Enhanced Legal Action Attorney

The NYC Department of Buildings is responsible for ensuring the safe and lawful use of buildings and properties by enforcing the NYC Construction Codes, Energy Code and Zoning Resolution. We facilitate compliant development with integrity, efficiency, and professionalism. We are committed to becoming a premier municipal building organization, dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for all New Yorkers and making our city safer. We are committed to improving our performance and developing procedures that are streamlined, understandable and transparent.

The Borough Enforcement Unit (BEU) is a legal code enforcement unit that prepares all criminal court cases and access warrant applications for the New York City Department of Buildings. BEU also liaises with the New York City Law Department on civil litigation and provides legal guidance to Agency personnel.

Under the supervision of the Senior Attorney, Enhanced Legal Action, with wide latitude to exercise independent initiative and judgment in collaboration with other members of the unit, the successful candidate will work on special proactive enforcement cases and projects with the Department’s Enforcement Bureau and other Department staff.

Duties include but are not limited to the following:
- Performing all areas of case management and legal duties, including initial and continuing research, designing an appropriate legal strategy, developing and overseeing a case tracking system, preparing and prosecuting cases or supporting hearings at the Environmental Control Board (ECB), Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH), Criminal Court, Supreme Court, or any other legal forum.
- Working with various Department staff to identify problem areas appropriate for enhanced enforcement, special cases, and programs.
- Working with Department staff to promote more effective enforcement and compliance. May include reviewing procedures, developing new standard operating procedures, performing statistical assessments, improving coordination and communication among staff, and performing enforcement-related training.
- Providing legal support to the Borough Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners, and staff regarding code interpretation, zoning, and other areas.
- Liaising with other City agencies on cases and projects.
- Rendering legal interpretations and providing legal advice, as appropriate, in consultation with supervisors and General Counsel’s office.

Minimum Qualifications

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.

Preferred Skills

- Demonstrated initiative, resourcefulness, ability to work independently and as part of a team on multiple assignments with minimal supervision.
- Experience with Building Code, Zoning, Multiple Dwelling Law, or land use law.
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office programs, Adobe Acrobat Pro, Westlaw, etc.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.
Residency Requirement

New York City Residency is not required for this position
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, ****** orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.