Job Description

The Office of Asylum Seeker Operations (OASO) is leading New York City’s response to, and service provision for, the influx of asylum seekers. New York City’s response is unique throughout the nation and includes complex services for asylum seekers, including but not limited to: legal supports, advocacy, shelter, education, workforce training, clothing and food donations, and collaboration with faith-based and community-based organizations.

OASO coordinates between agencies, makes sure that agencies have the resources they need, and manages the City’s advocacy to the state and federal governments. OASO also leads strategic planning for the City’s response, including long-term planning and policy drafting.

The Office of Asylum Seeker Operations (OASO) is recruiting for (1) Strategic Initiative Specialist to function as a Special Advisor, Immigration Policy, who will:

• Report to the OASO Executive Director, the Special Advisor, Immigration Policy will assist in

shaping the City’s legal and policy response to the sustained increase in recent arrivals to City

shelters. Work closely with inter- and intra-agency partners and senior leadership, the

Special Advisor’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Recommend, present, and promote strategic new policies or policy changes to facilitate

pathways for recently arrived immigrants to access information, secure independent housing,

and achieve safety and well-being.

• Help implementation teams understand the ways that new federal policies effect operations.

• Work closely with the City’s Federal Legislative Affairs team to track and advocate on federal

appropriations and administrative and legislative activity related to immigration.

• Assess the Federal fiscal and social impact of proposed administrative and legislative policy

changes; propose new policies and programs; recommend changes in existing policies and

programs according to research findings and recommendations.

• Plan and coordinate meetings and engagements with key intergovernmental and

governmental stakeholders to identify federal immigration policy opportunities and barriers, and

brainstorm ideas with these key stakeholders to assist in the development of the City’s response

and engagement.

• Bring in best practices nationwide to the city’s response including resettlement networks and

nonprofit resources.

Salary Range:

$80,931 - $180,000

Work Hours/Shift:

Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm

Work Location:

22 Reade Street

Qualifications

Admission to the New York State Bar; and four years of recent full-time responsible, relevant, satisfactory legal experience subsequent to admission to any bar, eighteen months of which must have been in the supervision of other attorneys, in an administrative, managerial or executive capacity, or performing highly complex and significant legal work.

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

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.