The New York City Department of Correction (DOC) is an integral part of the City’s evolving criminal justice system, participating in reform initiatives and strategies aimed to move the City towards a smaller jail system without compromising public safety. The DOC is responsible for maintaining a safe and secure environment for our employees, visitors, volunteers and people in our custody. Importantly, safe jails enable DOC to provide people in custody with the tools and opportunities they need to successfully re-enter their communities. The DOC operates facilities and court commands across the five boroughs with more than 9,000 diverse professionals and knowledgeable experts.
The DOC seeks to recruit a Labor Relations Attorney to represent the agency and assist in the administration of collective bargaining agreements and labor contracts covering approximately 12,000 employees in over one hundred civil service titles. Under direction of the Executive Director of Labor Relations and with the latitude to exercise independent judgment, the incumbent will:
• Provide advice to agency uniformed and non-uniformed managers; interpret labor contracts, rules and
regulations and attend meetings;
• Serve as liaison between the department and various labor unions. Conduct Step II conferences on
grievances and disciplinary matters of non-uniformed employees and write determinations;
• Evaluate disciplinary matters for legal sufficiency. Draft charges and represent the agency at third-step
grievance hearings and trials at the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings;
• Investigate and research labor related matters, grievances and related issues;
• Respond to union grievances including health and safety matters;
• Handle workplace violence issues and meetings;
• Act as liaison with the NYC Office of Labor Relations regarding collective bargaining and labor relations
matters and handle accretion petitions, arbitrations and hearings at the Office of Collective Bargaining;
• Consult with the General Counsel, where appropriate concerning the legal framework of negotiation
strategies;
• Collaborate with the Corporation Counsel and the Department’s General Counsel on litigation matters
with union-related implications
• Represent the unit in orientation and training sessions of agency staff;
• Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qual Requirements
1. Admission to the New York State Bar; and either “2” or “3” below.
2. One year of satisfactory United States legal experience subsequent to admission to any state bar; or
3. Six months of satisfactory service as an Agency Attorney Interne (30086).
Incumbents must remain Members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of this employment.
In addition to meeting the minimum Qualification Requirements:
To be assigned to Assignment Level (AL) II, candidates must have one year of experience at Assignment Level I or two years of comparable legal experience subsequent to admission to the bar, in the areas of law related to the assignment. To be assigned to AL III candidates must have two years of experience in Assignment Levels I and/or II or three years of comparable legal experience subsequent to admission to the bar, in the areas of law related to the assignment.
Preferred Skills
• Professional experience in Labor Relations, Human Resources, employment law
and collective bargaining negotiations in a governmental setting is a plus.
• Experience in drafting charges, conducting disciplinary conferences and/or
representation the agency in trials/administrative hearings is also important.
• Knowledge of citywide policies and procedures issued by the Department of
Citywide Administrative Services, and the Office of Labor Relations including the
knowledge of Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA).
• Ability to work independently; establish and maintain working relationships;
interpret complex rules, contracts, arbitration awards and other official mandates
in a fast-paced environment and proficiency in Microsoft Office, Excel and PowerPoint.
Additional Information
The City of New York offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance for the employee and his/her spouse or domestic partner and unemancipated children under age 26, union benefits such as dental and vision coverage, paid annual leave and sick leave, paid holidays, a pension, and optional savings and pre-tax programs such as Deferred Compensation, IRA, and a flexible spending account.
To Apply
For City employees: Go to Employee Self-Service (ESS) – www.nyc.gov/ess and search for Job ID# 593028.
For all other applicants: Go to www.nyc.gov/careers and search for Job ID # 593028.
Submission of a resume is not a guarantee that you will receive an interview.
Only candidates under consider will be contacted.
Residency Requirement
New York City residency is not required for required for this position.
POSTING DATE
07/12/2023
POST UNTIL
10/10/2023
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.