Policy Counsel

About the Office

The Office of Labor Relations (OLR) represents the Mayor in the conduct of all labor relations between the City of New York and labor unions representing employees of the City. The Commissioner serves on behalf of the Mayor as the City’s liaison with both labor and management in the private sector. OLR is authorized by Executive Order 38 (February 7, 1967), amended by Executive Order 13 (July 24, 1990). OLR administers the Health Benefits Program, Management Benefits Fund, Employee Assistance Program, Work Well NYC, Medicare Part B Reimbursement Program, and Pre-Tax Benefits & Citywide Programs, including the Deferred Compensation Plan and NYCE IRA.

In addition to negotiating collective bargaining agreements, OLR serves as a resource to agencies regarding workforce labor issues and works with the Municipal Labor Committee (MLC) to pursue innovations in City health insurance programs. OLR staff assist agencies in handling personnel and payroll issues, conducting labor-management meetings, representing the City at representation hearings, and handling all employee grievances and arbitration matters, while also negotiating collective bargaining agreements with the City's 149 bargaining units.

About the Office of the General Counsel (OGC)

Under the supervision of the General Counsel, OGC serves as the agency’s legal counsel, providing legal support and advice on the wide array of issues that arise given the breadth of OLR’s portfolio. The legal team represents the City before the Office of Collective Bargaining (OCB) in administrative proceedings, including arbitrations, and serves as neutrals during Step III grievance proceedings. OGC is also responsible for contract administration across OLR’s administered programs and ensures compliance with regulatory requirements for employee benefits programs serving approximately 300,000 employees, city retirees, and their dependents. The team liaises with the Law Department on litigation and discovery, and handles FOIL, privacy, and other day-to-day legal matters.

Responsibilities

• Represent the City in administrative proceedings, including arbitrations pursuant to collective bargaining agreements and improper practice claims before the Office of Collective Bargaining (OCB).
• Develop and implement case strategies, and negotiate settlements.
• Maintain communications with client agencies and provide regular updates on case status.
• Conduct legal research and advise both OGC and agency leadership.
• Research and draft legal documents, including pleadings, briefs, agreements (e.g., MOUs, contracts, side letters), and memoranda.
• Review agency communications prior to their release.
• Gain a command of collective bargaining law and familiarize themselves with the unions the agency engages with during labor negotiations.
• Prepare briefing documents for a variety of audiences, including decision-makers and non-attorneys.
• Handle FOIL assignments under the supervision of the Agency Privacy Officer (APO).
• Help develop contract templates and guidance for the agency’s programs.
• Liaise with the Law Department as needed (e.g., discovery requests).
• May aid in the supervision of less experienced attorneys in preparation of their proceedings.
• Assist in the development of processes and systems for efficient management of the legal team’s workstreams, cases, and communications.
• Other duties as needed.

Requirements

• Admission to the New York State Bar and four years of recent full-time responsible, relevant, satisfactory legal experience subsequent to admission to any bar.
• Eighteen months of experience 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.

Qualifications

• Required:
  • Admission to the NYS Bar and at least 4+ years of post-law school relevant experience or equivalent.
  • Demonstrated litigation experience with ability to manage multiple cases and assignments.
  • Ability to handle sensitive information with appropriate discretion and professionalism.
  • Ability to think on their feet and deliver under tight deadlines.
  • Team-oriented mindset with the ability to work independently.
  • Strong organizational skills.
  • Strong research, writing, and problem-solving skills.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Preferred:
  • Demonstrated interest in labor relations.
  • Municipal government experience.
  • Demonstrated experience in contracts and negotiations.
  • Demonstrated ability to negotiate settlements.

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

$125,000.00 – $144,550.00