Assistant General Counsel - ELU, Bureau of Office of General Counsel

About the role

The Employment Law Unit (ELU) of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health Department) seeks an Assistant General Counsel to handle disciplinary matters and fitness for duty cases for non-managerial employees. ELU also serves as the NYC Health Department’s liaison to the Conflicts of Interest Board and advises on Chapter 68 and other conflicts of interest matters.

Responsibilities

• Conduct legal research
• Draft disciplinary petitions and documents
• Attend meetings with staff and union representatives to mediate cases for resolution in early stages
• Assist ELU Deputy Director with counseling Agency managers and strategizing outcome options
• Appear in litigation and assist with advocating for resolutions in the best interest of the City
• Prepare evidence and documents for use in disciplinary cases
• Draft settlement agreements
• Appear in administrative venues via videoconference and in person at the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings, Office of Labor Relations, and the Civil Service Commission
• Present training with slides to supervisory staff on the concept of progressive discipline and its relation to the administrative disciplinary process
• Draft Chapter 68 Waiver requests to COIB
• Perform other duties as requested by the Office of General Counsel

Requirements

• JD from an accredited law school, member in good standing of the New York State Bar, or registered to sit for July 2026 Bar Exam
• Conflict resolution, mediation, ADR, and/or critical thinking college or law school course completion
• Clear writing ability for extensive internal and external communications
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing health equity and supporting racial justice
• Excellent communication skills, including emotional intelligence and connections building with external stakeholders

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: Graduation from an accredited United States law school as defined in the Rules of the New York Court of Appeals (Sections 520.3 or 520.5) or admission to the New York State Bar. Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

Benefits

• A premium-free health insurance plan that saves employees over $10K annually
• Additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position’s associated union/benefit fund
• A public sector defined benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement
• A tax-deferred savings program
• 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.

Agency Information

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.

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, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.