DIRECTOR OF LABOR RELATIONS

City of New York•New York, NY

5d•$170,000 - $180,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) is seeking a full-time Director of Labor Relations. This role reports directly to the Deputy Commissioner of Management and Budget. The successful candidate will provide guidance and strategic direction on all FDNY labor matters, administer collective bargaining agreements for civilian and uniformed employees, and oversee Comptroller’s Determinations for various trades titles. Responsibilities include managing grievances, arbitrations, and Improper Practice cases for both civilian and uniformed employees. The role involves serving on the contract negotiating team, conducting research for collective bargaining, and performing quantitative and qualitative analysis of bargaining demands and programs. The Director will advise executive staff on labor relations, negotiations, and the status of disputes, and recommend policies to foster sound labor relations. Additionally, the position will direct first-line supervisors and managers on contract interpretation and administration, working to prevent labor disputes. Coordination of labor-management meetings, including health and safety committees, is required. The role also includes managing E.O. 75 excusals for union officers, coordinating Quality of Work Life (QWL) activities such as the annual Employee Recognition Ceremony, and maintaining relationships with the Mayor’s Office of Labor Relations, various unions (District Council 37, UFA, UFOA), and other City and State regulatory agencies.

Requirements

Admission to the New York State Bar.
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.

Nice To Haves

Candidates in or eligible for other relevant civil service titles, such as Administrative Staff Analyst and Administrative Labor Relations Analyst, are also encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

Provide guidance and strategic direction on all FDNY labor matters.
Administer collective bargaining agreements covering civilian and uniformed employees.
Oversee case management of civilian and uniformed grievances, arbitrations, and Improper Practice cases.
Serve as a member of the contract negotiating team and conduct general background research for collective bargaining.
Perform quantitative and qualitative analysis of bargaining demands and programs for maintaining good labor relations.
Advise and counsel executive staff regarding labor relations matters, negotiations, and the status of grievances and arbitrations.
Recommend policies and programs that foster sound labor relations.
Provide direction for first line supervisors and managers regarding contract interpretation and administration.
Work with supervisors and managers on all labor relations matters in a concerted effort to avoid labor disputes.
Coordinate labor-management meetings as mandated by individual bargaining agreements, including health and safety committee activities.
Manage E.O. 75 excusal for approximately 25 union officers on full-time excusal.
Coordinate all Quality of Work Life (QWL) activities, including the annual Employee Recognition Ceremony and Work Well activities throughout the year.
Interface and maintain a good working relationship with the Mayor’s Office of Labor Relations, District Council 37, the UFA and UFOA, other collective bargaining organizations, and other City and State regulatory and oversight agencies regarding labor relations issues.