Executive Director of Environmental Health Legal

Duties

Guide EH rulemaking, including by interpreting newly enacted legislation and analyzing operational implications; collaborate with OGC on drafting and finalizing proposed amendments to the New York City Health Code and agency regulations.

Initiate data-driven, policy assessment of administrative hearing outcomes, efficacy of enforcement, and citation strategies.

Evaluate impact of regulatory change, legislative initiatives on Divisional programs.

Act as primary liaison with OATH for operational, data access and legal issues, and provide oversight for EH hearing appearances.

Manage EH administrative hearings appeals process, including review of affirmative appeals, answering respondent appeals, and strategic use of appeals process to support specific program initiatives.

Supervise 2 EH lawyers and the Division Hearing and Regulatory Coordinator, providing legal and project direction and oversight.

Manage tracking system for prioritization and efficient completion of EH Legal projects.

Assisting with legal emergency preparedness and response work.

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 with multiple simultaneous initiatives.
• Previous supervision of legal staff.
• 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 systems 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.

Why you should work for us

• Benefits: City employees are entitled to unmatched benefits such as:
  • a premium-free health insurance plan that saves employees over $10K annually, per a 2024 assessment.
  • 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 and
  • 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.
• The NYC Health Department is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation to all individuals.

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.
• Job ID: 779678
• Posted until: 2026-08-30
• Title code: 95005
• Civil service title: EXECUTIVE AGENCY COUNSEL
• Title classification: Non-Competitive-5
• Business title: Executive Director of Environmental Health Legal
• Executive
• Job level: M1
• Number of positions: 1
• Work location: 125 Worth Street, Nyc