Deputy Counsel for HFA

New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) is the State’s affordable housing agency, with a mission to build, preserve, and protect affordable housing and increase homeownership throughout New York State.

A Civil Service exam is not required for this position. Candidates must meet the minimum qualifications outlined below to be considered.

NYS Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) is committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Our work would not be possible without the diverse backgrounds, experiences, ideas, and abilities of our employees. HCR is committed to developing a workforce which represents the diverse population of New York State. HCR embraces a diverse and inclusive work environment by encouraging all individuals, including those with disabilities, to apply to open positions at the agency.

The Office of Legal Affairs provides legal advice, counsel and representation to all the Agencies’ offices and program areas and ensures that all matters comply with federal and state legal mandates. The primary functions are organized within four major subject matter areas or units, General Law, Litigation, Hearings, and Transactions.

Job Summary:
The Deputy Counsel - HFA is responsible for managing the attorneys and other professional staff providing legal services for the New York State Housing Finance Agency (“HFA”) with a focus on the financing of the HFA multi-family housing projects.  HFA, together with the State of New York Mortgage Agency (“SONYMA”) and their respective subsidiaries are public benefit corporations of the State of New York and fund their operations through the issuance of bonds.  HFA issues tax exempt and taxable bonds to provide low-cost financing to developers to build or renovate rental housing that is available to low-to-moderate income families.  

The role of the attorneys in supporting the HFA project financing programs is largely transactional.  Attorneys work on HFA bond financed multi-family housing projects from initial financing through permanent conversion following construction completion.    HFA projects utilize the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit as well as various subsidy sources and credit enhancement. The Deputy Counsel will be responsible for the oversight and day to day management of the attorneys and other professionals providing legal support on a range of issues relating to the HFA transactional practice including project financing, asset management, special programs, HFA bond issuance   and related in-house legal duties.  

Responsibilities:

• All aspects of multi-family   bond housing financings, both at initial funding and at conversion.
• All legal aspects of the related real estate financings; 
• All other legal areas related to the project financings, as required.
• All legal aspects of loan and asset management, including areas related to mortgage enforcement. 
• Supervision of the legal staff of attorneys and paralegals in all aspects of their work; 
• Supervision of outside counsel.    

 Who you are: 

• Must be admitted to the practice of law in New York State.
• Must have 10 years of experience with 5 years of experience in real estate law. 
• Significant experience with sophisticated real estate transactions, secured financing, construction lending and mortgage loan portfolio management, or have a good understanding of the preceding together with government experience and experience with the legislative process. 
• Experience with LIHTC, tax law, environmental law and litigation may also be helpful. 
• Must have experience supervising and managing teams of lawyers and professional staff.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with staff and outside attorneys and consultants.
• Ability to manage outside counsel. 
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills.
• Record of productivity.

This job description is not intended to be all inclusive and employee will be expected to perform other reasonably related duties as assigned.

What we offer at NYSHCR: 

• Extensive benefits package including paid leave, including excellent health, dental, vision and retirement benefits with the New York State & Local Employees’ Retirement System.
• Promotional opportunity for dedicated professionals
• Work life balance benefits including a 37.5 hour work week and paid time off benefits including, vacation, sick, personal days, and Federal Holidays
• Opportunity for compressed scheduling
• 12 weeks of Paid Parental Leave
• Paid Family Leave
• Opportunity for compressed/flextime scheduling
• As a New York State employee, you may qualify to participate in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under an accepted repayment plan and while working full-time for an eligible employer.

Additional SONYMA/HFA/AHC Benefits: 

• Cash in for Wellness! This program provides you with the option of buying or renewing a health club membership of your choice or enrolling in a weight loss and or smoking cessation program, using your sick leave accruals.
• Tuition reimbursement program – for job related and non-job related courses
• Vacation Leave Buy-Back program – Subject to approval, every year eligible employees may exchange previously earned and accrued vacation time in return for cash compensation (at employee’s daily rate of pay at time of exchange)
• Access to Plum Benefits – savings on movie tickets, theme parks, hotels, tours, Broadway shows and more!
• Optical reimbursement program – Employees are eligible for optical, hearing aid, and podiatric expenses not otherwise covered by insurance, with a maximum aggregate amount of $650 per year, per family. Unused yearly balances may be carried over to the next year for a maximum of $1300

 
About New York State Homes and Community Renewal: 
Under the leadership of Governor Kathy Hochul and Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas, HCR is a vibrant, innovative agency that integrates and leverages New York State’s housing resources. We have offices in New York City, Albany, Buffalo and Syracuse, and employ a diverse workforce of professionals who are hard-working and committed to serving low and moderate income families. Our mission is far reaching, encompassing single and multifamily housing finance, home improvement, rent regulation, housing subsidies, and community development. We partner regularly with a variety of public and private stakeholders. 

Achieving this mission requires a wide range of skills and backgrounds in public policy, administration, real estate, construction. finance, law, and many other areas of expertise. We seek to provide a workplace environment that is productive, flexible, accountable, ethical, and caring. Our employees are empowered to make a difference where they live and work. We offer competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package, including paid leave, health, dental, vision, retirement, and family-friendly policies. 

Salary : $650 - $1,300