General Counsel, Office of General Counsel

Reporting directly to Commissioner of Health, the General Counsel is the New York City Health Department’s chief legal officer who advises the Commissioner, agency leadership and staff on legal questions, obligations and legal strategy for initiatives and policy under consideration. The General Counsel also acts as liaison to the New York City Law Department and serves as Counsel to the New York City Board of Health.

The General Counsel oversees a team that handles the myriad legal issues that arise daily across the agency such as: review of proposed city, state and federal legislation and regulations; development of proposals to the Board of Health to amend the Health Code; drafting and reviewing of contracts and other agreements; prosecution of administrative actions to suspend or revoke agency permits and licenses; review of litigation strategy and related documents and, when necessary, assisting with drafting papers for litigation; and responding to Freedom of Information Law requests and appeals.

The Office of the General Counsel includes the following units:

Legal Affairs provides legal advice and strategy to leadership and bureau directors on a wide range of topics, including providing legal support for new policies and programs; responds to requests for legal from the Department’s employees.; drafts and reviews proposed changes to the New York City Health Code and Commissioner regulations;

Privacy Unit is responsible for preserving the security of the agency’s confidential data and managing the agency’s compliance with privacy laws and regulations;

Employee Law Unit investigates and prosecutes allegations of misconduct involving employees working for DOHMH, OCME and DFTA, handles fitness for duty cases pursuant to Section 72 of the Civil Service Law, and is DOHMH’s liaison to the Conflicts of Interest Board; the Contract Unit;

Institutional Review Board which has a mission to protect the rights and welfare of human subjects who participate in research activities conducted under the jurisdiction of DOHMH.

Contracts Unit manages agency’s contract development, review and negotiation with contractors over delivery of services/goods to the agency; and

Assisted Outpatient Treatment Unit oversees implementation of Kendra’s Law to people in need of mental health services.

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE, BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

- Advise the Commissioner and the Executive team on legal matters related to the agency; serving as principal legal advisor to Commissioner of Health.

- Participate in strategic public health policy discussions and providing legal guidance and advice to further the public health agenda for the agency.

- Provide legal guidance on federal, state, and local public health laws, including disease prevention, emergency preparedness, data privacy, health equity, and regulatory compliance.

- Ensure formulation and development of Department and Board of Health policy proposals are consistent with legal requirements.

- Advance the agency efforts in addressing health equity and racial justice

- Oversee compliance with federal, state, and local laws as well as relevant regulations

- Manage litigation, disputes, investigations and response to regulatory inquiries, in partnership with NYC Law Department

- Provide oversight of the day-to-day operations for the Office of the General Counsel, including direct supervision of deputy general counsels.

- Work closely with the Law Department in matters involving litigation and other legal matters.

- Serve as primary agency liaison to the Law Department, Department of Investigations, and other city, state and federal agencies on legal matters.

- Ensure the agency’s responsiveness to Freedom of Information Law requests.

- Represent the agency at external meetings with City Hall, elected officials, community-based organization and others as requested by the Commissioner.

- Stay current on evolving laws, regulations, and court decisions affecting public health practice and administration.

Preferred Skills

- JD from an accredited law school, member in good standing of a New York State Bar.
- Minimum of 10 years of legal experience, including five years in government, nonprofit or healthcare/public health law. Experience in providing executive level counsel in a large organization a plus
- Experience in public health, healthcare, and/or knowledge of health law strongly desired;
- Exceptional communication, interpersonal and writing skills; ability communicate complex legal concepts in a clear and straightforward way for non-legal staff;
- Demonstrated commitment to advancing health equity and supporting racial justice
- Creative thinker with proven track record using the law in innovative ways to protect and promote public health.
- Demonstrated ability influencing cross-functional decisions and managing an array of stakeholders
- Proven leadership and the ability to demonstrate history of successful management of attorneys and legal support staff;
- Team player, with experience working collaboratively, building relationships at all levels of an organization;
- Ability to deal with multiple and changing demands in a fast-paced environment.

Why you should work for us:

- Loan Forgiveness: As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal/state loan forgiveness and repayment assistance programs that lessen your payments or even fully forgive your full balance. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website (https://studentaid.gov/pslf/)
- Benefits: City employees are entitled to unmatched benefits such as:
o a premium-free health insurance plan that saves employees over $10K annually, per a 2024 assessment.
o additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position’s associated union/benefit fund.
o a public sector defined benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement.
o a tax-deferred savings program and
o a robust Worksite Wellness Program that offers resources and opportunities to keep you healthy while serving New Yorkers.
- Work From Home Policy: Depending on your position, you may be able to work up to two days during the week from home.
- Job Security - you could enjoy more job security compared to private sector employment and be able to contribute to making NYC a healthy place to live and work.

Established in 1805, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health Department) is the oldest and largest health department in the U.S., dedicated to protecting and improving the health of NYC. Our mission is to safeguard the health of every resident and cultivate a city where everyone, regardless of age, background, or location, can achieve their optimal health. We provide a wide array of programs and services focused on food and nutrition, anti-tobacco support, chronic disease prevention, HIV/AIDS treatment, family and child health, environmental health, mental health, and social justice initiatives. As the primary population health strategist and policy authority for NYC, with a rich history of public health initiatives and scientific advancements, from addressing the 1822 yellow fever outbreak to the COVID-19 pandemic, we serve as a global leader in public health innovation and expertise.

Come join us and help to continue our efforts in making a difference in the lives of all New Yorkers!

The NYC Health Department is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation to all individuals. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact Sye-Eun Ahn, Director of the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, at [email protected] or 347-396-6549.

EXECUTIVE AGENCY COUNSEL - 95005

Admission to the New York State Bar; and four years of recent full-time responsible, relevant, satisfactory legal experience subsequent to admission to any bar, eighteen months of which must have been in the supervision of other attorneys, in an administrative, managerial or executive capacity, or performing highly complex and significant legal work.

Incumbents must remain Members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of this employment.

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.