Director Of Labor Relations

Are you interested in working for the nation’s largest water and wastewater utility?

If so, the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), with over 5,500 employees providing service to 8.5 million residents of New York City, and more than 1 million residents in Upstate New York, is the place for you. We have a unique and exciting career opportunity for one candidate to work on matters involving employee discipline and labor relations, and related human resources matters. Our selected candidate will be enthusiastic, dynamic, and highly motivated; have the ability to communicate effectively with people from a diverse range of backgrounds; and have the desire and passion to take challenges and to be successful.

The NYC Department of Environmental Protections’ Office of Labor Relations & Discipline (“LR&D”) researches matters related to labor law and employee discipline. The unit works with Attorneys at the Mayor’s Office of Labor Relations and the NYC Law Department on litigation matters involving the Agency. LR&D also coordinates with the New York City Department of Investigation and the New York City Conflicts of Interest Board on matters within their purview.
You will join an energetic team responsible for supporting the DEP’s mission and strategic goals. You’ll work closely with senior level management, with the goal of resolving disciplinary issues and labor relations matters.

DEP’s Office of Labor Relations and Discipline is seeking an experienced candidate to serve as Director of Labor Relations. Under general direction, with significant latitude for the exercise of independent judgment, the selected candidate will serve as the Agency’s chief liaison with DEP’s labor unions, will convene labor-management meetings, take the lead in resolving workplace issues presented by labor leaders, and sit on the health and safety and Quality of Work-Life Committees. The selected candidate will also be responsible for handling all Downstate contractual grievances, and for representing the Agency at grievance arbitrations and at improper practice hearings. Additionally, the successful candidate will participate in the collective bargaining process, handle non-disciplinary terminations under Sections 71 and 73 of the Civil Service Law and will train supervisors and managers on topics related to labor relations and discipline.

EXECUTIVE AGENCY COUNSEL - 95005

Minimum Qualifications

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 which must have been in the supervision of other attorneys, in an administrative, managerial or executive capacity, or performing highly complex and significant legal work.

Incumbents must remain Members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of this employment.

Preferred Skills

- Extensive experience working with the Mayor’s Office of Labor Relations. - Experience representing City agencies in grievance arbitrations and in improper practice proceedings. - Experience handling non-disciplinary terminations under Sections 71 and 73 of the Civil Service Law. - Experience providing training in matters related to labor relations and discipline. - The selected candidate will have demonstrated interest and experience in labor relations and employment law.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

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, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

Residency Requirement

New York City Residency is not required for this position

Additional Information

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.