Director of the Enforcement Unit, Office of General Counsel

The Office of General Counsel (OGC) provides legal support for the agency and its many public health functions serving more than 8 million New Yorkers. The Enforcement Unit is comprised of a subset of specialized attorneys within OGC who play a leading role in advancing the NYC Health Department's major public health enforcement initiatives. OGC is seeking an attorney to oversee the Enforcement Unit and handle administrative litigation that ensures citywide compliance with public health laws and regulations. The Enforcement Unit addresses some of the most urgent public health enforcement challenges facing New York City, including prosecuting childcare providers whose practices endanger children, enforcing food safety requirements at restaurants, issuing disease surveillance orders in connection with outbreaks, and ensuring that dog owners comply with recommended control measures following dangerous dog incidents. For example, enforcement Unit attorneys file administrative proceedings against holders of Department-issued licenses and permits. They also advise Department programs on compliance and enforcement procedures and participate in drafting and reviewing legislation that supports the Unit's work. The Enforcement Unit regularly coordinates with other city and state agencies. The attorney may also assist in liaising with these agencies and with the New York City Law Department on civil litigation matters.

Duties Will Include But Not Be Limited to:

The attorney would serve as the Director of the Enforcement Unit, reporting to the First Deputy General Counsel. Under general direction from the General Counsel and First Deputy General Counsel, the Director of the Enforcement Unit will oversee the Enforcement Unit and will:

• Represent the agency at hearings, conferences and trials before the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH).

This includes performing all areas of case management including but not limited to: 1) designing a case strategy; 2) preparing and serving petitions; 3) negotiating settlements; 4) preparing witness; and, 5) assembling evidence.

• Research and prepare briefs, appeals, orders, motions, legal opinions, memoranda and other legal papers related to enforcement cases.
• Receive and assess complaints with Department programs to determine if enforcement action is needed.
• Work with various Department programs to promote more effective enforcement and compliance and identify problem areas appropriate for enhanced enforcement or special initiatives.
• Become well-versed in Department program policies and regulations to provide input to the programs about processes that would strengthen enforcement cases.
• Liaise with Law Department, state and city agencies.
• Travel to courts, when needed in-person within New York City.
• Maintain sensitive and confidential information.
• Manage and distribute information accurately and appropriately.
• Monitor the workflow, ensuring compliance with deadlines, and preparing reports and summaries.
• Establish positive working relationships with co-workers and programs.
• Possess excellent research and writing skills
• Attend to other ad hoc projects and tasks, as needed or assigned to ensure the continuity of operations within OGC.

Preferred Skills:

• Strong written and oral advocacy skills with attention to detail.
• Knowledge of or interest in administrative or regulatory law.
• Ability to negotiate settlements with opposing counsel.
• Prior experience managing and training attorneys on administrative/OATH trials and hearings.
• Strong interpersonal, creative problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple cases and projects in a timely manner.
• Ability to use online legal research platforms such as Westlaw, CLEAR, and Lexis Nexis.
• Experience training other attorneys is a plus.
• Current working knowledge of Health Department procedures, policies and practices is a plus.
• Current knowledge or interest in public health matters is a plus.

Why you should work for us:

• Loan Forgiveness: As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal/state loan forgiveness and repayment assistance programs that lessen your payments or even fully forgive your full balance. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website (https://studentaid.gov/pslf/)
• Benefits: City employees are entitled to unmatched benefits such as: o a premium-free health insurance plan that saves employees over $10K annually, per a 2024 assessment. o additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position’s associated union/benefit fund. o a public sector defined benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement. o a tax-deferred savings program and o a robust Worksite Wellness Program that offers resources and opportunities to keep you healthy while serving New Yorkers.
• Work From Home Policy: Depending on your position, you may be able to work up to two days during the week from home.
• Job Security - you could enjoy more job security compared to private sector employment and be able to contribute to making NYC a healthy place to live and work.

Established in 1805, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health Department) is the oldest and largest health department in the U.S., dedicated to protecting and improving the health of NYC. Our mission is to safeguard the health of every resident and cultivate a city where everyone, regardless of age, background, or location, can achieve their optimal health. We provide a wide array of programs and services focused on food and nutrition, anti-tobacco support, chronic disease prevention, HIV/AIDS treatment, family and child health, environmental health, mental health, and social justice initiatives. As the primary population health strategist and policy authority for NYC, with a rich history of public health initiatives and scientific advancements, from addressing the 1822 yellow fever outbreak to the COVID-19 pandemic, we serve as a global leader in public health innovation and expertise.

Come join us and help to continue our efforts in making a difference in the lives of all New Yorkers! Commitment to Equity: 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.

The NYC Health Department is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation to all individuals. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact Sye-Eun Ahn, Director of the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, at sahn1@health.nyc.gov or 347-396-6549.

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.

Residency Requirement

New York City Residency is not required for this position