Director, Administrative Enforcement Unit (AEU) Legal Matters

The NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) ensures the safe and lawful use of buildings and properties by enforcing the NYC Construction Codes, Energy Code, and Zoning Resolution.

The Administrative Enforcement Unit (AEU) is responsible for the successful processing and prosecution of DOB-issued summonses that are returnable to the Hearings Division of the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH).

AEU Legal Matters is a functional area within AEU, staffed with Agency Attorneys who represent the Department at hearings held by OATH.

Under the direction of the Assistant Commissioner for Administrative Policy & Enforcement and the Executive Director of Administrative Enforcement, but with a wide latitude for independent action, the Director of Legal Matters will be responsible for :

• Overseeing all operations of the AEU Legal Matters team, while fostering a collaborative and productive work environment.
• Preparing legal memoranda and standard operating procedures to guide AEU personnel in successfully prosecuting DOB-issued summonses.
• Providing legal interpretations of relevant laws and regulations to DOB personnel and making recommendations to DOB leadership or other stakeholders.
• Liaising with NYC Corporation Counsel, Mayor’s Office, and DOB General Counsel’s office for cases litigated within the New York court system, policy matters, and issues related to the issuance, prosecution, and certification of summonses.
• Collaborating with the inspectorial unit to ensure the proper representation as it relates to the adjudication of summonses, inspector appearances at hearings, or other operational matters and re-issuance of summonses that have been administratively dismissed by OATH where appropriate.
• Preparing monthly and annual reports on behalf of the AEU Legal Matters team and making effective use of statistical data to analyze unit goals.
• Working closely with the Executive Director and other DOB leaders to ensure the successful implementation of programs.
• Answering Inquiries from the public in a diplomatic manner.
• Other duties as assigned by a Supervisor.

Minimum Qualifications

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.

Preferred Skills

• 5 years of relevant legal experience subsequent to admission to any State bar, 2 years of which must have been in the supervision of other attorneys in an administrative, managerial or executive capacity.
• Excellent communication, writing, leadership, management, supervision, organizational and analytical skills.-Ability to handle multiple tasks as well as develop, motivate, and inspire team performance.
• Experience with the Construction Codes, Zoning Resolution, Multiple Dwelling Law or land use law.-Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Programs, Lexis-Nexis, etc.

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 class "jobad-residencyRequirement">

Residency RequirementNew York City Residency is not required for this position