Position Summary : Under the direction of the Executive Deputy Counsel for Litigation Management, Employment and Program Support and the General Counsel of the New York City Public Schools (NYCPS), the Assistant Deputy Counsel supervises multiple workstreams in the General Practice Unit (GPU), including leading legal support for the Division of Early Childhood Education (DECE). The Assistant Deputy Counsel engages in difficult and complex legal work having significant financial, procedural, or policy consequences for the NYCPS, and provides legal advice and interpretation on various issues to administrators throughout the NYCPS. Performs related work.
Reports to: Executive Deputy Counsel for Litigation Management, Employment and Program Support
Direct Reports: Agency Attorneys
Key Relationships: General Practice Unit attorneys, Division of Early Childhood Education, Office of Student Enrollment, Office of District Planning, Senior Field Counsel, Office of Labor Relations, Commercial Unit, Division of Contracts and Purchasing, other Central Offices and City Law Department.
Responsibilities - Advises on federal, state, and local laws governing operations of NYCPS initiatives, such as funding of early childhood education programs.
- Provides time-sensitive guidance to multiple NYCPS program offices, such as DECE and the Office of Student Enrollment, on escalations to mitigate risk, help resolve health and safety issues, and address reporting obligations, compliance, corrective action, reasonable accommodations, and community concerns.
- Supports high-level NYCPS administrative staff in the development of significant educational policy initiatives, including review of policy documents, handbooks, and guidance.
- Partners with the Commercial Unit and Division of Contracts and Purchasing to review contracts, solicitations, and communications related to early childhood and other programs.
- Liaises with the City Law Department to manage NYCPS response, strategy, negotiation, and resolution to litigations and administrative complaints concerning employment, early childhood disputes, and other student related claims.
- Represents NYCPS in administrative proceedings before the City Commission on Human Rights, the State Division of Human Rights, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.
- Supports NYCPS public comments on, and development of, proposed legislative amendments.
- Supervises GPU attorneys and coordinates with attorneys in other OGC units to provide support to program offices, obtain targeted guidance, and strategize for litigation.
- Manages projects such as the revision of Chancellor's Regulations.
- Corresponds and/or reviews correspondence with elected and appointed officials, attorneys, community organizations, press inquiries, and members of the public on behalf of the OGC.
Qualification Requirements: Minimum 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, of which eighteen months must have been in the supervision of other attorneys, in an administrative, managerial or executive capacity, or performing complex legal work. Note: Incumbents must remain Members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of this employment.
Preferred - Ability to communicate effectively with Central Offices and leadership on sensitive matters.
- Ability to exercise strong judgment in engagement with leadership and external partners.
- Experience with litigation, contracts, compliance, and policy.
- Ability to rapidly understand law and regulations and determine applicability.
- Ability to mentor and train attorneys across multiple areas of practice.
- Ability to write clearly and concisely.
- Ability to conduct legal research efficiently.
Salary : $145,000 - $160,000
(Internal candidates who are selected for this position and who currently hold comparable or less senior positions within the DOE will not earn less than their current salary.)
Please include a resume and cover letter with your application. NOTE: The filling of all positions is subject to budget availability and/or grant funding. * New York City Residency is NOT Required * We encourage all applicants from the New York City tri-state area to apply. 
