Animal Cruelty Prosecution Initiative Director - Office of the District Attorney, Bronx County

JOB SUMMARY:

The Bronx District Attorney’s Office seeks a well-qualified staff whose diverse backgrounds contribute to serve the 1.4 million residents of the Bronx County community and who will pursue a safer Bronx through fair justice. The Bronx County District Attorney’s Office (BXDA) Animal Cruelty Prosecution Initiative (ACPI), within the Investigations Division, is seeking an experienced attorney (7+ years) to serve as Director. Reporting to the Investigations Division Chief and the Deputy Division Chief, the Director will lead, oversee, and supervise a multidisciplinary team consisting of Assistant District Attorneys, investigators, and professional staff members in the investigation and prosecution of crimes committed against animals in Bronx County which may include animal fighting, gross neglect and abandonment, the failure to provide adequate food, water, shelter, and veterinary care, as well as intentionally abusing, torturing, injuring of animals. The Director will also lead and oversee ACPI’s efforts to prevent animal abuse through education, training, community engagement, and collaboration with community-based organizations. Moreover, the Director will work closely with law enforcement agencies and other organizations including the NYPD Animal Cruelty Investigation Detective Squad (ACIS) and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Specific duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Oversee, supervise, and direct all investigations and prosecutions conducted by ACPI. Serve as a resource to bureaus and Divisions throughout the Office to assist with animal cruelty cases, if necessary.
• Maintain a caseload.
• Motivate, organize, and direct ACPI staff to perform their jobs competently and with integrity.
• Maintain current knowledge of investigative methods and proper application of relevant law including Article 26 of the Agriculture and Markets Law.
• Participate in meetings and conferences between the DA’s Office and law enforcement agencies and organizations including ACIS, ASPCA, the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys’ Animal Abuse Prosecution Project.
• Train staff in relevant federal and state statutory law and case law for criminal procedure and penal law.
• Advise and assist legal and non-legal staff in the handling of their assigned cases and duties.
• Conduct in-depth case reviews and conferences.
• Implement Office policies as directed.
• Clear and effective oral and written communication.
• Communicate across multiple organizational levels, both internally and externally.
• Maintain solid relationships with NYPD, and other local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.
• Maintain records of any investigations or cases handled throughout the Office that are animal cruelty related.
• Perform other duties as required
• Available nights, weekends, and holidays.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Juris Doctorate degree required.
• 7+ years of experience, 12 months in a managerial role required.
• Active and Good Standing in the New York State Bar.
• US Citizenship and New York State Residency are required as of first day of employment.
• Significant experience conducting and overseeing criminal investigations and prosecutions including evidence-based cases.
• Significant grand jury experience.
• Significant trial experience.
• Experience developing and managing complex investigations.
• A firm grasp of the Agriculture and Markets Laws related to animals.
• Significant experience drafting, reviewing and assessing the legal sufficiency of search warrants..
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of information.
• Strong business planning and forecasting skills.
• Strong legal writing skills.
• Excellent computer skills with knowledge of Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel.
• Excellent presentation and organizational skills.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and strong ethics.
• Excellent people skills and demeanor.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to solve complex issues arising from investigations and case management problems from inception through conclusion both professionally and fairly.
• Knowledge of NYS courts and the criminal justice system.

To Apply

We appreciate your interest in a position with the Bronx District Attorney's Office. To apply, cut and paste the following link into the browser: https://cityjobs.nyc.gov/job/assistant-district-attorney-animal-cruelty-prosecution-initiative-in-bronx-jid-25709 or go to https://cityjobs.nyc.gov/ à Locate the "Search open jobs" field à Enter the Job ID 647585.

Please upload a cover letter, resume, and names and telephone numbers of 3 professional references to your application.

Upon your completion of the city application through Smartrecruiter, we will review your application and contact you if you are selected for an interview. If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to contact Recruitment at 718-590-2258 or via email at bxdarecruit@bronxda.nyc.gov.

**LOAN FORGIVENESS: The federal government provides student loan forgiveness through its Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PLF) to all qualifying public service employees. Working with Bronx District Attorney’s Office qualifies you as a public service employee and you may be able to take advantage of this program while working full-time and meeting the program's other requirements. Please visit the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program site to view the eligibility requirements: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service.

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.