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Agency Counsel

City of New York

New York, NY · HybridJob$97–111K/yrSeen 5 days agoSeen in employer's feed 5 days ago

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At a glance

Compensation
$97–111K/yr
Location
New York, NYHybrid
Work Authorization
Not specified

Olive lists jobs from US employers, including remote roles you can work from the United States.

Requirements

Credentials this posting asks for.

New York State Bar AdmissionNew York Bar Good Standing

Job overview

The Department of City Planning’s Counsel’s Office advises the department, the City Planning Commission, government agencies, and private entities on zoning, land use, planning, development, environmental review, and agency procedures. The Agency Attorney, Level IV, works under the Agency Counsel with minimal supervision and wide latitude for independent judgment, handling legal analysis, application guidance, litigation support, document drafting, compliance, and agency projects.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Legal ResearchLegal AnalysisLegal DraftingZoningLand UseEnvironmental ReviewContract ReviewRegulatory InterpretationLitigation Support

Qualifications

New York State Bar AdmissionOne Year US Legal Experience or Six Months Agency Attorney Interne ServiceAL II Experience or Comparable Legal ExperienceAL III Experience or Comparable Legal ExperienceUS Work AuthorizationNew York Bar Good Standing

Full job description

Job Description

THE AGENCY

The Department of City Planning (DCP) plans for the future of New York City, working to create thriving and dynamic neighborhoods with access to housing and jobs, resilient infrastructure, and a vibrant public realm. The Department engages communities to develop inclusive plans, expands housing access and economic opportunity, and plans for long-term sustainability.

DCP supports the City Planning Commission in its annual review of hundreds of land use applications. The Department also advises on citywide strategic and capital planning, analyzes data, conducts policy analysis, and creates open data and civic engagement tools.

The Department of City Planning offers staff meaningful opportunities to help shape the future of New York City and address some of its most pressing challenges. The Department values public service, collaboration, and creativity, and supports professional development. Learn more about DCP at www.nyc.gov/planning.

THE DIVISION

The Counsel's Office advises DCP, the City Planning Commission, other governmental agencies, and private entities on all issues related to zoning, land use review, planning, development, environmental review, and agency administration and procedures. Attorneys in the Counsel’s Office have the opportunity to advise on cutting-edge legal issues; represent the agency at public meetings of the City Planning Commission; help craft policy solutions that address the evolving planning needs of New York City; and drive reform in planning policy and process.

THE ROLE

The Agency Attorney, Level IV, under direction of Agency Counsel, will be responsible for performing the tasks listed below, with minimal supervision and wide latitude for independent judgment:

  • Lead the review and interpretation of existing laws, rules and regulations, and the development of new legislative or regulatory proposals applicable to DCP;

  • Provide legal guidance in connection with public and private zoning and land use applications;

  • Assist the City’s Law Department in litigation involving DCP, including collection of the administrative record and reviewing affidavits and memos of law;

  • Negotiate and draft notices of restrictions, restrictive declarations, correspondence and other documents associated with zoning and land use applications and City Environmental Quality Review (CEQR);

  • Research legal cases, opinions and decisions;

  • Analyze legal documents and assist in preparing and reviewing DCP contracts;

  • Assist staff with compliance with agency policy and professional standards, as well as DCP compliance with Freedom of Information Law and other administrative requirements;

  • Participate in conducting special studies and projects;

  • Assist with agency personnel and disciplinary matters; and

  • Perform related tasks.

TO APPLY:

Please visit: https://www1.nyc.gov/jobs/ and follow the steps below:

  1. Search for job ID number: 786843

  2. Click on the job business title: Agency Counsel

  3. Click on “Apply Now” at the bottom of the posting

Authorization to work in the United States is required for this position. The NYC Department of City Planning does not offer sponsorship, of any kind, for any type of employment opportunity. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that they meet all minimum qualifying requirements for this position at the time of application.

Only applicants under consideration will be contacted. Appointments are subject to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval.

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.

This position may be eligible for remote work up to 2 days per week, pursuant to the Remote Work Pilot Program agreed to between the City and labor unions.

NOTE: If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation during your visit or have questions regarding the accessibility of our facilities, please reach out to [email protected] or call 212-720-3508 at least three business days prior to your arrival.

AGENCY ATTORNEY - 30087

Qualifications

  1. Admission to the New York State Bar; and either "2" or "3" below.

  2. One year of satisfactory United States legal experience subsequent to admission to any state bar; or

  3. Six months of satisfactory service as an Agency Attorney Interne (30086).

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

In addition to meeting the minimum Qualification Requirements:

To be assigned to Assignment Level (AL) II, candidates must have one year of experience at Assignment Level I or two years of comparable legal experience subsequent to admission to the bar, in the areas of law related to the assignment. To be assigned to AL III candidates must have two years of experience in Assignment Levels I and/or II or three years of comparable legal experience subsequent to admission to the bar, in the areas of law related to the assignment.

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.

Salary Min: $ 96,638.00

Salary Max: $111,133.00

How this job compares

Set against the 2,531 open Legal Counsel jobs on Olive Jobs, counted October 27, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$97–111K/yr
  • New York median$160–225K/yr246 salary ranges
  • US median$152–231K/yr1,794 salary ranges

This range's midpoint, $104K, is 46% below the New York median midpoint ($193K) — in the lowest quarter of Legal Counsel salary ranges in New York.

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 319 open Legal Counsel jobs in New York and 2,531 across the US. 6% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most in New York
Experience
This posting asks for at least 1 year of experience — less than three in four Legal Counsel postings that state a minimum ask for (median 5 years, across 2,206 postings).
Education
1,834 of the 2,531 open Legal Counsel jobs (72%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on October 27, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.

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