Metropolitan Transportation Authority Careers

Please note that this position is only open to MTA employees.

Opening:

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is North America's largest transportation network, serving a population of 15.3 million people across a 5,000-square-mile travel area surrounding New York City, Long Island, southeastern New York State, and Connecticut. The MTA network comprises the nation’s largest bus fleet and more subway and commuter rail cars than all other U.S. transit systems combined. MTA strives to provide a safe and reliable commute, excellent customer service, and rewarding opportunities.

Position Objective:

The Assistant Deputy General Counsel (ADGC) position reports to a Deputy General Counsel in the consolidated MTA Legal Department. The structure of the Labor and Employment Division currently includes an ADGC.  Based on the needs of the MTA and the MTA Legal Department, other Divisions may be restructured to include the ADGC title. 

The ADGC’s duties include providing direct legal services on Matters that are appropriate for assignment to a Senior Counsel, Level III, in the ADGC’s Division, which are described in the MTA Job Descriptions for that position. 

In addition to these duties, the ADGC’s duties include supervising Associate Counsels and Senior Counsels in the Division and/or independently handling or supervising outside counsel on extremely complex Matters with very high operational, financial, or policy exposure, including high-profile real estate and development projects, MTA mission-critical agreements and procurements, and high-exposure litigations and investigations.

Responsibilities:

• Directly supervise a team of two or more Associate Counsels or Senior Counsels and/or independently handle or supervise outside counsel on extremely complex matters with very high operational, financial, or policy exposure, including high-profile real estate and development projects, MTA mission-critical agreements and procurements, and high-exposure litigations and investigations.
• Responsible for keeping the Deputy General Counsel, First Deputy General Counsel, MTA General Counsel, and the MTA Agency General Counsels (New York City Transit Authority, Metro-North Railroad (MNR), Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), Bridges and Tunnels) advised about relevant activity in the matters handled by themself or by members of their team.
• Manages the assignment of work among team members or outside counsel to assure appropriate and timely handling of demands for legal services, while appropriately containing outside counsel's spending.
• Responsible for keeping leadership in the following areas advised about relevant activity in the ADGC’s areas of oversight responsibility: MTA Administration (People, Procurement, Real Estate, Internal Communications, and Information Technology); MTA Integrated Business Functions (Policy & External Relations, Audit, Labor & Employment Relations, Accessibility, Finance, Diversity & Inclusion, Strategic Initiatives, Customer, and Safety & Security); and, together with the MTA Agency General Counsels, MTA Operations (New York City Transit Authority, Metro-North Railroad, Long Island Rail Road, Bridges and Tunnels), including the status of litigation, legislative and regulatory developments, and other matters.
• Responsible for matters and projects as assigned by the Deputy General Counsel or MTA General Counsel.
• Manage, support, and participate in the hiring, training, and development of MTA Legal Department staff.  Conduct performance reviews and disciplinary actions.  Ensure that the workplace is a professional environment in which individual differences are respected, and employees have an opportunity to develop and contribute to their full potential.
• Participate in and support the development and implementation of special policy and program initiatives to address operational issues in the MTA Legal Department and across the MTA.
• Draft, review, and provide legal guidance, support, and coordination as needed for legislative proposals, internal and external audits and investigations, financial reports, and MTA board and committee functions such as staff summaries.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Strong leadership and management skills, with a record of supervising or mentoring legal professionals and communicating with and advising an organization’s senior management.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interface effectively with people at all levels of the organization and external parties, including high-level government officials.
• Significant knowledge base and practice skills relating to the practice areas and responsibilities of this position.
• Demonstrated analytical, quantitative, and project management abilities.

Required Education and Experience:

• JD from an accredited law school and licensed to practice law in New York. 
• A minimum of eight (8) years of legal experience.

The Following is/are preferred:

• Law firm, in-house, or government legal experience with increasing levels of responsibility.
• Public sector legal experience, particularly in New York City or New York State.
• Transportation sector experience.

Other Information

May need to work outside of normal work hours (i.e., evenings and weekends)

May be assigned to work at any MTA Legal Department location.

May be assigned or reassigned to any Legal Department Division, Bureau, or Unit or be required to handle Matters in any Division, Bureau or Unit.

Travel may be required to other MTA locations or other external sites.

According to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics, all employees who hold a policymaking position must file an Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure (FDS) with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (the “Commission”).

Equal Employment Opportunity

MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including those concerning veteran status and individuals with disabilities.

The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.