DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT

Agency Description

The Commission works every day to implement the city’s Human Rights Law through enforcement, education, and outreach. The Commission seeks to address historic and contemporary inequities to cultivate a city where everyone can live, work, and thrive free from discrimination.

Through training, education, and policy initiatives, the Commission aims to root out discrimination. The Commission proactively identifies patterns of discrimination through testing employers, housing providers, and providers of public accommodation. The Commission also uses investigations, litigation, and other enforcement tools to address allegations of discrimination.

Job Description

Reporting to the Commissioner/Chair, the Deputy Commissioner for Law Enforcement is the senior leader responsible for the management of the Law Enforcement Bureau. The Deputy Commissioner works with senior agency leadership to formulate and direct the Bureau’s process for fielding inquiries from the public, as well as conducting intakes and investigations brought by the public relating to complaints of discrimination, retaliation, and harassment. The Deputy Commissioner for Law Enforcement will also have oversight of the Law Enforcement Bureau’s strategy for filing complaints on behalf of the agency to address patterns and practice of discrimination, and the litigation of matters before the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings. The Deputy Commissioner for Law Enforcement will also ensure adequate and effective supervision and training for the Bureau’s investigators, attorneys, and administrative staff. The Deputy Commissioner for Law Enforcement will also review, implement, and continually assess internal processes to ensure effective and efficient enforcement of the New York City Human Rights Law.

Responsibilities Include

• Sharing information with senior leadership to help develop programs responsive to the needs of New York’s diverse communities and Commission stakeholders;
• Identifying Commission-initiated claims that best serve the public interest;
• Ensuring effective assessment of all allegations of discrimination, retaliation, and harassment raised by potential complainants;
• Working with different legal advocacy organizations and community stakeholders on effective enforcement strategies for different groups/individuals raising claims under the NYCHRL;
• Managing and directing a team of professional legal staff and support personnel involved in all aspects of cases, including fielding inquiries, intakes, investigations, litigation, referrals to mediation, and case conciliations;
• Managing a team of testers conducting anti-discrimination testing;
• Directly supervise the Assistant Commissioner for Law Enforcement and other unit supervisors as appropriate;
• Reviewing and updating as needed, the processes associated with public inquiries and complaints;
• Working with the agency’s Chief of Staff and General Counsel to ensure accurate data and statistics and to fulfill the agency’s reporting requirements;
• Liaising with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and New York State Division on Human Rights;
• Ensuring the Bureau is well versed on legal issues as they emerge through research and other means;
• Ensuring that all unit staff receive ongoing training and resources about relevant changes in law and practice, precedent setting decisions, and agency policy and procedures.
• Advising senior leadership team on proposed legislation;
• Representing the agency in front of City Council and in the media, and liaising with City Hall as appropriate;
• Communicating with parties to litigation as appropriate; and
• Other responsibilities assigned by the Commissioner to help effectively and efficiently run the Law Enforcement Bureau.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• A license to practice law in the State of New York and four years of satisfactory, full-time legal experience subsequent to admission to the Bar, one year of which must have been in the supervision of other attorneys; or
• Education and/or experience equivalent to "1" above. Advanced legal education beyond the Juris Doctor degree may be substituted for up to two years of required experience. However, all candidates must have a license to practice law in the State of New York and the one year of legal experience which included the supervision of other attorneys.
  
  

Preferred Skills

• Attention to detail and ability to multi-task, prioritize and schedule work effectively to achieve optimal results while demonstrating strong interpersonal skills. - At least 10-15 years of legal experience following graduation from an ABA accredited law school including at least five (5) years of supervisory legal experience - Excellent negotiation, mediation, problem solving, and persuasion skills. - Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities in complex legal and regulatory environments. - Ability to communicate effectively across cultures, identities, and backgrounds, and to give and receive feedback. - Prior experience working with and/or knowledge of advocacy and legal organizations and non-profits working to advance social justice, especially within New York City - Knowledge and experience litigating discrimination claims in at least one of the following areas: housing, employment, and/or public accommodations - Prior experience crafting anti-discrimination tests and building litigation based off testing results - Strong oral and written communication skills - Experience working as part of a team and ability to work collaboratively - Experience representing clients with low or moderate income - Demonstrated commitment to public service - Strong work ethic - Experience conducting and supervising discovery, reviewing documents and taking deposition or trial testimony - Prior legal experience should include representing individuals raising claims under the NYCHRL and experience with other government agencies (e.g., EEOC, NYSDHR) - Strong people skills and leadership skills - Strong relationships with legal advocacy organizations or non-profits working addressing discrimination and advance equity in New York City. - Demonstrated prior management and strategic planning experience Experience training and mentoring lawyers or law students.
  
  

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 generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

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.

, $165,000.00 – $185,000.00