Staff Counsel

**This position may be eligible for remote work for up to 2 days per week, pursuant to the Remote Work Pilot Program. **
The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) protects and enhances the daily economic lives of New Yorkers to create thriving communities. DCWP licenses more than 45,000 businesses in more than 40 industries and enforces key consumer protection, licensing, and workplace laws that apply to countless more. By supporting businesses through equitable enforcement and access to resources and, by helping to resolve complaints, DCWP protects the marketplace from predatory practices and strives to create a culture of compliance. Through its community outreach and the work of its offices of Financial Empowerment and Labor Policy & Standards, DCWP empowers consumers and working families by providing the tools and resources they need to be educated consumers and to achieve financial health and work-life balance. DCWP also conducts research and advocates for public policy that furthers its work to support New York City’s communities. For more information about DCWP and its work, call 311 or visit DCWP at nyc.gov/dcwp or on its social media sites, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
DCWP’s General Counsel Division is seeking an experienced professional to serve as Staff Counsel in the Legal Counsel Unit. The Legal Counsel Unit is responsible for providing advice and counsel to DCWP divisions, providing legal support to implement new laws, advising on complex multi-stakeholder license categories, and drafting DCWP contracts and agreements.
The Staff Counsel will focus on providing advice and counsel related to the development and implementation of youth financial empowerment programs. This work will include providing program counsel to the Department’s Office of Financial Empowerment, as well as reviewing, drafting and managing legal aspects of related contracts. The Staff Counsel will perform other functions, as necessary, within the Legal Counsel Unit. Under the supervision of the General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, and Associate General Counsel, the Staff Counsel will:

• Provide advice and counsel to all DCWP Divisions, but primarily DCWP’s Office of Financial Empowerment, on the development and implementation of new programs focused on youth financial empowerment
• Interact regularly with internal stakeholders across multiple DCWP Divisions, ensuring that all contracting processes are followed, including obtaining and documenting all necessary approvals required in connection with each contract.
• Work with the ACCO and the DCWP Procurement staff to ensure that all publicly funded contracts follow proper processes, including the Procurement Policy Board Rules and PASSPort, the City’s contract review portal.
• Develop, assess and negotiate contract terms, especially those involving intellectual property, privacy, and consulting, for all DCWP Divisions, but primarily DCWP’s Office of Financial Empowerment.
• Ensure consistency of contract terms with DCWP’s policies and goals.
• Draft Memoranda of Understanding between DCWP and other City agencies and public entities.
• Review Request for Proposals and draft Mayor’s Fund contracts for privately funded projects.
• Perform other functions, as necessary, within the Legal Counsel Unit, including:
• assisting with implementing new and amended laws, including drafting rules in accordance with the City’s rulemaking process, and drafting DCWP charges, checklists, and penalty schedules necessary to implement and enforce such laws;
• researching and addressing legal issues arising from DCWP’s licensing, collections and enforcement work;
• drafting memoranda, correspondence and other legal documents as necessary.

As needed, the Staff Counsel may occasionally bring charges against businesses at the NYC Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH), and/or draft denial or revocation letters for applicants or licensees in certain license categories. In connection with these matters, and others, the Staff Counsel may negotiate and draft settlement agreements for civil penalties and consumer restitution.
The ideal candidate for this position has contract drafting and review experience, involving both public and private funding sources; and a desire to use legal skills in a non-litigating manner. The candidate will be responsible for these functions, as well as for special projects and assignments related to consumer or licensee issues or to DCWP’s operations. In addition, as part of these functions, the Staff Counsel is responsible for careful case project management and operational tasks necessary to support and effectuate this work.

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