Senior Counsel for Commercial Regulatory and Legislative Affairs

Job Description

The New York City Department of Correction (DOC) is an integral part of the City’s evolving criminal justice system, participating in reform initiatives and strategies aimed to move the City towards a smaller jail system without compromising public safety. The DOC is responsible for maintaining a safe and secure environment for staff, visitors, volunteers, and people in our custody. Importantly, safe jails enable DOC to provide people in custody with the tools and opportunities they need to successfully re-enter their communities. The DOC operates facilities and court commands across the five boroughs with more than 7,500 diverse professionals and knowledge experts.

The DOC is seeking a qualified candidate to fill an executive vacancy for Executive Agency Counsel, M-III. Under the executive direction of the Deputy Commissioner, Legal Matters, with wide latitude for independent judgment, action and decision making, the Executive Agency Counsel serves as a key legal and policy advisor on all legal, policy, operational and administrative issues impacting the Department and assists in the management, supervision and administration of the Legal Division, which consists of attorneys, administrative support personnel and uniformed members of service. The position also includes providing counsel, making recommendations, and formulating policy on many complex and sensitive legal issues and procedures as they affect the Department. The Executive Agency Counsel serves as a legal advisor to the Executive Staff and the Department on the broad range of issues affecting the Department, and serves as a liaison to other Federal, State, and local government agencies, including the New York City Law Department, state and federal prosecutors, and the courts.

The Executive Agency Counsel will assist with the management and oversight of the Legal Division and may be called upon to represent the Department in various types of legal proceedings. Tasks will include but are not limited to the following:

- May represent the General Counsel at meetings with other public and private agencies,
contractors and legislative bodies.
- Directly supervise attorneys and administrative support personnel of the units which fall under the
office of the General Counsel. Coordinate the activities of these units; set goals, objectives and
priorities for each unit.
- Participate in formulating agency-wide policy as well as the policies and procedures governing the
Office of the General Counsel and the Department. Review new and established procedure to
ensure compliance with existing laws, regulations and guidelines set by the Federal, State and
City authorities.
- Work directly with the most senior personnel in the Department to prepare contracts and advise
the Department on complex procurement and business affairs. Supervise the drafting of standard
contract forms, stipulations, affidavits, memorandum of understandings, as well as the drafting of
special contracts. May participate in contract negotiations.
- Advise on and/or oversee regulatory and legislative developments affecting the Department and,
in conjunction with Executive Staff, prepare a legislative and regulatory agenda for the
Department, including all materials necessary to support or oppose the passage of new initiatives
affecting correctional matters in the State legislature, City Council, NYC Board of Correction and NY
State Commission on Correction. Advise the General Counsel concerning proposed legislative
changes, including developing legal arguments supporting proposals sponsored by the agency.
- Establish a system of managerial controls to monitor performance. Make summary reports
to executive management. Is responsible for the analysis and resolution of legal queries and
issues, including, but not limited to, the amendment and implementation of Department Policies and
counseling various personnel in the agency with regard to the preparation and drafting of internal
directives and policy statements necessary to effectively govern Departmental affairs.

The candidate’s specific responsibilities regarding contracts and procurement will include assisting in drafting and reviewing procurement documents, including Requests for Proposals (RFP) and the resulting contracts Competitive Sealed Bid (CSB) specifications, Sole Source, Negotiated Acquisition and Intergovernmental agreements and ensuring that the agency’s procurements are in compliance with rules and regulations. The candidate will also be responsible for advising DOC staff on contract administration issues, including change orders, contract language interpretations, performance ratings, dispute resolution and contract assignments, and drafting and reviewing memoranda of understanding and miscellaneous agree