Senior Attorney – Employment and Labor

Senior Attorney - Employment and Labor

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 City’s 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.

The SCA has an excellent opportunity for a Senior Attorney of Employment and Labor and 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. Provide legal support on employment issues including but not limited to; reasonable accommodation, EEO matters, collective bargaining questions, civil service issues, performance management, discipline, and unemployment. You will also be responsible for negotiating and drafting contracts, reviewing & advising on legislation matters.  

Responsibilities Include:

Counseling, Litigation, and Negotiations: Assess exposure to SCA in claims and litigation involving all employment and labor 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 including MOUs, settlement agreements, or other legal documents related to labor and employment matters.

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.

Minimum Qualifications:

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

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.

Salary: Salary Range: $91,193.00- $145,000.00

We offer excellent benefits including medical, dental, prescription and vision coverage; retirement savings plans including pension, 401K, 457 and IRA options and generous paid time off are just a sample of our benefits. 

Visit our website https://nycsca.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/External_Career_Site & apply to Job R-FY24-65

New York City School Construction Authority is an equal opportunity employer.