Senior Counsel for Contracts and Procurement

Agency Description:
The Department of Small Business Services (SBS) helps unlock economic potential and create economic security for all New Yorkers by connecting New Yorkers to good jobs, creating stronger businesses and building a fairer economy in neighborhoods across the five boroughs.

Division/Program Description:
The Office of Legal Counsel provides legal support to all SBS programs, initiatives, and divisions. Under the supervision of the General Counsel, the Office of Legal Counsel ensures that SBS programs are operating efficiently and in compliance with all applicable Federal, State, and City laws, rules and regulations.

Job Description:
Under the supervision and direction of the General Counsel , with latitude for independent judgment and decision making, engages in detailed and complex legal work, including the following:
- Serve as the senior legal counsel for contracts and procurements and supervise the contracting work of junior attorneys;
- Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex contracts and amendments using various procurement methods, including agreements with federal funding requirements;
- Reviewing various procurement solicitations (including RFPs) for compliance with New York City Procurement Policy Board (PPB) Rules;
- Serve as point person in aiding the agency procurement team in problem solving and creating innovative ways to assist in negotiating and executing contracts and procurements in real time as questions arise;
- Drafting correspondence and memoranda for internal and external audiences;
- Managing tight contracting deadlines by successfully interacting with internal and external partners to complete contracts and related documents;
- Preparing contract documents for New York City Law Department review and approval, and communicating contract review process/procedures to the programmatic divisions within SBS;
- Meeting with and providing legal advice to SBS staff to ensure compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations;
- Assisting division staff with the M/WBE appeals and decision process, present facts, draft opinions and decisions to Office of Legal Counsel and M/WBE program staff; and
- Assisting the General Counsel with other assignments and projects as needed, including Freedom of Information Law requests, Conflicts of Interest, EEO and disciplinary issues, employment matters, regulatory/permit matters, administrative hearings, litigation support, nonprofit governance, audits and other legal and programmatic matters that may arise.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Admission to New York State Bar and at least 4 years of recent full time, relevant, satisfactory legal experience subsequent to admission to any bar, eighteen months 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:
- Excellent research, analytical and writing skills;
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively;
- Five (5) or more years of experience/familiarity with federal, New York state or local government funding regulations, government procurement and contracting or a related field.


Additional Information: Loan Forgiveness
The federal government provides student loan forgiveness through its Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) to all qualifying public service employees. Working with SBS qualifies you as a public service employee and you may be able to take advantage of this program while working full-time and meeting the program’s other requirements.

How to Apply:

City Employees: Apply through https://cityjobs.nyc.gov/ search for Job ID: # 694701

Current SBS Employees: Please email your resume and cover letter including the following subject line: “Senior Counsel for Contracts and Procurement” and send to [email protected]

All Other Applicants: Go to www.nyc.gov/jobs search for Job ID: # 694701

Note: We appreciate the interest and thank all applicants who apply, but only those candidates under consideration will be contacted.

If you are unable to apply via NYC Jobs or ESS, you can email your cover letter and resume to [email protected] with the following in the subject line: Senior Counsel for Contracts and Procurement

If you do not have access to email, mail your cover letter & resume to:
NYC Department of Small Business Services
Human Resources Unit
1 Liberty Plaza, 11th Floor
New York, New York 10006

Residency Requirement
New York City residency is NOT required for this position.

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.

Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

NOTE: This position is open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate in your cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position under the 55-a.

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.

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.