Assistant General Counsel - AOT, Office of General Counsel

Assistant General Counsel – AOT, Office of General Counsel

Join to apply for the Assistant General Counsel – AOT, Office of General Counsel role at NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

The Office of General Counsel (OGC) provides legal advice and assistance to the entire agency. Specifically, OGC works to ensure that the innovative programs and initiatives of DOHMH are supported by a dedicated legal team. The OGC team is comprised of attorneys who work in a variety of areas including legal affairs (legal and policy analysis; health code enforcement; records access), contracts, privacy, and employment law.

OGC also houses the Institutional Review Board and attorneys working in the Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) program. The New York State (NYS) Legislature passed Kendra's law as an amendment to the Mental Hygiene Law to allow for outpatient civil commitment of individuals with histories of serious mental illness. Additionally, the AOT program is responsible for the management and oversight of the Citywide Assistance Team (CAT).

The CAT staff is responsible for coordinating the involuntary transport of court mandated individuals who do not adhere with their mental health treatment plans.

• Draft petitions for court-ordered treatment for psychiatric patients and represent the Health Department at the corresponding hearings and jury trials.
• Draft motions and appeals as needed.
• Litigate complex and significant cases at OATH, as needed.
• Conduct legal research and draft written analyses as needed, often on time-sensitive basis.
• Provide legal guidance to the AOT program, as needed, and assist in monitoring the workflow.
• Work with and/or collaborate with outside governmental agencies as needed including, but not limited to, the New York State Office of Mental Health, Mental Hygiene Legal Service and the Office of Court Administration.
• Collaborate with hospitals located in New York City to help them facilitate patient referrals to the AOT Program and assist them in completing AOT petitions.
• Travel to courts, various health department offices and hospitals/clinics within New York City.
• Maintain sensitive and confidential information.
• Manage and distribute information accurately and appropriately.
• Monitor the workflow, ensuring compliance with deadlines, and preparing reports and summaries.
• Establish positive working relationships with co-workers and programs.
• Possess excellent research and writing skills.
• Attend to other ad hoc projects and tasks, as needed or assigned.

• Highly detail-oriented with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects.
• Ability to use online legal research platforms such as Westlaw, CLEAR, and Lexis Nexis.
• Current working knowledge of Health Department procedures, policies and practices is a plus.
• Current experience in or knowledge and interest in mental health and other public health matters is a plus.

• Benefits:
  City employees are entitled to unmatched benefits such as:
• Premium‑free health insurance plan that saves employees over $10K annually, per a 2024 assessment.
• Additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position’s associated union/benefit fund.
• Public sector defined benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement.
• Tax‑deferred savings program.
• Robust Worksite Wellness Program that offers resources and opportunities to keep you healthy while serving New Yorkers.
• Work From Home Policy:
  Depending on your position, you may be able to work up to two days during the week from home.
• Job Security: enjoy greater job security compared to private sector employment and help make NYC a healthy place to live and work.

Established in 1805, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health Department) is the oldest and largest health department in the U.S., dedicated to protecting and improving the health of NYC. Our mission is to safeguard the health of every resident and cultivate a city where everyone, regardless of age, background, or location, can achieve their optimal health.

We provide a wide array of programs and…