AGENCY ATTORNEY

About the position

The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) keeps New York City healthy, safe, and clean by collecting, recycling, and disposing of waste, cleaning City streets and vacant lots, and clearing snow and ice. DSNY is the nation's largest municipal sanitation agency, with nearly 10,000 employees, 59 district garages, and a fleet of more than 5,000 trucks, cars, and other types of equipment. The Department clears litter, snow, and ice from approximately 6,500 miles of City streets and removes debris from vacant lots as well as abandoned vehicles from City streets. Under direction, with wide latitude for independent judgment and decision making, engages in detailed and complex legal work having significant procedural or policy consequences.

Responsibilities

• Work on environmental reviews for DSNY actions and helping to ensure that DSNY actions comply with City Environmental Quality Review (CEQR) guidelines and State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) requirements.
• Providing legal advice to Department staff on all aspects of environmental laws as they apply to the Department, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, RCRA and State laws and rules governing the handling of solid waste regulations, orders and legal decisions impacting DSNY.
• Working with the Law Department on environmental compliance issues and environmental litigation challenges to Department actions.
• Drafting memos interpreting relevant environmental laws, regulations, orders and legal decisions.
• Work on rulemaking and statutory drafting and provide advice on issues relating to proposed DSNY rules or other potential legislation that would impact DSNY.
• Work on federal, state, and city legislative initiatives affecting DSNY, including those relating to solid waste management, waste reduction, and recycling.
• Draft and review policy and procedures, orders and affidavits relating to environmental and employment issues.

Requirements

• Admission to the New York State Bar.
• One year of satisfactory United States legal experience subsequent to admission to any state bar; or 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.
• 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.

Nice-to-haves

• Excellent research, writing and communication skills.
• Experience in environmental and employment law.

Benefits

• Eligibility for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs.