University FOIL and Records Access Attorney (Repost)

POSITION DETAILS

The City University of New York (CUNY) is seeking a public service attorney to fill a FOIL and Records Access Attorney position. The attorney will respond to requests for access to public CUNY Central Office records made under the New York State Freedom of Information Law ("FOIL") and ensure compliance with Federal, State, local laws, and University policies and guidelines regarding the retention and disposition of records, and identification and preservation of records of historic importance. Working in coordination with the Office of the General Counsel and the Central Office Records Access Unit, the FOIL and Records Access Attorney will also assist with administering the records access and management program of Central Office.

The University FOIL and Records Access Attorney will report to the University FOIL and Records Access Officer and will work with the University General Counsel to coordinate related FOIL and records access requests. The FOIL work involves responding to FOIL requests for access to CUNY Central Office public records and assisting the University FOIL and Records Access Officer with the collection of records and substantive responses to FOIL requests for access to the entire CUNY University public records. The records management work involves assisting with the coordination of continuous legal destruction of obsolete records per the CUNY Records Retention and Disposition Schedule. This includes updating existing policies and procedures, the development of new policies and procedures regarding records retention and disposition, training and advising employees on existing or new policies and procedures, conducting surveys and analyses of all records collection matters, performing ongoing checks of non-current and archival public records kept, made, filed or received by the offices and departments of the Central Office to determine their value, use, and most suitable methods of preservation, storage and disposition.

In addition to the CUNY Title Overview information, other key duties include, but will not be limited to the following:

• Receives FOIL requests for access to CUNY Central Office public records, ascertains the existence of requested public records, and reviews records for appropriateness, responsiveness and lawful redaction.
• Evaluates and processes requests for access to public records, recommends determinations regarding the legal eligibility for release, and assists the University FOIL and Records Access Officer grant access or issues written denials of requests with the legal justification for withholding or denying records.
• Corresponds with requestors about the status and progress of their FOIL requests and provides written acknowledgments with a time estimate for production or access.
• Maintains the privacy and security of sensitive institutional information and assists the University FOIL and Records Access Officer to withhold certain requested records, or redacts identifying information in records, in accordance with legal data protections and privacy laws.
• Prepares legal analyses and reports on FOIL and records retention activities.
• Provides legal administrative support to the University FOIL and Records Access Officer, attorneys working on FOIL issues, and OGC attorneys on legal matters.
• Assists attorneys and employees working on FOIL requests with access to the FOIL portal, GovQA, and with GovQA training materials.
• Must be able to travel to various Central Office satellite locations and college campuses across the five boroughs of New York City.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

NOTES:

1. Until further notice, this position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule.
2. This position is excluded from union representation in the collective bargaining unit.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum:

• A Juris Doctorate (JD) Degree from an ABA-accredited law school and three (3) years of FOIL experience or comparable experience required.
• Current New York State Bar membership in good standing required, or admission in another jurisdiction with eligibility for admission to the NYS bar through reciprocity.

Preferred:

• Experience with FOIL and disclosure issues, laws and procedures in a public organization or government agency (incl. Section 87(2) of Public Officers Law), NY State Education Department laws, plus Federal, State and local data protection and privacy laws (FERPA, HIPPA, etc.), and subpoena process.
• Alternative to FOIL experience consists of: Document Review experience and/or responding to subpoenas for confidential records, experience with reviewing documents for responsiveness and privilege, and experience with redacting privileged and other confidential information/records.
• Experience with Adobe Acrobat, document review software, and electronic databases.
• Current knowledge of GovQA, NYC Open Records or other records access systems, Purview, NY State archive guidelines, and CUNY Records Retention and Disposition Schedule, policies and procedures.
• Experience and/or familiarity with records management and document archival, conservation and storage methods.
• Strong work ethic, character and personal integrity to handle confidential documents and matters and perform work with the utmost professionalism, confidentiality and diplomacy.
• Detail oriented and accurate with strong legal research, critical analysis, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong writing, interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills to work effectively, collaboratively and independently, with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Flexible and resourceful with strong organizational and follow-through skills to prioritize work, manage multiple assignments and meet deadlines in a fast paced, time-sensitive, and high-volume environment.
• Experience with:
• developing new policies and procedures and updating existing policies and procedures.
• advising or training employees.
• Computer proficiency using legal, administrative, financial or academic software programs, systems or databases.

CUNY TITLE OVERVIEW

Provides in-house legal assistance on a wide variety of issues and participates in evaluating and developing University policy related to legal matters.

• Prepares legal documents, contracts, agreements, and other transactions, and gives legal advice to management and campus executives;
• Provides legal and policy analysis of issues and participates in developing and drafting policies;
• Reviews contracts, agreements, and other transactions, identifying risks and proposing risk mitigation options;
• Maintains a caseload as per prescribed procedures;
• Assists outside counsel and works as a team with other in-house and College campus attorneys;
• May be assigned to specialize (e.g., construction, commercial and transaction matters, contract negotiation and drafting, compliance, academic policy, etc.);
• Performs related duties as assigned.

CUNY TITLE

Higher Education Associate

FLSA

Exempt

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The salary range is $109,898 - $118,070 , commensurate with qualifications, education and experience.

CUNY is in the process of implementing salary schedule increases. Once implemented, salaries of eligible employees will be adjusted by 3.5% effective 9/1/26, in accordance with the terms of the PSC-CUNY collective bargaining agreement.

CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.

HOW TO APPLY

For full consideration, submit a cover letter and resume online via CUNY's web-based job system, addressing how your experience and credentials meet the responsibilities and qualifications outlined.

The direct link to the job opening from external sources is:

https://hrsa.cunyfirst.cuny.edu/psc/erecruit/EMPLOYEE/HRMSCG/c/HRS\HRAM\FL.HRS\CG\SEARCH\FL.GBL?Page=HRS\APP\JBPST\FL&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=1&JobOpeningId=31870&PostingSeq=1

Current CUNY employees must apply through CUNYfirst Employee Self Service using their login credentials. After you login, click the Careers tile on the Employee Self Service Menu page to view job openings

CLOSING DATE

July 12, 2026.

JOB SEARCH CATEGORY

CUNY Job Posting: Managerial/Professional

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.

Job ID: 31870

Location: Central Office

Job Type: Full-Time

About CUNY City University of New York - System

The City University of New York provides high-quality, accessible education for more than 269,000 degree-credit students and 270,000 adult, continuing and professional education students at 25 campuses across New York City. The University is an integrated system of senior and community colleges, graduate and professional schools, research centers, institutes and consortia. From certificate courses to Ph.D. programs, CUNY offers postsecondary learning to students of all backgrounds. It provides the city with graduates trained for high-demand positions in the sciences, technology, mathematics, teaching, nursing and other fields. As CUNY has grown, the University also has strengthened its mission as a premier research institution, building an array of modern facilities and expanding the ranks of its world-class faculty. Throughout its history, the University has been an integral part of the city and state through partnerships with public schools, economic development initiatives, immigration aid and financial advice services and other community outreach programs. Today, CUNY faculty and staff continue to benefit New York City — as well as the entire nation — by serving as policy exper...ts to business and government, advisers to nonprofit institutions, civic organizations and community groups. Students, too, are strongly encouraged to experience the cultural, educational and community-based opportunities of the five boroughs, through a network of internships and fellowships, to embracing the city as their campus.

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