Associate Counsel

Business (In-Office) Title:  Associate Counsel

Division:   Legal

Number of Positions:  2

Position Status: Full-Time Employee

Salary Range for Role:   $96,000 - $102,000

Civil Service Title/Level:  Agency Attorney

Application Deadline: Until filled

Job ID #:   784537 

Start your career here at the NYC Campaign Finance Board. Click on the link to learn more about the open positions at our agency! 

ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN FINANCE BOARD

The Campaign Finance Board is a nonpartisan, independent city agency that empowers New Yorkers to have a greater impact on their elections. Our mission is to make local democracy more open, transparent, and equitable by removing barriers to participation. 

We make it easier for New Yorkers to vote, meaningfully support candidates for city office, and run for office themselves. NYC Votes, our voter engagement initiative, meets people where they are to share trustworthy election information and help New Yorkers make a plan to vote. We publish the citywide Voter Guide, which delivers information about candidates directly to voters’ doors. Our public matching funds program ensures small contributions can make a big difference, allowing regular people to run for office by relying on the support of other regular people, not just wealthy donors and special interests. And we lift the veil on how candidates raise and spend money, increasing transparency and accountability in local government. 

We believe that when every New Yorker is empowered to participate meaningfully in elections, candidates will better reflect the communities they serve, elected leaders will be more accountable to the public, and New Yorkers will have a democracy they can truly trust. 

ABOUT THE UNIT 

The Legal unit's staff advise on campaign finance law, election law, employment and labor law, contracting and procurement law, conflict of interest laws, and litigation involving the CFB.  They engage in work including but not limited to administrative law enforcement, litigation, and policy development. The unit serves as legal representation of the agency in litigation and employment matters, and as legal advisors supporting the agency’s programmatic work.  

JOB DESCRIPTION 

This role is primarily focused on enforcement of New York City’s campaign finance laws and rules, and includes opportunities for legal research, analysis, and writing related to the functions of the general counsel’s office. 

The responsibilities and tasks to be completed in this role include, but are not limited to:

• Prosecuting enforcement actions against campaigns and independent spenders;
• Appear before the 5-member Campaign Finance Board regarding formal and informal complaints and/or investigations, which includes the review and analysis of all submissions by adversaries; draft administrative determinations; issue recommendations on civil penalties and other appropriate enforcement actions; meet and correspond with campaigns regarding enforcement matters;
• Representing the agency in administrative hearings, collection actions, and Article 78 proceedings;
• Drafting and analyzing rules, legislation, and advisory opinions;
• Conducting research and drafting memoranda in response to legal inquiries; and
• Providing legal counsel to the agency on matters relating to records retention, freedom of information, privacy and identifying information compliance, procurement and contracting procedures, and other areas of law as needed. 

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES & OTHER BEHAVIORS (KSAOs)

We're seeking individuals eager to make an impact, even if they don't tick every box on our job description. We believe in the power of diverse perspectives and the unique blend of lived experiences, non-traditional education pathways, practical know-how, and a variety of skills and abilities that each candidate brings to the table. If you're ready to learn and grow with us, we encourage you to apply and be part of our dynamic team. 

Knowledge

1. Law degree and admission to the New York state bar required (candidates with pending admission status may be considered);
2. One year of legal experience. 

Skills

1. Excellent legal research, legal writing, and analytical skills;
2. Excellent oral communication and advocacy;
3. Ability to multitask, organize, prioritize, and manage time effectively;
4. Ability to engage with external parties in a professional and empathetic manner;
5. Diligence and attention to detail;
6. Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a small team. 

Abilities

1. Prosecute enforcement actions against campaigns and independent spenders;
2. Make presentations before the 5-member Campaign Finance Board regarding formal and informal complaints and/or investigations, which includes the review and analysis of all submissions by adversaries; draft administrative determinations; issue recommendations on civil penalties and other appropriate enforcement actions; meet and correspond with campaigns regarding enforcement matters;
3. Represent the agency in administrative hearings, collection actions, Article 78 proceedings, and other litigation matters as necessary;
4. Draft and analyze rules, legislation, and advisory opinions;
5. Conduct research and draft memoranda regarding the law and policy; and
6. Provide legal counsel to the agency on matters relating to records retention, privacy and identifying information compliance, procurement and contracting procedures, employment law, freedom of information law, conflicts of interest, and other areas as necessary. 

Other Characteristics

1. Ability to present detailed legal arguments in an administrative hearing;
2. Creativity, teamwork, and empathy;
3. Demonstrated interest in public service and commitment to the CFB’s mission 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

These are qualifications that would be helpful but are not essential to being successful in the role. Candidates with these qualifications will be given preference in the selection process.

• Experience in NYC government, election law, campaign finance or a related field;
• Experience in administrative law and/or regulatory enforcement;
• Experience in legislation and regulation; 

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

• While completing the application, candidates are invited to provide a cover letter via “attachment” or the “Message to the Hiring Team” field on SmartRecruiters.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

[*Depending on the civil service job title code, this section will be auto-populated]

1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college including or supplemented by at least twelve-semester credits (or the equivalent of twelve-semester credits) in accounting, auditing, business or public administration, computer science, economics, finance, statistics, graphic design, personnel or human resources administration, user experience design, or a closely related area of study and one year of satisfactory full-time experience in accounting, auditing (including compliance or investigative auditing), business or public administration, business analysis, computer science, database administration, economics, finance, fiscal or economic management or research, statistics, graphic design, personnel or human resources administration, user experience design, or a closely related field; or
2. A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and five years of experience as described in “1” above; or
3. Education and/or experience equivalent to “1” above.

TO APPLY

All applicants must apply through NYC Government Jobs | Explore Careers | City of New York

• Please search and apply to the job ID number listed above.
• Resume and cover letter are required for consideration.
• Note that only applicants under consideration will be contacted.

For more information on careers with the NYC Campaign Finance Board visit our website at https://www.nyccfb.info/ to access the full listing of job opportunities and to learn more about our agency.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The City of New York provides generous medical benefits (including dental and vision through respective unions or funds), retirement, tuition reimbursement, and additional ancillary benefits. CFB offers a flexible and hybrid work schedule, opportunities for career development, learning & development (leadership training and coaching), wellness programs, and much more! 

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 StudentAid.gov/PSLF. 

The CFB is an equal opportunity employer firmly committed to diversity. All individuals are encouraged to apply. If you anticipate needing any type of reasonable accommodation to apply for an employment opportunity, please contact Access@nyccfb.info or (212) 409-1800. 

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.