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Job Description

The New York City Office of Labor Relations (OLR) serves as the Mayor’s chief representative in the conduct of all labor relations between the City of New York and labor unions representing employees of the City. OLR is responsible for negotiating and administering collective bargaining agreements for approximately 150 bargaining units representing over 300,000 employees across the broad and diverse spectrum of municipal services the City offers.

In addition, OLR administers the City’s Health Benefits Program, which provides health insurance coverage to approximately 1.2 million employees, retirees, and dependents; the Deferred Compensation Plan, which manages more than $30 billion in employee retirement assets; the Employee Assistance Program, providing mental health support to City employees and their families, and WorkWell NYC, the City’s workplace wellness program.

Reporting to the First Deputy Commissioner and exercising broad independent judgment, the General Counsel is a senior executive responsible for leading the Agency’s Legal Division and serving as the principal legal advisor to the Commissioner on all matters affecting labor relations and the City workforce. This role combines legal excellence, strategic leadership, and policy development at the highest levels of City government.

Key responsibilities include:

- Lead and manage the overall operations of the Legal Division, including attorneys, grievance review officers, and professional and administrative support staff.

- Supervise the Deputy General Counsel and litigation teams handling arbitration proceedings, improper practice cases, interest arbitrations, and matters before the Office of Collective Bargaining, Public Employment Relations Board, and the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings.

- Oversee the Deputy General Counsel for Employee Benefits and legal team responsible for all matters related to OLR-administered benefit programs, including the City Health Benefits Program, Deferred Compensation Plan, and Management Benefits Fund.

- Supervise the Chief Review Officer and Step III grievance staff responsible for processing, conducting hearings, and issuing determinations in citywide grievance matters.

- Advise the Administration Division on legal issues involving human resources, employee discipline, facilities, procurement, EEO and other internal operational matters.

- Serve as legal counsel during collective bargaining negotiations and draft and review collective bargaining agreements.

- Provide strategic legal guidance on healthcare strategy and related initiatives and related employee benefit policy issues.

- Serve as the Commissioner’s chief legal representative to external agencies and officials, including City Hall, City agencies, and oversight bodies; and coordinate closely with the Office of the Corporation Counsel and outside labor and health counsel on matters within OLR’s purview.

COUNSEL (OLR) - 30100

Qualifications

1. A license to practice law in the State of New York and four years of satisfactory full-time relevant experience subsequent to admission to the bar.

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.

Salary Min: $225,000.00

Salary Max: $261,566.00