Assistant Director of Legal Compliance

THE SELECTED CANDIDATE WILL BE OFFERED A SALARY BETWEEN $167,531.00 - $187,716.00

The Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) protects and promotes the safety and well-being of children and families through child welfare and juvenile justice services and community supports. ACS manages community-based supports and foster care services, and provides subsidized child care vouchers. ACS child protection staff respond to allegations of child maltreatment. In juvenile justice, ACS oversees detention, placement and programs for youth in the community.

FCLS is primarily responsible for representing The Administration for Children’s Services in child neglect and abuse cases, permanency hearings, juvenile delinquency hearings and other child welfare proceedings in the five Family Courts. The work done by FCLS to support ACS and the Division of Child Protection is directly related to maintaining and improving the health and safety of children who are the subject of child abuse and neglect proceedings. FCLS attorneys work collaboratively with ACS Child Protective Specialists (CPS), foster care agency case planners and other ACS staff and child welfare stakeholders to further the agency’s mission on behalf of children, youth and families.

Under the direction of the Legal Compliance Unit Director, with wide latitude for independent judgement and unreviewed action and decision-making, the Assistant Director of Legal Compliance will engage in difficult and complex work within the Division of Family Court Legal Services (FCLS) and play an important leadership role in legal casework and consultation functions having significant procedural or policy consequences.

Specific duties will include:

• Assisting in the direction of the Division’s Legal Compliance Unit, which is composed of senior agency attorneys. In the absence of the Unit’s Director, the Assistant Director of Legal Compliance will ensure that the Unit is appropriately supervised, and that the staff are meeting the needs of the Division

• Participating in Division’s management team and assisting Director with input and guidance regarding issues that arise on a daily basis including planning and implementation of a variety of Division initiatives

• Serving as Divisional point person for communication with other Divisions of ACS and provider agencies on the resolution of complex legal and policy-related issues arising on individual Family Court cases, including researching and providing legal advice on statutes, regulations, policies, and procedures

• Providing guidance to the Legal Compliance Unit, other FCLS attorneys, and other Divisions of ACS on decisions related to safety, services, and permanency planning

• Developing expertise and serving as an FCLS specialist in a variety of areas including but not limited to: permanency planning, medical consents, delinquency practice, Interstate Compacts, voluntaries, OPWDD and OMH, visiting (family time), youth transitioning out of care, LGBTQAI+ issues, housing, discharges, child care, Foster Care Re-Entry, Family First legislation, and Kinship Guardianship (KinGAP)

• Representing the Division at cross-divisional meetings, work-groups, and initiatives related to topics including but not limited to Family First, KinGAP, Interstate Compacts, Multi-Disciplinary Team Meetings, immigration, and Expecting and Parenting Youth

• Serving as an agency and Divisional point person for communication with outside attorney organizations

• Drafting and commenting on policies, both cross-divisionally and within FCLS, memoranda, and other documents regarding practice-related issues for use by FCLS staff, and external stakeholders

• Providing trainings on a variety of subjects relating to permanency and service planning to FCLS attorneys, other divisions, and provider agencies in coordination with the Legal

Training Unit

• Attending trainings, workshops and seminars at ACS or off-site, on topics including but not limited to children and youth in foster care, Close to Home, adoptive placements, and other related topics

• Providing support and supervision to borough-based FCLS offices as needed. This may include offering strategic guidance and supervision of all levels of Attorney Staff engaged in a

variety of legal tasks, including but not limited to the preparation of witnesses, evidence and other trial-related initiatives, and screening, handling and litigation of complex child abuse and neglect matters

• Provide on-call overnight and weekend support to DCP in order to obtain emergency court orders and legal advice as scheduled

• As needed, representing ACS in court and other forums

Preferred Skills

• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of agency policy and procedure;

• Comprehensive knowledge of relevant child welfare and juvenile justice laws, New York State statutes and regulations, and some specialized knowledge of related areas of law and practice;

• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage and lead staff;

• Ability to write and communicate effectively to advise senior executive level staff

TO APPLY:

Please go to www.cityjobs.nyc.gov or www.nyc.gov/ess for current NYC employees and search for Job ID#754535

No phone calls, faxes or personal inquiries permitted.

Note: Only candidates under consideration will be contacted.

EXECUTIVE AGENCY COUNSEL - 95005