NYC Jobs
Associate Counsel
The Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ) advises the Mayor of the City of New York on criminal justice policy. MOCJ develops and implements strategies, with partners inside and outside government, to reduce crime and incarceration and to promote fairness and legitimacy. MOCJ works with law enforcement, city agencies, non-profits, foundations, and others to implement data-driven strategies that address current crime conditions, prevent offending, and build the strong neighborhoods that ensure enduring safety. Under the supervision of the Deputy Director and the Senior Counsel(s) for Policy & Justice Operations for Policy, the Associate Counsel will assist in all policy and justice operations matters that affect MOCJ, including the planning, operationalizing, and execution of MOCJ policy initiatives and programs. The Associate Counsel must be an effective self-starter, possessing both the capacity for independence and the ability to work cooperatively to advance the goals of the administration. The associate counsel must be able to identify problems within the criminal justice system, propose potential solutions, foresee potential pitfalls, and build stakeholder consensus to implement solutions that improve the efficiency and fairness of our criminal justice system and criminal justice policy. An ideal candidate can understand and represent the viewpoints of various stakeholders in the criminal justice system. Experience in criminal litigation and an understanding of the stages of the criminal justice process in New York preferred. The Associate Counsel responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Liaising with senior staff of the city's criminal justice system, including the District Attorneys' Offices, Dept. of Correction, Dept. of Probation, Office of Court Administration, Police Dept., defense bar, and service providers to identify and address any inefficiencies, and resolve issues; Supporting Senior Counsel and Deputy Director of Policy and Justice Operations; Participating in the creation, development, and implementation of policies, procedures and programs on criminal justice legal matters with the various programs, offices, and initiatives across MOCJ; Researching and preparing document-intensive investigations, reports, and legal drafts on a tight schedule; Researching, initiating, developing, and executing policy projects, both with a team and individually; and Providing legal and operational guidance on complex questions of law, including the impacts of proposed legislation. 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: Experience working in the criminal justice system, particularly, in New York City, is preferred; Excellent organizational, time-management, and multi-tasking skills, including the ability to take initiative, problem solve, balance competing priorities, work independently and with teams in a fast-paced environment, pay close attention to detail, meet deadlines, and work well under pressure; Strong oral and written communication skills, including strong public speaking skills and proven ability to present the agency's position in meetings with high level officials and other governmental and private entities; Understanding of the organization and operation of the various stages of the criminal justice system, including the courts, pre-trial release, alternatives to incarceration, and/or the city and state correctional agencies also preferred; Extensive legal experience combined with being an effective self-starter, possessing both the capacity for independence and the ability to work cooperatively to advance the goals of the administration; Proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of entities from government agencies, other prosecutorial and regulatory bodies, and community organizations and; Effective and creative leadership ability with the capacity to work both independently and cooperatively to implement key strategies, evaluate new policies and analyze new legislation. 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, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.
The Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ) advises the Mayor of the City of New York on criminal justice policy. MOCJ develops and implements strategies, with partners inside and outside government, to reduce crime and incarceration and to promote fairness and legitimacy. MOCJ works with law enforcement, city agencies, non-profits, foundations, and others to implement data-driven strategies that address current crime conditions, prevent offending, and build the strong neighborhoods that ensure enduring safety. Under the supervision of the Deputy Director and the Senior Counsel(s) for Policy & Justice Operations for Policy, the Associate Counsel will assist in all policy and justice operations matters that affect MOCJ, including the planning, operationalizing, and execution of MOCJ policy initiatives and programs. The Associate Counsel must be an effective self-starter, possessing both the capacity for independence and the ability to work cooperatively to advance the goals of the administration. The associate counsel must be able to identify problems within the criminal justice system, propose potential solutions, foresee potential pitfalls, and build stakeholder consensus to implement solutions that improve the efficiency and fairness of our criminal justice system and criminal justice policy. An ideal candidate can understand and represent the viewpoints of various stakeholders in the criminal justice system. Experience in criminal litigation and an understanding of the stages of the criminal justice process in New York preferred. The Associate Counsel responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Liaising with senior staff of the city's criminal justice system, including the District Attorneys' Offices, Dept. of Correction, Dept. of Probation, Office of Court Administration, Police Dept., defense bar, and service providers to identify and address any inefficiencies, and resolve issues; Supporting Senior Counsel and Deputy Director of Policy and Justice Operations; Participating in the creation, development, and implementation of policies, procedures and programs on criminal justice legal matters with the various programs, offices, and initiatives across MOCJ; Researching and preparing document-intensive investigations, reports, and legal drafts on a tight schedule; Researching, initiating, developing, and executing policy projects, both with a team and individually; and Providing legal and operational guidance on complex questions of law, including the impacts of proposed legislation. 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: Experience working in the criminal justice system, particularly, in New York City, is preferred; Excellent organizational, time-management, and multi-tasking skills, including the ability to take initiative, problem solve, balance competing priorities, work independently and with teams in a fast-paced environment, pay close attention to detail, meet deadlines, and work well under pressure; Strong oral and written communication skills, including strong public speaking skills and proven ability to present the agency's position in meetings with high level officials and other governmental and private entities; Understanding of the organization and operation of the various stages of the criminal justice system, including the courts, pre-trial release, alternatives to incarceration, and/or the city and state correctional agencies also preferred; Extensive legal experience combined with being an effective self-starter, possessing both the capacity for independence and the ability to work cooperatively to advance the goals of the administration; Proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of entities from government agencies, other prosecutorial and regulatory bodies, and community organizations and; Effective and creative leadership ability with the capacity to work both independently and cooperatively to implement key strategies, evaluate new policies and analyze new legislation. 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, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.