N.Y. Social Services Law § 77: City commissioners of public welfare; appointment of staff

§ 77. City commissioners of public welfare; appointment of staff. 1.

There shall be a city commissioner of public welfare in each city public

welfare district, who shall administer the public assistance and care

for which the city public welfare district is responsible.

2. The officer appointed, in accordance with section one hundred

sixteen of this chapter, to administer public assistance and care in a

city which is constituted a city public welfare district, shall have the

powers and perform the duties of the city commissioner of public

welfare.

3. When the duties of a city commissioner are by the provisions of

special or local law relating to the city assigned to more than one

department of the city government, the administrative officer of each

such department shall have such of the powers and perform such of the

duties of a city commissioner as may be applicable to the work assigned

to such department, and all the provisions of this chapter shall be so

interpreted.

4. The city commissioner of public welfare shall appoint deputy

commissioners, assistants and employees authorized by the legislative

body of the city and shall direct their work. When authorized by such

legislative body such city commissioner may appoint attorneys to perform

duties other than those assigned to the corporation counsel or city

attorney. However, if such city commissioner shall approve and if

authorized by such legislative body, such attorneys may, in addition to

performing the duties assigned to them by such city commissioner, be

deputized by the corporation counsel or city attorney to perform duties

on his behalf in connection with the work of the welfare department.

The city commissioner shall appoint physicians to visit sick persons in

their homes when authorized by the legislative body of such city.