NYC Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP)
Litigation Support Counsel
NYC Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP), New York, New York, us, 10261
Overview
The NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) enriches the environment and protects public health for all New Yorkers by providing 1.1 billion gallons of high-quality drinking water, managing wastewater and stormwater, and reducing air, noise, and hazardous materials pollution. DEP is the largest combined municipal water and wastewater utility in the country, with nearly 6,000 employees. DEP's water supply system is comprised of 19 reservoirs and 3 controlled lakes throughout the system’s 2,000 square mile watershed that extends 125 miles north and west of the City.
The Bureau of Legal Affairs (BLA) is the in-house counsel to DEP. The work of the Bureau is managed by four units: Environmental Affairs Unit, Water Supply & Environmental Litigation Unit, Contracts & Employment Unit, and Infrastructure & Operations Unit. The Bureau ensures the agency’s legal needs are addressed in coordination with the New York City Law Department, which represents the agency in litigation. The BLA seeks a Litigation Support Counsel to support the Litigation Support Unit within the Infrastructure & Operations Unit.
Responsibilities
For Tort-related work: direct the work of the Litigation Support Unit’s staff; coordinate with DEP personnel to implement and revise protocols for searching and compiling electronic and hardcopy records; perform data mapping; track matters by function; identify witnesses, coordinate witness appearances, and provide guidance to witnesses in depositions and trial; respond to subpoenas; implement evidence preservation policies; and provide counsel regarding affirmative claims relating to damage to DEP infrastructure. Compile and report metrics for the Unit's functions. Work with DEP bureaus and offices to coordinate litigation support with operations and policies (e.g., Water and Sewer Operations, Records and Archives Management, Information Technology).
For The Bureau of Customer Services (BCS)-related work: assist in reviewing and editing trial court and appellate pleadings in collection litigation, Article 78 proceedings, bankruptcy, foreclosure and other litigation arising from BCS operations; participate in settlement negotiations; advise BCS on legal and policy issues related to procedures, notices, and customer communications; advise on submitting and processing claims related to unpaid water and wastewater charges on properties in bankruptcy or subject to foreclosure; facilitate and provide legal advice in responding to discovery requests, subpoenas, and FOIL requests; track BCS-related litigation.
Occasional travel, within New York City and possibly upstate to DEP facilities.
Minimum Qualifications
Admission to the New York State Bar; and either one year of satisfactory United States legal experience after admission or six months of satisfactory service as an Agency Attorney Intern (30086).
Incumbents must remain members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of employment.
Additional Qualifications and Assignment Levels To be assigned to Assignment Level II, candidates must have one year of experience at Assignment Level I or two years of comparable legal experience after admission to the bar. To be assigned to Assignment Level III, candidates must have two years of experience at Assignment Levels I and II or three years of comparable legal experience after admission to the bar.
Preferred Skills
Prior litigation experience focused on torts, including discovery practice and drafting pleadings.
Experience in one or more of: (i) collections, Article 78, bankruptcy or foreclosure litigation; (ii) supervising non-attorney staff; (iii) records management and data compilation and analysis (Excel skills); (iv) strong organizational and communication skills and ability to build collaborative relationships across the Agency and with the Law Department; (v) multitasking and prioritizing a large and varying caseload.
Additional Information
Public Service Loan Forgiveness information is available at studentaid.gov/pslf.
Residency: New York City residency is not required for this position.
Equal Opportunity Employer: The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment free from discrimination or harassment based on legally protected status or characteristic.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
The Bureau of Legal Affairs (BLA) is the in-house counsel to DEP. The work of the Bureau is managed by four units: Environmental Affairs Unit, Water Supply & Environmental Litigation Unit, Contracts & Employment Unit, and Infrastructure & Operations Unit. The Bureau ensures the agency’s legal needs are addressed in coordination with the New York City Law Department, which represents the agency in litigation. The BLA seeks a Litigation Support Counsel to support the Litigation Support Unit within the Infrastructure & Operations Unit.
Responsibilities
For Tort-related work: direct the work of the Litigation Support Unit’s staff; coordinate with DEP personnel to implement and revise protocols for searching and compiling electronic and hardcopy records; perform data mapping; track matters by function; identify witnesses, coordinate witness appearances, and provide guidance to witnesses in depositions and trial; respond to subpoenas; implement evidence preservation policies; and provide counsel regarding affirmative claims relating to damage to DEP infrastructure. Compile and report metrics for the Unit's functions. Work with DEP bureaus and offices to coordinate litigation support with operations and policies (e.g., Water and Sewer Operations, Records and Archives Management, Information Technology).
For The Bureau of Customer Services (BCS)-related work: assist in reviewing and editing trial court and appellate pleadings in collection litigation, Article 78 proceedings, bankruptcy, foreclosure and other litigation arising from BCS operations; participate in settlement negotiations; advise BCS on legal and policy issues related to procedures, notices, and customer communications; advise on submitting and processing claims related to unpaid water and wastewater charges on properties in bankruptcy or subject to foreclosure; facilitate and provide legal advice in responding to discovery requests, subpoenas, and FOIL requests; track BCS-related litigation.
Occasional travel, within New York City and possibly upstate to DEP facilities.
Minimum Qualifications
Admission to the New York State Bar; and either one year of satisfactory United States legal experience after admission or six months of satisfactory service as an Agency Attorney Intern (30086).
Incumbents must remain members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of employment.
Additional Qualifications and Assignment Levels To be assigned to Assignment Level II, candidates must have one year of experience at Assignment Level I or two years of comparable legal experience after admission to the bar. To be assigned to Assignment Level III, candidates must have two years of experience at Assignment Levels I and II or three years of comparable legal experience after admission to the bar.
Preferred Skills
Prior litigation experience focused on torts, including discovery practice and drafting pleadings.
Experience in one or more of: (i) collections, Article 78, bankruptcy or foreclosure litigation; (ii) supervising non-attorney staff; (iii) records management and data compilation and analysis (Excel skills); (iv) strong organizational and communication skills and ability to build collaborative relationships across the Agency and with the Law Department; (v) multitasking and prioritizing a large and varying caseload.
Additional Information
Public Service Loan Forgiveness information is available at studentaid.gov/pslf.
Residency: New York City residency is not required for this position.
Equal Opportunity Employer: The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment free from discrimination or harassment based on legally protected status or characteristic.
#J-18808-Ljbffr