Assistant Deputy Counsel, General Practice Unit, OGC - 26902

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), this role 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 handles complex legal matters with significant financial, procedural, or policy implications for NYCPS and provides legal advice to administrators across the system.

Responsibilities

• Advises on federal, state, and local laws governing NYCPS initiatives, such as funding of early childhood education programs.
• Provides time-sensitive guidance to multiple NYCPS program offices (e.g., DECE, Office of Student Enrollment) on escalations to mitigate risk, resolve health and safety issues, and address reporting obligations, compliance, corrective action, reasonable accommodations, and community concerns.
• Supports high-level NYCPS administrative staff in developing 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 of 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.

Requirements

• Admission to the New York State Bar.
• 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.
• Must remain a Member of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to communicate effectively with Central Offices and leadership on sensitive matters.
• 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.
• Clear and concise writing skills.
• Efficient legal research skills.

Pay

$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.)