Attorney of Legal Support Unit for the Division of Tenant & Owner Resources

About the Agency:

The New York City Department of Housing Preservation Development (HPD) promotes quality and affordability in the city's housing, and diversity and strength in the city’s neighborhoods because every New Yorker deserves a safe, affordable place to live in a neighborhood they love.

- We maintain building and resident safety and health
- We create opportunities for New Yorkers through housing affordability
- We engage New Yorkers to build and sustain neighborhood strength and diversity.
________________________________________
Your Team:

At HPD, rent subsidy programs are administered by the Division of Tenant & Owner Resources (DTOR). HPD’s rental subsidies, including Section 8 or the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, provide funding to eligible low-income families for rental assistance toward decent, safe, and affordable housing in a neighborhood of their choice. Families pay approximately 30% of their income toward rent, and the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) pays the difference, directly to the owner. The unit must have a rent that is determined reasonable and affordable by HPD and must meet federal Housing Quality Standards (HQS) to be approved.

Your Impact:

HPD's Division of Tenant & Owner Resources (DTOR) is responsible for the administration of rental subsidy programs that include Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Project Based Voucher (PBV), Moderate Rehab Section 8, Moderate Rehab Single Room Occupancy (SRO), and Continuum of Care (CoC)-Shelter Plus Care (SPC) and NYC 15/15. Through these programs, HPD serves over 40,000 households and 9,000 landlords in all five boroughs. DTOR is responsible for the initial application screening; confirming eligibility requirements; briefing applicants; and issuing vouchers. DTOR also monitors tenant and landlord compliance of their obligations under each program and continues to administer the ongoing subsidies throughout their participation. These continued activities include processing annual and interim recertifications to update family income/assets, household composition, and rent amounts; tenant moves and transfers; approved rent increases; Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) abatements and reinstatements to enforce Housing Quality.

Your Role:

The Division of Tenant and Owner Resources (DTOR) Legal Support Unit reviews and recommends responses to Article 78 petitions, New York City Comptroller claims, Freedom of Information requests, reviews legal documents pertaining to legal guardianships, power of attorney and related documents, responds to complex subpoenas, appears in the Housing Part of the New York City Civil Court, responds, and assists with inquiries for eviction related matters and compliance with the rental subsidy programs, and conducts outreach. These activities require research of Federal, State and City statutes and case law that govern the rental subsidy programs and participation in policy decision committees.
As an Agency Attorney L-2, for the DTOR, Legal Support Unit, under the direction of the Director, with latitude for independent judgement, initiative and decision making, the selected candidate’s responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, the following:

Responsibilities:

- Review Article 78 petitions, prepare analysis and facts of the case, and recommend course of action
- Respond to NYC Comptroller claims
- Assist in preparing and editing legal arguments and documents, such as verified answers, memoranda, etc., in connection with legal proceedings before various courts
- Review and assist in preparing responses for subpoenas and appear in the Housing Part of New York Civil Court as needed
- Research legal issues relating to Section 8 federal regulations and New York State case law, recommend procedural and policy enhancements, and participate in program review and analysis
- Participate in standing program-wide review of complex issues and recommend solutions
- Review and approve legal documents pertaining to power-of-attorney, legal guardianship of adults and minors, and other legal family related documents
- Review inquiries and legal documents submitted by participants, applicants, landlords and attorneys recommend action to be taken, prepare responses and work on and monitor for resolution
- Conduct complex conferences with clients and attorneys and ensure compliance with conference agreements
- Manage and respond to Freedom of Information (FOIL) requests
- Redact records in response to FOIL requests
- Liaise with Agency attorneys, New York City litigation counsel and program experts
- Ensure compliance with HUD rules and regulations
- Monitor workflow for court cases, ensure compliance with deadlines, prepare reports and summaries of LSU workload
- Lead and/or work on special projects
- Represent the Director at DTOR meetings and with stakeholders in and outside the Agency

Preferred skills:
- Excellent writing, legal research, and analytical skills
o A writing sample will be requested at the time of the interview.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Computer knowledge (LexisNexis, Word, Excel and Access)
- Strong Organizational Skills
- Knowledge of Rental Subsidies or Section 8 Subsidy Preferred
- Ability to liaise with DTOR experts, HPD Programs, Agency and litigation counsel
- Bilingual a plus

Authorization to work in the United States is required for this position. The NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development does not provide sponsorship for international employees for visa applications, extensions, or status changes, including H-1B visas. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that they meet all qualifying requirements for this position at the time of application.

AGENCY ATTORNEY - 30087

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.

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.