Job Title: Special Counsel / Chief of Staff - Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS)
Salary Range: $196, – $196, per year
Experience Level: Executive
Job Level: M3
Number of Positions: 1
Work Location: 1 Centre St., New York City
Category: Legal Affairs
Department: Office of General Counsel (OGC)
Organization: DCAS
Date Posted: 04/15/2025
Full-time position
Location: New York City - All Boroughs
No Exam Required
Residency Requirement: Not Applicable
Introduction:
The Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) is responsible for managing New York City's most iconic courthouses and municipal buildings, as well as purchasing over $1 billion annually in goods and services for more than 80 city agencies. Their mission is to make city government work for all New Yorkers, and their reach touches every facet of city government. They are committed to equity, effectiveness, and sustainability in their work, and they provide critical resources and support to city agencies to ensure their successful day-to-day operations.
Job Description:
DCAS is seeking a highly motivated attorney and manager to serve as Special Counsel and Chief of Staff to the General Counsel. The Special Counsel will play a critical role in advising the General Counsel and managing the Office of General Counsel (OGC), which serves as legal counsel for the 12 lines of service within DCAS. This includes managing a staff of 60+ attorneys, investigators, auditors, and support staff, as well as working with senior leadership within OGC and across the agency. The Special Counsel must exercise excellent judgment in a fast-paced environment while juggling multiple priorities. They must be highly organized, proactive, and strategic, with strong written and oral communication skills, and able to think holistically and creatively.
Responsibilities:
- Advising the General Counsel on sensitive matters
- Managing a staff of 60+ attorneys, investigators, auditors, and support staff
- Leading OGC's development and execution of a talent hiring and retention plan
- Assisting with management of major OGC processes, including risk management, audits, investigations, review of legislation and regulations, and oversight of major litigation
- Managing information flow between the General Counsel and internal and external parties
- Developing organizational structures and systems that facilitate the work of teams
- Working with the General Counsel and DCAS executive/senior leadership to ensure that OGC is meeting the needs of the agency
- Conducting legal research
- Handling any other duties or matters as needed
Qualifications:
- Admission to the New York State Bar
- 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
- Must remain a member of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of employment
- Eight years of post-bar legal experience preferred
- Experience working at a managerial level within government, with City government experience
- Experience organizing and facilitating decision-making processes and tracking deliverables for a principal
- Ability to independently act on priority projects
- Ability to prioritize and complete work assignments in a timely manner
- Ability to exercise critical, analytical, and problem-solving skills under pressure and at times with extreme sensitivity
To Apply:
Interested candidates should visit and search for Job ID #711110. Current City employees can also log into Employee Self Service at to apply. Please note that only those candidates under consideration will be contacted.
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 . Department of Education's website at /.
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.
Conclusion:
This is an excellent opportunity to work for a dynamic and impactful agency that plays a critical role in the day-to-day operations of the City of New York. The Special Counsel / Chief of Staff will have the chance to make a real difference by advising the General Counsel and managing the Office of General Counsel. With a competitive salary and the potential for loan forgiveness, this is a highly desirable position for experienced attorneys with a passion for public service. Apply now to join the team at DCAS and help make a difference in the lives of all New Yorkers.
