PRIMARY FUNCTIONS 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.
The Senior Labor Relations Counsel acts as a lead negotiator and chief spokesperson in negotiations, provides strategic direction in labor disputes, litigates cases at administrative and judicial levels, and represents the City in Superior Court, Appellate Court, and other forums as required.
TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES - Serves as a lead negotiator and/or chief spokesperson in collective negotiations of labor contracts for the City including the development of negotiation strategy, bargaining parameters, and settlement authority recommendations.
- Leads and directs management bargaining teams; coordinates and assigns preparation responsibilities.
- Researches and develops negotiation strategy based on legal risk, operational needs, comparables, and cost impact; recommends economic and non-economic settlement frameworks.
- Advises and counsels City officials and executive leadership in labor relations matters, including contract interpretation, disciplinary risk, bargaining strategy, settlement proposals, and dispute resolution.
- Drafts and negotiates highly technical bargaining agreement language and comprehensive settlements.
- As a negotiator, facilitates harmonious working relationships among parties in contract negotiations.
- Interprets and administers pertinent statutes, regulations, and collective bargaining agreements.
- Develops labor relations related policy.
- Provides guidance to management concerning all labor/union related matters including contract interpretation and administration.
- Reviews and analyzes existing contracts as well as pertinent grievance and arbitration awards.
- Conducts grievance conferences, settlement discussions, and mediation sessions at advanced complexity levels with City and union officials.
- Prepares and presents City's case at binding rights, interest, grievance arbitrations, and administrative hearings; prepares and presents cases including exhibits, witnesses, briefing, and oral advocacy.
- Supervises preparation of briefs, exhibits, witnesses, and evidentiary strategy.
- Issues written legal findings and recommendations to resolve grievances and preserve integrity of labor agreements.
- Advises on enforcement or challenge of arbitration awards.
- Represents the City in prohibited practice / unfair labor practice complaints and administrative litigation before the State Board of Labor Relations and other state/federal administrative bodies.
- Drafts and files pleadings, motions, briefs, and proposed findings and conducts hearings and oral argument as required.
- Represents and litigates on behalf of the City in Superior Court, Appellate Court, and other judicial forums in matters involving labor agreements, arbitration awards, collective bargaining disputes, and related employment litigation.
- Conducts legal research; prepares appellate briefs; participates in oral argument and appellate strategy.
- Coordinates litigation strategy with senior staff and manages outside counsel as assigned.
- Presents and advocates on behalf of the City before Boards and Commissions, providing formal legal analysis, case presentation, negotiation outcomes, arbitration impacts, and policy recommendations.
- Directs or conducts investigations of employee misconduct, prepares legal determinations and recommendations, and advises management on discipline and due process consistent with labor agreements and applicable law.
- Performs other related work as required.
EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE 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.
KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS & ABILITIES - 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.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS - Must possess a law degree and be a member in good standing with the Connecticut Bar and the Federal Bar.
- Must be eligible and competent to practice law before Connecticut courts including Superior Court and Appellate Court, and in federal court when required.
- Must possess a valid CT drivers' license with a good driving history; May be required to travel.
- May be required to occasionally attend public hearings and meetings during non-traditional hours.
- You must attach a writing sample to your application submission.
SALARY, BARGAINING UNIT & TERMS OF EMPLOYMENTThis is a General Fund, non-tested position. This position is appointed pursuant to Article II Sec 4 A of the City Charter by the Mayor. Mayor's Staff serve under the direction of and are subject to removal at the pleasure of the Mayor.
This position covered by the Executive Management & Confidential Employee Policy, available to review HERE. Range E-6 Min: $79,023 - Max: $138,012.
Hires into this class shall not be covered by the City pension but shall continue to be covered by Social Security; additionally, employer will contribute 7.5% of base pay into a defined contribution plan.
The City of New Haven does not sponsor employment visas. All applicants must have current authorization to work in the U.S. without employer-sponsored visa support.
Selection Plan
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.
Please note that the only method of communication with applicants for this position will be by email. You must provide a valid, working email address and you will need to monitor your email, including spam/junk folders, for correspondence from the New Haven Human Resources Department.
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.
ConclusionTo apply for this opportunity:
- Complete your User Registration. You are encouraged to save your Applicant Profile for future use.
- You MUST click on the job posting you are interested in, and click Apply or Apply Online from within that posting.
- MAKE SURE the job you are applying for is named at the top of the page as you review your application!
- Review or modify your application for that position
- Click "Ready to Send App" or the "Send" tab; read page and click the attestation
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- You will be redirected to "CONFIRMATION OF EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION SUBMISSION"
- You will also receive an email and text, if a number was provided, confirming your submission
- If you do not receive this confirmation in the next 24 hours, your application has not been submitted - please contact us at NHJobs@newhavenct.gov
Please Note, your Profile is NOT an application for an open position. After you create your Applicant Profile, you must still click on a Job Title and complete the application as instructed for each position.
