Senior Attorney-Employment and Labor

Build your career while building NYC schools!

The SCA's Legal Department provides legal services to all divisions and departments of the SCA. The Department's responsibilities include: advising the Board of Trustees, officers and employees of all legal requirements of the SCA's construction program and business operations; managing litigation and defending the SCA in administrative matters; mediating construction claims and disputes; drafting and negotiating SCA contracts, license agreements, memoranda of understanding, and other legal documents; responding to requests pursuant to the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL); managing the SCAs public works lien system; and providing assistance with regards to the City's Conflicts of Interest laws.

Job Description Summary

The Senior Attorney -Employment and Labor, reports to the General Counsel with a dotted line reporting structure to the Senior Director, Human Resources. This position is responsible for providing legal guidance and recommendations on strategies and issues facing the Authority, particularly as they relate to litigation involving all employment and labor matters. This position is responsible for providing timely and responsive legal support on employment issues including but not limited to: reasonable accommodations, EEO matters, collective bargaining questions, civil service issues, performance management, discipline, and unemployment. In this role, you will be responsible for negotiating and drafting contracts for various matters, reviewing proposed and pending legislation and advising on its impact on the Authority, overseeing litigation matters, and assisting with the review, and monitoring of litigation matters. The successful candidate will be able to develop excellent rapport with colleagues in the Legal and Human Resources Departments as well as with all Authority Departments.

REQUIRE EMPLOYMENT AND LABOR LAW EXPERIENCE

Job Description

Responsibilities include:

REQUIRE EMPLOYMENT AND LABOR LAW EXPERIENCE

Counseling, Litigation, and Negotiations

• Assess exposure to SCA in claims and litigation involving all employment and labor matters. Collect and provide documents, information, and strategic support to internal and outside staff as necessary to handle matters.
• Under supervision of General Counsel, manage outside counsel (Law department or Law firm counsel). Review pleading, motions, and briefs, discuss and provide feedback on strategy, draft memoranda recommending settlement authority or other strategies to the General Counsel and President.
• Represent the SCA at arbitrations, mediations, unemployment hearings and
• other administrative proceedings/matters before the EEOC, SDHR, SCSC, SPERB, and/or other administrative bodies.
• Independently negotiate, draft, review, and execute agreements in a timely manner, including MOUs, settlement agreements, or other legal documents related to labor and employment matters.
• Establish and maintain cohesive and collaborative working relationships with colleagues in Legal, EEO, and HR, as well as other SCA staff to protect the SCAs interests and provide excellent and timely customer service.

• Research

• Independently conduct legal research and prepare memoranda on legal issues involving labor and employment issues affecting the SCA.
• Provide concise and well-reasoned recommendations to legal issues and questions from internal clients and senior management in situations where laws, regulations and legal precedents may be unclear, or the issues presented are novel.
• Review new and proposed legislation and laws and advise General Counsel of impact on the SCA, its employees, or overall business activities.
• Propose recommendations to the General Counsel for changes to policies or procedures to comply with changes in the law and/or improve operations.

Human Resources Support

• Provides advice regarding compliance with relevant Federal, State and City employment laws, including but not limited to those relating to immigration and naturalization, Equal Employment Opportunity, veterans affairs, Family Medical Leave Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act, civil service law and labor contracts
• Provides legal assistance and guidance to SCA managers and supervisors on legal issues such as employee discipline, EEO, and labor law.
• Administers and interprets collective bargaining agreements, reviews, and prepares material for arbitrations and impasse proceedings; assists in preparing analyses of union demands.
• Assists in preparing reports of a confidential nature.
• Analyzes and develops policies and procedures related to labor and employment matters and makes recommendations to senior management.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

REQUIRE EMPLOYMENT AND LABOR LAW EXPERIENCE

Minimum Requirement

Juris Doctor from an accredited law school.

Admission to the New York State Bar. Admission in the federal courts of NY preferred. BAR - NYS Office of Court Administration.

Work Experience

Four years of full-time legal experience in the area of responsibility.

Weighted Consideration Will Be Given To Those Candidates Who Possess:

• Extensive employment and labor law experience including collective bargaining.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse constituency and to present, influence, and negotiate effectively.

POSTING CLOSING DATE: Until Filled

Civil Service Classification: Non-Competitive

Salary Range: $91,193.00- $150,000.00

Background

The New York City School Construction Authority (SCA) is the organization responsible for designing and building new public schools and managing the design, construction, and renovation of capital improvement projects in New York Citys more than 1200 school buildings. The SCA is dedicated to building and modernizing schools in a responsible, cost-effective manner while achieving the highest standards of excellence, safety, quality, and integrity.

Education

Juris Doctor

Certifications (if required)

BAR - NYS Office of Court Administration

Work Experience

Four years of full-time legal experience in the area of responsibility.

The New York City School Construction Authority (NYCSCA) 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. In addition, the NYCSCA will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

We offer excellent benefits including:

* Medical (100% employer paid for basic coverage available)

* Prescription drug option

* Dental and Vision coverage

* NYC Qualified Pension Plan

* Optional Retirement Savings Plans including 401K, 457 and IRA options

* Transit Check Program

* Public Loan Forgiveness Program

* Competitive paid time off (PTO) benefits

The SCA is interested in qualified candidates who are eligible to work in the United States. The SCA is not able to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time. We participate in the federal E-Verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees. For further information about the E-Verify program, please click here: https://www.e-verify.gov/employees