Agency Attorney, Bureau of Environmental Surveillance and Policy

The Bureau of Environmental Surveillance and Policy (BESP) in EH works to ground Health Department programs and policy in science and law to support a healthy and equitable natural, built, and occupational environment for all New Yorkers. We promote environmental health through legal and data-driven program support, using innovative methods to track environmental determinants of health with a focus on New Yorkers disproportionately impacted by environmental risk. We share data and research findings to encourage evidence-based decision making, and partner with communities in community science and outreach to address stakeholder concerns and empower residents. The Bureau of Environmental Surveillance and Policy (BESP) seeks to hire a lawyer to serve as Division Counsel on the Environmental Health Legal team (EH Legal). BESP's mission is to ground Health Department programs and policy in science and law to support healthy and equitable natural, built, and occupational environments for all New Yorkers. We promote environmental health through legal and data-driven program support, using innovative methods to tract environmental determinants of health with a focus on New Yorkers disproportionately impacted by environmental risks. EH Legal supports the diverse legal needs of the Division’s regulatory, enforcement and policy initiatives, collaborating with division leadership and the agency’s Office of General Counsel (OGC).

Reporting to the Executive Director of EH Legal, the Division Counsel will work on multiple legal and policy projects with a focus area of food safety, supporting the division’s regulatory and enforcement of restaurants and mobile food vendors. The Division Counsel will advise inspectional program leadership and staff regarding enforcement actions and prosecuting civil summons at administrative hearings at the Office of Administrative Hearings and Tribunals, among other responsibilities under the direction of the executive director. We seek a public-interest lawyer dedicated to use of the law to protect and promote the health of all New Yorkers.

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:

- Support the Bureau of Food Safety and Community Sanitation (BFSCS) on legal matters regarding the restaurant and mobile food vending expanded regulation and enforcement, under the direction of the executive director

- Represent the Department in hearings before the OATH Hearings Division.

- Support inspectors and other staff members, including providing training, in appearing effectively at hearings.

- Draft and file appeals of OATH Hearings Division decisions and respond to respondent appeals.

- Review and analyze Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) Hearings Division decisions and appellate rulings; develop and recommend strategies to improve adjudication outcomes

- Advise the BFSCS on enforcing applicable laws and regulations. Draft policies, procedures and guidance documents, and train program staff, as needed.

- Draft, revise and review agency regulations or legal guidance documents as needed to promote public health, working collaboratively with EH Legal Team and General Counsel staff.

- Draft violations, orders, settlement agreements and other legal documents issued to regulated people or entities.

- Support, coordinate, or lead legal research into equity and climate reviews of the Health Code, as well as investigation of similar e forts in other jurisdictions.

PREFERRED SKILLS:

- Motivated legal thinker with demonstrated sound judgment, attention to detail, and analytic skills who thrives in a fast-paced environment.

- Excellent written and oral communication skills for both legal and lay audiences, e.g., comfortable writing legal memos, guidance documents for a regulated community, and fact sheets for the general public.

- Strong organizational abilities with demonstrated project management skills.

- Experience in environmental health and public health, as well as administrative hearing, code enforcement and regulatory experience in a public, non-profit or academic setting.

- Experience with OATH rules and administrative court procedures.

- Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment and collaborate with both legal partners and program or other collaborators not versed in legal procedures and language.

- Experience in environmental justice and health equity.

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 [email protected] or 347-396-6549.

AGENCY ATTORNEY - 30087

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.

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.