What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant General Counsel – Engineering & Construction Claims position at Office of the New York City Comptroller?
The New York City Comptroller’s Office works to promote the financial health, integrity, and effectiveness of New York City government, in order to strengthen trust, secure a thriving future for all New Yorkers, and build a more just, equitable, and resilient city. Led by an independently elected citywide official, the comptroller’s office provides checks and balances needed to hold City government accountable for budgeting wisely, investing responsibly, operating efficiently, acting fairly, living up to its obligations and promises, and paying attention to the long-term challenges we face together.
The Comptroller’s Office of General Counsel leverages the expertise of its diverse team of attorneys to provide high quality legal advice, counsel, and support to the Comptroller and the Agency’s various bureaus. OGC facilitates and advances the Office’s strategic objectives in advising on the various legal and operational opportunities and risks, while ensuring compliance with the Agency’s Charter mandate, as well as local, state, and federal laws.
The Office of General Counsel (OGC) is responsible for handling all legal matters implicated in the work of the Comptroller the City’s independent and chief fiscal watchdog. OGC addresses myriad legal issues, including compliance and risk management, litigation strategy, municipal finance and pension investment transactions and disclosures, agency audits, settlements of claims brought on behalf of and against the City, employee discipline, records access, public policy, and proposed federal, state, and local legislation. OGC works closely with all of the divisions within the Comptroller’s Office and with various City agencies.
Under the supervision of the Deputy General Counsel of Engineering and Construction Claims and in collaboration with the Bureau of Engineering, the Assistant General Counsel responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following :
- Reviewing complex construction claims and contract disputes, including breach of contract and other high-exposure and high-profile claims;
- Investigating, evaluating, negotiating, monitoring, and approving settlement recommendations for various non-tort claims and lawsuits against the City of New York and its agencies and escalating issues to the Deputy General Counsel;
- Advising and counseling BOE on a wide variety of legal matters, including contract interpretation and administration;
- Participating in and conducting complex settlement conferences and negotiations with the BOE;
- Drafting determinations for contract disputes, pursuant to the Comptroller's Office's role in the City's contract dispute resolution process;
- Representing the Comptroller’s Office on engineering and construction-related matters and interacting with various City agencies, including the Law Department, as well as with private construction contractors, consultants, law firms, and the public;
- Train agency attorneys and other legal staff on claims review and the claims processes, as needed;
- Performing legal research and drafting memoranda on critical issues affecting ongoing litigation, negotiations, and procurement and construction-related policy;
- Performing related assignments and special projects as required.
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
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.
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