the General Counsel (OGC)
The Office of General Counsel (OGC) is comprised of the following units: Real Estate (leasing, acquisitions, and disposals); Human Capital (Civil Service and Employment Law); Procurement; and Discipline and Labor Relations.
OGC's DCAS and Citywide legal support also extends to Litigation of landlord-tenant matters of City-owned property, performing legislative review, and providing legal counsel for agency lines in the areas of fleet administration, energy purchasing/conservation, and facilities management/construction.
OGC works with Corporation Counsel on special matters present before the agency that may require litigation or additional review due to the City Charter.
About the Job
OGC seeks a highly motivated attorney and manager to serve as Special Counsel and Chief of Staff to the General Counsel.
With latitude for independent judgment, the Special Counsel and Chief of Staff will play a critical role in advising the General Counsel and managing OGC, including working with senior leadership within OGC and across the agency.
Accordingly, they must exercise excellent judgment from an organizational, strategic, and legal perspective in a fast paced environment while juggling multiple priorities.
The successful candidate must be a highly organized, proactive, strategic, and a strong communicator in order to foster a collaborative environment.
They must be able to think holistically and creatively, identifying risk while being solutions oriented.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Advising the General Counsel on sensitive matters;
- Managing a staff of 40+ attorneys, investigators, and support staff, including Deputy General Counsels across a number of portfolios;
- Leading OGCs development and execution of a talent hiring and retention plan;
- Assist with management of major OGC processes, including risk management, audits, investigations, review of legislation and regulations, and oversight of major litigation;
- Manage information flow between the General Counsel and internal and external parties to eliminate bottlenecks;
- Develop organizational structures and systems that facilitate the work of teams, including cross-functional teams;
- Work with the General Counsel and DCAS executive/senior leadership to ensure that OGC is meeting the needs of the agency; and
- Handle any other duties or matters as needed.
Qualifications
Admission to the New York State Bar; and four years of recent full-time responsible, relevant, satisfactory legal experience subsequent to admission to any bar, eighteen months of which must have been in the supervision of other attorneys, in an administrative, managerial or executive capacity, 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.
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.