The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervisions' Office of Special Investigations (OSI) is seeking qualified candidates for consideration to serve as an Investigative Counsel, in OSI assigned to OSI’s new Quality Assurance Team. OSI’s principal goal is to prevent, detect, identify, expose, and eliminate criminal activity, misconduct, physical and sexual abuse, corruption, fraud, waste, and other improper behavior within DOCCS.
The purpose of OSI’s Quality Assurance Team is to ensure the highest quality review and quality control across OSI’s function. Quality control reviews of case files, evidence, and reports improve the quality and thoroughness of OSI’s investigations. The Investigative Counsel’s perspectives would assist with the analysis of the witness statements, physical evidence, documents, videos, etc., to ensure that OSI’s assessment and weighing of the evidence are rigorous and evidence supports both administrative and criminal charges to hold offenders accountable and provide information to help improve the Department’s operations. When investigations uncover criminal conduct, OSI refers matters for prosecution to the applicable federal, state and/or local prosecutor; OSI Investigative Counsel will work with other OSI staff and the relevant prosecutors towards successful outcomes.
OSI Investigative Counsels will focus on investigations of physical and sexual assaults. In addition to performing Quality Assurance reviews, the attorney would also bolster the investigative work by adding an attorney’s perspective to the evidence. Investigative Counsels will be assigned to work with an investigative team on major cases and assist OSI’s investigative staff in drafting reports and formulating recommendations to Departmental executives to improve policies and procedures. Investigative Counsels will also collaborate with OSI’s analysts on special projects will enable OSI to mitigate risk and prevent significant incidents and assess the current culture of a facility.
Candidates must be admitted to practice and in good standing with the bar of the State of New York, with a minimum of five years of legal experience. Candidates with a background in criminal investigations or prosecutions, civil rights violations, corporate compliance, civil litigation involving government entities or the inspector general field are particularly encouraged to apply. Sound judgement, excellent communication skills, the ability to review and analyze large quantities of information, and the highest ethical standards are required. The ability to effectively work in multi-disciplinary teams is required. The ability to work in a dynamic and busy field, balancing a sense of urgency with thoroughness and accuracy is critical. This position requires a high degree of organizational skills, as well as being available to respond immediately to incidents and possibly remain in the area as needed. The ability to handle confidential information is essential. All OSI investigative staff must possess, at a minimum, knowledge of the applicable laws, the highest levels of behavior including personal integrity and ethics; fairness; character; judgment; attitude; and respect for and ability to work with others inside and outside OSI.
Appropriate licensure and certifications (including being or becoming a peace officer qualified to carry a firearm) are also required. OSI is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion by ensuring equal justice and opportunity without discrimination against any person based on their protected class. All applicants must pass background checks.
We are striving to attract highly qualified candidates with a range of experiences, who are looking to pursue justice and who share our core values: integrity, honesty, respect, diversity, equality, and fairness.
OSI Investigative Counsel's salary range: (M1) $90,931 - $114,940 (Not overtime eligible)
