General Counsel

The NYC Department of Buildings is responsible for ensuring the safe and lawful use of buildings and properties by enforcing the NYC Construction Codes, Energy Code and Zoning Resolution. We facilitate compliant development with integrity, efficiency and professionalism. We are committed to becoming a premier municipal building organization, dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for all New Yorkers and making our city safer. We are committed to improving our performance and developing procedures that are streamlined, understandable and transparent.

In 1982, the New York State Legislature enacted Article 7-C of the Multiple Dwelling Law (MDL), also known as the Loft Law. The law created a new class of buildings in New York City known as interim multiple dwellings (IMD). Absent the law, these IMDs would be considered illegal residences because they do not meet the fire safety and other health requirements for residential occupancy. The law has been amended several times, most recently in 2019. The Loft Law establishes a comprehensive framework for the legalization of IMD spaces to safe residences. The framework compels building owners to bring these spaces up to the minimum standards for residential occupancy. The Loft Board oversees and expedites the legalization process. In 2009, the Mayor promulgated an Executive Order that administratively moved the Loft Board into the Department of Buildings (DOB).

The Department seeks to fill the position of Executive Director and General Counsel, Loft Board. Working independently, under the guidance of the Deputy Commissioner (DC) for Legal & Regulatory Affairs, and the direct supervision of the Assistant Commissioner of Operations Compliance, this individual will oversee and supervise the work and staff in the Loft Board. Duties and responsibilities include:

- Work closely with the DC for Legal & Regulatory Affairs, the Assistant Commissioner of Operations Compliance, the NYC Law Department and other DOB staff on legislative and rule-making proposals; draft and track same.

- Keep senior staff informed with feedback and briefings on matters of significance as deemed appropriate.

- Ensure that staff and the Board are prepared for monthly Board meetings (review and edit all Loft Board opinions and orders; produce same to share location for use by Board members; maintain and report on statistics; create the Board Meeting agenda; review and edit board meeting minutes, etc.)

- Utilize available data analytics and other tools and resources to provide information to the Board, DOB senior staff and others.

- Provide training, guidance and assistance on Loft Law matters as necessary to City and non-City individuals or groups.

- Attend hearings and community events as necessary.

- Liaison with other City and State agencies and employees as necessary.

- Provide oversight to staff including timekeeping, website review and monitoring, and correspondence review.

- Identify areas of improvement in the legalization process.

- Draft Extension Application decisions.

- Work with the NYC Law Department on appeals of Loft Board decisions; conduct legal research

- Oversee and/or conduct Narrative Statement Conferences; meetings between tenants and owners.

- Review information given to DOB for temporary and final certificate of occupancy sign-off.

- Direct legal staff in bringing enforcement actions; review all enforcement action forms; negotiate settlements in enforcement actions; meet with owners who wish to negotiate enforcement penalty amounts.

Minimum Qual Requirements

Admission to the New York State Bar and

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and four years of satisfactory fulltime experience in program management or planning, allocation of resources, and the scheduling and assignment of work in the areas of law enforcement, general litigation, regulatory policy or loft conversion, at least eighteen months of which must have been in an administrative, executive, managerial or supervisory capacity requiring independent decision making; or

2. A combination of education and/or experience which is equivalent to “1” above. However, all candidates must have a baccalaureate degree and 18 months of administrative, executive, managerial or supervisory experience as described in “1” above.

Incumbents must remain a Member of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of this employment.

Preferred Skills

- Knowledge of the Loft Law, NYC Construction Codes, Zoning Resolution and other applicable laws and rules enforced by the Loft Board and the DOB.

- Excellent communication, writing, leadership, management, organizational and analytic skills required. Must be detail-oriented with the ability to work independently and handle multiple tasks, as well as develop and motivate staff and inspire team effort. Be able to communicate to technical and non-technical individuals, i.e., landlords, owners, architects, engineers, tenants, members of

the public, advocates, Loft Law bar, etc.

- 10 years of buildings related experience preferably in the public sector.

To Apply

For Non-City/External Candidates: Visit the External Applicant NYC Careers site (nyc.gov/jobs/search) and search for the specific Job ID #

For Current City Employees: Visit Employee Self-Service (ESS) to view and apply for available positions. Click on Recruiting Activities, Careers, and search for the specific Job ID #

No phone calls, faxes or personal inquiries permitted.

NOTE: ONLY THOSE CANDIDATES UNDER CONSIDERATION WILL BE CONTACTED

Residency Requirement

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.