DIRECTOR OF LABOR RELATIONS

About the role

The Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) is the largest Fire Department in the United States and universally recognized as the world's busiest and most highly skilled emergency response agency. The Department's main goal is to provide fire protection, emergency medical care, and other critical public safety services to residents and visitors in the five boroughs. This role reports directly to the Deputy Commissioner of Management and Budget and provides guidance and strategic direction on all FDNY labor matters.

Responsibilities

• Administer collective bargaining agreements covering civilian and uniformed employees, as well as Comptroller’s Determinations for various trades titles.
• Oversee case management of civilian and uniformed grievances, arbitrations, and Improper Practice cases.
• Serve as a member of the contract negotiating team and conduct general background research for collective bargaining.
• Perform quantitative and qualitative analysis of bargaining demands and programs for maintaining good labor relations.
• Advise and counsel executive staff regarding labor relations matters, negotiations, and the status of grievances and arbitrations.
• Recommend policies and programs that foster sound labor relations.
• Provide direction for first-line supervisors and managers regarding contract interpretation and administration; work with supervisors and managers on all labor relations matters to avoid labor disputes.
• Coordinate labor-management meetings as mandated by individual bargaining agreements, including health and safety committee activities.
• Manage E.O. 75 excusal for approximately 25 union officers on full-time excusal.
• Coordinate all Quality of Work Life (QWL) activities, including the annual Employee Recognition Ceremony and Work Well activities throughout the year.
• Maintain a good working relationship with the Mayor’s Office of Labor Relations, District Council 37, the UFA and UFOA, other collective bargaining organizations, and other City and State regulatory and oversight agencies regarding labor relations issues.

Requirements

• Admission to the New York State Bar.
• Four years of recent full-time responsible, relevant, satisfactory legal experience subsequent to admission to any bar.
• Eighteen months of the required experience must have been in the supervision of other attorneys, in an administrative, managerial, or executive capacity, or performing highly complex and significant legal work.
• Must remain a Member of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of employment.

Preferred Skills

• Familiarity with municipal collective bargaining agreements, ideally including experience with uniformed personnel.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills.
• Demonstrated experience in fostering intra- and inter-agency relationships.

Benefits

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website.

Pay

$170,000.00 – $180,000.00

New York City Residency is not required for this position.