Senior Labor Relations Counsel #2602-0828-01

The Senior Labor Relations Counsel is accountable for independently performing and leading the most complex and high-impact labor relations, collective bargaining, litigation, and arbitration matters for the City. This position serves as a principal legal advisor to senior leadership regarding union relations, public sector bargaining strategy, litigation exposure, and labor-management policy.

Five (5) to seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience with primary responsibility for public sector labor relations, including:

• Lead role in labor contract negotiations.
• Arbitration advocacy and prohibited practice litigation.
• Superior Court litigation, including motions practice.
• Demonstrated ability to represent a public employer in complex, high-impact labor and employment disputes.

Appellate-level litigation experience strongly preferred.

• Advanced knowledge of collective bargaining and labor relations.
• Thorough knowledge of public sector labor law and collective bargaining strategy.
• Thorough knowledge of rules of evidence; civil procedure, court rules, and administrative law.
• Thorough knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes, regulations and guidelines.
• Advanced ability to litigate and advocate in arbitration and in court proceedings, including Superior and Appellate Court representation.
• Advanced skill in writing technical contract provisions;
• Thorough knowledge of rules of practice and procedures before administrative bodies.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare appellate briefs, argue motions, and manage complex litigation involving labor agreements and arbitration awards.
• Demonstrated leadership ability to direct negotiating teams, manage high-profile cases, and mentor lower-level staff.
• Ability to manage sensitive issues with discretion, diplomacy, and integrity.
• Advanced negotiating and communication skills.
• Knowledge of human resources administration and affirmative action.
• Knowledge of public sector job classification, compensation and benefits.
• Considerable ability to apply judicial and administrative decisions to provisions of labor agreements.
• Considerable ability to interpret and apply statutes, contracts and regulations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office for creating documents, reports, correspondence, spreadsheets, and presentations.
• Proficiency in using email clients (e.g., Outlook, Gmail) and calendar applications for scheduling and managing correspondence.
• Ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with city, state and federal officials, subordinates and representatives of allied and cooperating agencies.

Physical Requirements	Amount of Time					Working Environment	Amount of Time
	None	Under 1/3	1/3 to 2/3	Over 2/3			None	Under 1/3	1/3 to 2/3	Over 2/3
Stand		X				Wet or humid conditions (non-weather)	X
Walk		X				Work near moving mechanical parts	X
Sit				X		Work in high, precarious places		X
Use hands to finger, handle, or feel		X				Fumes or airborne particles	X
Reach with hands and arms		X				Toxic or caustic chemicals	X
Climb or balance		X				Outdoor weather conditions	X
Stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl		X				Extreme cold (non-weather)	X
Talk or hear				X		Risk of electrical shock	X
Taste or smell	X					Work with explosives	X
						Risk of radiation	X
Lifting or force to be exerted?  If so, how much and how often?						Vibration	X
	Amount of Time					Utilizes standard office equipment				X
	None	Under 1/3	1/3 to 2/3	Over 2/3		Customer / employee interaction (face-to-face)			X
Up to 10 pounds		X
Up to 25 pounds	X
Up to 50 pounds	X
Up to 75 pounds	X
Up to 100 pounds	X
More than 100 pounds	X

This position covered by the Executive Management & Confidential Employee Policy, available to review HERE. Range E-6 Min: $79,023 - Max: $138,012.

Pursuant to the Federal Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988, The City of New Haven has a adopted a Drug Free Workplace Policy. The City of New Haven requires a pre-employment drug test, which includes screening for marijuana.

Applications will be reviewed by the Department of Human Resources. Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the minimum requirements as listed within the job description; failure to do so may result in disqualification. Applicants meeting minimum requirements may be invited to participate in a Civil Service exam process at a later date. Exam may consist of an evaluation of your submitted materials; it is important to respond thoroughly on your application.

It is critical that you complete the application thoroughly, as the information you provide will be used to ascertain if you are eligible to move forward in the selection process. Your application and resume should indicate that you meet the minimum requirements as listed. This information may be used to determine the eligibility list. Submissions may be evaluated prior to a posted closing date, and a hiring decision may be made prior to the removal of the job posting.

Information regarding the employment and selection process can be found HERE.

We reserve the right to extend an application deadline or close a job posting early to ensure we can attract and identify the best candidate(s) for a position.