Legal Affairs
Executive Agency Counsel
$68,213 to $128,000 a year
Posted until October 13, 2026 · posted August 14, 2026
Requirements
Other requirements
Exam
Non-competitive title
A job title where a competitive exam is not practical, so the agency checks that your qualifications meet the standard instead. You apply directly. On our job pages this shows as "No exam for this title".
From ≈ $32.79 an hour · $2,624 every 2 weeks, before taxes (40-hour weeks).
NYC minimum wage is $17/hr. This beats it by $15.79/hr, with health insurance and a pension on top.
What you'd have made
$2,615 If you'd started this job 2 weeks ago, at this pay, before taxes.
An hour of this job pays for about 10.9 subway rides ($3 fare).
Price anything in hours of this job
Overtime added $27 on average that year, and it isn't guaranteed. Base salary of active employees paid a yearly rate, fiscal year 2025 (July 2024 to June 2025). Source: NYC's payroll data
Check yourself
What they actually ask for.
Other requirements: read them on the posting
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.
Quoted word for word from the official posting. The label above is ours, read from this text; if they disagree, this text wins.
The work
What the job is.
The Office of Research and Policy Development provide legal counsel to DSS, HRA and DHS Operations managers and executive staff on legal matters pursuant to social services policy interpretation, implementation of welfare reform policies and procedures and related programs including but not limited to employment, engagement and childcare.
Read the rest, from the posting
Under managerial direction of the Assistant Deputy Commissioner (ADC), Research and Policy Development, with wide latitude for independent judgment and un-reviewed action and decision, the Senior Counsel serves as legal counsel, has supervisory responsibilities and manages the unit in the absence of the ADC.
Directs DSS/HRA/DHS staff in legal mandates and engages in important, difficult and complex legal counseling and social services public policy work in concert with DSS/HRA managerial, executive staff and outside experts.
The Office of Policy, Procedure and Training (OPPT) is recruiting for an Executive Agency Counsel M-1 to function as Senior Counsel within their Research and Policy Development Division, who will:
- Provide legal counsel to DSS/HRA/DHS managers and executive staff on legal matters pursuant to social services policy interpretation, implementation of welfare reform policies and procedures and related programs including but not limited to employment, engagement and childcare.
- Meet with high-level DSS/HRA/DHS managerial and executive staff and outside experts to confer on the legal aspect of important and complex agency policies implementing the goals and priorities of the agency and responding to new regulations, legislation and court orders.
- Draft legal policy statements, memoranda of law, legal opinions, affidavits and other legal documents and briefing memoranda regarding important and complex DSS/HRA/DHS policy issues for managerial and executive staff.
- Draft proposed policies, legislation and regulations related to agency issues for review by Agency Leadership and Management to facilitate the mission of the agency in administration of agency programs, benefits, services and in promoting client self-sufficiency.
- Review policies, legal documents, legislation, legal briefs, regulations, oversight agency guidance and legal decisions, to provide comments and edits to proposed policies, legislation, rules and regulations and policy documents in concert with the Office of Legal Affairs as well as Corporation Counsel.
- Prepare waiver requests on highly technical regulatory provisions for appropriate state and/or federal agencies to modify the agency’s administration of benefits and services.
- Assist ADC in the management of the office, and directs subordinate staff as needed.
- Train staff in legal research methods, writing legal memoranda and public speaking within his/her expertise.
Hours/Schedule: 9am - 5pm
Skills they'd like
- At least two years of experience in managing a unit of attorneys and support staff, particularly in municipal government.
- Knowledge of provisions in New York Social Services Law, New York Codes Rules and Regulations, New York City Charter, New York City Administrative Code, Code of Federal Regulations and government policies regarding public benefits.
- Excellent verbal, written, and professional interpersonal communication skills.
- Excellent judgment, discretion and ability to appropriately handle privileged and confidential information and highly sensitive documents.
- Ability to deal with challenging telephone calls, emails and letters from the public.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and time management skills.
- Detail-oriented while meeting competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment and having the flexibility to shift priorities quickly, effectively and with accuracy.
- Proficiency in Lexis Nexis and Microsoft Office programs including Outlook, Word, and Excel; Experience with Adobe Acrobat Professional software; work with pdf documents and files and /or ability to quickly learn these computer programs
- An understanding of social services issues and programs
Before you apply
The fine print.
Where you have to live
NYC residency not required
New York City Residency is not required for this position
How to apply, from the posting
CLICK “APPLY” NOW BUTTON
Sources
Straight from the city.
Updated every day from the city's job data (last city update September 21, 2026). You apply through the official posting.
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