Assistant General Counsel - job 1 of 10

The NYC Board of Standards and Appeals is a critical component of the City’s regulation of land use, development, and construction in New York City. The Board is an independent, administrative review body, with the power to grant relief to landowners whose property is deemed unduly restricted by the City’s Zoning Resolution and Building Code. The Board is composed of five full-time commissioners appointed by the Mayor. The Board’s staff includes an executive director, general counsel, and plan examiners.

The Board’s mandate includes providing expert review of zoning variance and special permit applications; appeals to determinations made by the Department of Buildings and Fire Department based on legal doctrine; revocations or modifications of certificates of occupancy; and waivers from other laws, including the Multiple Dwelling Law and the General City Law.

Responsibilities:

Under supervision of the General Counsel, the Assistant General Counsel will:

- Draft decisions for adoption by the Board.
- Analyze and identify complicated legal issues, conduct independent research, and prepare memoranda of law.
- Review applications for development projects and appeals to zoning determinations.
- Meet with applicants on proposed development projects and advise on legal parameters.
- Liaison with other agencies, including the Department of Buildings and the City’s Law Department.
- Draft responses to inquiries from applicants and members of the public.
- Attend all public meetings of the Board.
- Advise staff members on agency rules of procedure and other legal matters; and
- Perform other legal duties as directed by the General Counsel or Executive Director.

AGENCY ATTORNEY - 30087

1. Admission to the New York State Bar; and either "2" or "3" below.
2. One year of satisfactory United States legal experience subsequent to admission to any state bar; or
3. 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.
In addition to meeting the minimum Qualification Requirements:
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.

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.