About the Agency:

The New York City Department of Housing Preservation (HPD) promotes quality and affordability in the city's housing, and diversity and strength in the city’s neighborhoods because every New Yorker deserves a safe, affordable place to live in a neighborhood they love.

• We maintain building and resident safety and health
• We create opportunities for New Yorkers through housing affordability
• We engage New Yorkers to build and sustain neighborhood strength and diversity.

HPD is entrusted with fulfilling these objectives through the goals and strategies of “Housing Our Neighbors: A Blueprint for Housing and Homelessness,” Mayor Adams’ comprehensive housing framework. To support this important work, the administration has committed $5 billion in new capital funding, bringing the 10-year planned investment in housing to $22 billion—the largest in the city’s history. This investment, coupled with a commitment to reduce administrative and regulatory barriers, is a multi-pronged strategy to tackle New York City’s complex housing crisis, by addressing homelessness and housing instability, promoting economic stability and mobility, increasing homeownership opportunities, improving health and safety, and increasing opportunities for equitable growth.

The Office of Enforcement and Neighborhood Services (OENS) is charged with enforcing the New York City Housing Maintenance Code and New York State Multiple Dwelling Law. To ensure compliance with the legal and regulatory obligations of these laws, the Office of Enforcement and Neighborhood Services conducts inspections, issues violations, corrects emergency conditions, seeks civil penalties and enforcement of Orders to Correct in Housing Court, issues fees, targets proactive and building-wide activities to buildings identified with systemic maintenance issues and responds to claims of harassment based on maintenance conditions. OENS works closely with other HPD divisions and community partners to identify distressed buildings and develop appropriate strategies to address those properties.

The Office of Enforcement and Neighborhood Services is composed of 8 divisions:

• Preservation Services Exec Office (EXEC), Data Management & Technology (DMT), Division of Neighborhood Preservation (DNP), Administration & Internal Compliance (AIC), Housing Litigation Division (HLD), Division of Code Enforcement (DCE), Emergency Operations Division (EOD) and Division of Special Enforcement (DSE).

Your Impact:
Housing Litigation Division (HLD) initiates litigation against building owners in Housing Court to ensure compliance with housing standards contained in the New York City Housing Maintenance Code and New York State Multiple Dwelling Law. HLD seeks orders to correct violations, civil penalties, access warrants, 7A Administrators and appears in tenant-initiated proceedings.
Your Role:

As an Agency Attorney L-3 for the Brooklyn borough unit and under the direction of the Assistant Commissioner and/or Supervising Attorney in the Housing and Litigation Division, your responsibilities will include, but will not be limited to the following:

Your Responsibilities:

• Serving as a Senior Staff Attorney and litigating complex cases; Assisting the Supervising Attorney in managing the Brooklyn Unit.
• Assisting the Supervising Attorney in managing the Brooklyn Unit, including supervising legal staff litigating complex cases or handling matters having significant financial, procedural and policy consequences.
• Executing difficult and involved negotiations on behalf of the agency.
• Reviewing, revising and approving agreements prepared by other attorneys.
• Conferencing disputes between landlords and tenants regarding housing code violations.
• Preparing and reviewing complex briefs, motions, legal opinions, affidavits, memoranda and other legal papers related to housing code violations.
• Reviewing and assessing cases on merit and preparing memoranda with recommendation.
• Completing research and preparing cases for trial and arguing them before courts or quasi-judicial bodies.
• Conducting legal investigations and informal hearings and interviewing witnesses.
• Advising on legal aspects of enforcement and administration of acts, rules, laws and regulations.

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.

• Admission to the New York State Bar; and either “2” or “3” below.
• One year of satisfactory United States legal experience after admission to any state bar; or
• Six months of satisfactory service as an agency Attorney Intern (30086)
• Incumbents must remain Members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of this employment.
• 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 after admission to the bar, in the areas of law related to the assignment.
• Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills as well as proficiency with PC software such as Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word.
• Knowledge of the various HPD’s internal databases, including but not limited to: HLD’s Litigation Management System (LMS) and HPDINFO.

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.

In addition, the Department of Housing Preservation & Development offers competitive salaries and the following benefits: Generous Pension Plans (The New York Employees' Retirement System);
401(k) and Roth 457(k) Retirement Savings Programs; U.S. Savings Bonds Flexible Spending Program; Health Benefits, Dental, Vision Coverage, Prescription Drug Program; Training and Professional Development; Opportunity for Scholarship; ‘College Savings Program; Paid Holidays and Generous Annual Leave.

HPD's vision is to promote strength and diversity in our workforce and an inclusive and equitable work environment.

Apply online

100 Gold Street

New York City Residency is not required for this position