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, Infrastructure and Operations Unit business attorneys work cooperatively with DEP’s operations bureaus to support the agency in maintaining its facilities and infrastructure throughout the City and upstate, DEP executive staff to further the agency’s goals in coordination with mayoral agencies and public partners, and various governmental agencies at all levels. The unit is extensively involved with agency and city-wide initiatives, including constructing green infrastructure and establishing resiliency of agency operations in an effort to combat the effects of climate change. In addition, the unit supports the agency’s sewer and water regulatory permitting role through the interpretation of laws and regulations and review of required legal documentation.
The unit is seeking to hire an Assistant Attorney who will work under Senior Counsel for Infrastructure and Operations. The Assistant Attorney, with latitude for independent judgment and decision-making, will handle and provide legal advice on critical property issues; a variety of procurement matters and contracts, including but not limited to technology, facility services, non-disclosure, and inter/intra municipal agreements; regulatory permitting matters; and legislation. Such candidate will be required to undertake diverse complicated projects requiring strong analytical, writing and client relations skills; extensive experience in conducting legal research; and the ability to multitask.
In addition, the attorney will interface with DEP bureau and executive staff, consultants, and other government agencies, as well as liaise with the City’s Law Department in connection with property and procurement matters and other legal issues.

Minimum Qualifications

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.

Preferred Skills

Minimum of five (5) years of full-time responsible, relevant, satisfactory legal experience with municipal transactions and procurement is preferred. Excellent legal research, writing, analytical and oral communication skills. Ability to multitask without sacrificing quality and to function well in a fast-paced environment.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/

Residency Requirement

New York City residency is not required for this position.

Additional Information

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.