Deputy Commissioner & Senior Legal Officer

The Agency You’ll Join: The New York City Mayor’s Office is responsible for overseeing city services throughout the five boroughs, coordinating public agencies and departments, and managing public property. The administration is leading the fight in making the city more affordable, reducing inequality, improving public safety, ensuring delivery of efficient and effective services, and working to make New York City’s economy stronger. We value leadership, transparency, fairness, and efficiency as we actively seek diverse talents from various sectors to join our team. For current job opportunities, visit our careers page.

The Team You’ll Work With: For half a century, the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) has been the liaison between the New York City government and the disability community. In partnership with City offices and agencies, MOPD ensures City initiatives, programs, and policies address the needs and interests of people with disabilities. The office regularly engages in advocacy and policymaking at the local, state, national, and international levels to make certain accessibility and full inclusion are key priorities for all public and private stakeholders alike.

The Problems You’ll Solve:

• Advise the Commissioner in the decision-making process and strategic planning for the office.
• As needed, join or represent the Commissioner on high-level conversations and meetings internally and externally.
• Lead the strategic planning for MOPD for the next 5 years, incorporating both the program and impact side of the office.
• Manage the implementation of AccessibleNYC, the 5-Year Accessibility Plan, by city agencies and other enacted laws and regulations from local, state, and federal laws.
• Perform legal research and provide legal briefs to the Commissioner, Law Department, and Chief Counsel regarding any significant disability issues.
• Review from the legal lens the Commissioner’s testimony to the NYC Council, State bodies, and federal agencies.
• Assist with litigation or legal complaints from the local, state, or federal level that impact people with disabilities or MOPD in particular.
• Oversee the Strategic Engagement Director, supporting and collaborating with local and national organizations on disability justice and adjunct fields.
• Oversee staff on the public realm, including but not limited to accessible streets, sidewalks, plazas, and parks.
• Active participation in MOPD Executive and Leadership meetings.
• Represent MOPD at the Law Department and the Chief Counsel meetings.
• Back-up timekeeper.
• Perform other duties as needed.

About You:

• You have strong oral and written communication skills.
• You have exceptional project management skills, with experience in planning, implementing, and managing projects involving diverse stakeholders.
• You can work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• You have excellent analytical, quantitative, problem-solving, and creative thinking abilities.

Minimum Required Qualifications:

• Juris Doctorate is required.
• 10+ years of experience.
• Admission to the New York State Bar.

Additional Information

• In addition to the resume, a cover letter is required to apply.

Minimum 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.

Preferred Skills

• You have experience in City government.

Residency Requirement

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of the interview.