Full job description DC 37 Health & Security Plan's Municipal Employees Legal Services (MELS) provides legal representation to over 200,000 eligible DC 37 members, retirees and their families. We are currently seeking an experienced attorney to be the Director of MELS Operations and Counsel whose primary mission is to ensure that high quality legal services are provided to our clients by the MELS staff consisting of 100 employees including 60+ attorneys, 20+ legal assistants, social workers, and administrative staff.
The MELS Director of Operations and Counsel along with the MELS Chief Legal Counsel will be responsible for managing MELS' departments, teams and processes with the objective of identifying and implementing opportunities for improvement, efficiencies and professional development all toward the provision of quality legal services for DC 37 members. Working with and reporting to the DC 37 Health & Security Plan Administrator and Associate Administrator, the MELS Director is expected to engage in strategic planning, technology management and data analytics as well as performing oversight of MELs' legal practice, recruitment, staff development and provide critical leadership.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities: 1. Oversight of MELS daily operations with MELS Chief Legal Counsel regularly assessing and evaluating MELS' legal practice.
2. Lead strategic projects and initiatives, creating work plans and deliverables with the goal of optimizing MELS' productivity and proposing innovative technological solutions.
3. Evaluate information technology needs of MELS, staff training needs, and thereafter implement and organize training.
4.Develop change management plans for each initiative that acknowledges all aspects of the change process (e.g., analysis, strategy, implementation, training and launch). Using standards such as Lean Six Sigma and the Plan Do Study Act method to increase productivity of MELS.
5. Collaborate with H&S Administration to build short and long term work plans and roadmaps for the future of MELS that align with overall H&S strategy.
6. Provide efficient, effective, and clearly communicated implementation guidance for the MELS attorney teams through sound assessment of the environment and expectations.
7. Increase MELS operations productivity under the following rubrics: strategic planning and technology and management analytics.
8. Evaluate and improve MELS intake process, and the assignment and management of attorneys' caseloads.
9. Create strategies and processes to manage recruiting, oversee onboarding, training, retention, and mentoring of new Team members.
10. Coordinate the delivery of MELS staff training, professional development and CLEs to attorneys.
Qualifications Desired: - JurisDoctor and member in good standing of NYS Bar (NJ admission also desirable).
- 10+ years of civil law practice in New York City, including litigation, community/legal engagement/service delivery to working people.
- 5+ years of law office management experience with a deep understanding of legal services, legal department structure, processes, best practices, and industry norms.
- Experience in workflow analysis and developing future office processes and procedures.
- Ability to apply technological tools to solve administrative problems.
- Experience in supervising and mentoring, professional development training and mentoring legal assistants and attorneys.
- Commitment to explore alternative approaches for improving legal practice and services.
- Strong ability to develop improvement strategies using Lean Six Sigma, PDSA or other established CQI methods.
- Excellent MS Office skills including PowerPoint, Excel, analytics and dashboard experience.
- Extensive ability to configure workflows using process management software.
- Detail oriented with excellent organization, presentation, critical and analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to prioritize and handle multiple complex tasks and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Superior writing and verbal communications.
- Strong sense of accountability, taking ownership over projects, resolving issues proactively, and knowing when to ask for assistance or escalate.
- Demonstrated leadership ability, interest in public service, and representing working people.
Compensation and Other Benefits: The annual salary for this position will be dependent upon experience and between $175,000 - $195,000 . DC 37 MELS/Health & Security Plan provides employees with excellent family health insurance at zero ($0) cost including supplemental benefits such as dental, optical, prescription drug, personal counseling services, and legal services. A defined benefit pension plan and 401k is also provided. MELS has a generous paid time policy (e.g. sick, personal, holidays and vacation). The selected candidate must be prepared to begin this role by no later than June 15, 2024. Please note our offices are located at 125 Barclay Street in downtown Manhattan.
How to Apply? Interested candidates must forward a current resume and letter of interest to DC 37 H&S Administration Executive Assistant Connie Fontana () by no later than . When submitting, please use the subject line " MELS Director of Operations and Counsel" Applicant.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $175,000.00 - $195,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Dental insurance Life insurance Paid time off Tuition reimbursement Vision insurance Schedule:
Monday to Friday License/Certification:
Bar (Preferred) Ability to Commute:
New York, NY 10041 (Required) Ability to Relocate:
New York, NY 10041: Relocate before starting work (Required) Work Location: In person
