Labor Attorney

Description

This position is eligible for teleworking, which is currently one day per week. New hires are eligible to apply 30 days after their effective hire date.

Opening:

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is North America's largest transportation network, serving a population of 15.3 million people across a 5,000-square-mile travel area surrounding New York City, Long Island, southeastern New York State, and Connecticut. The MTA network comprises the nation’s largest bus fleet and more subway and commuter rail cars than all other U.S. transit systems combined. MTA strives to provide a safe and reliable commute, excellent customer service, and rewarding opportunities.

Position Objective:

Represents the Authorities at administrative labor hearings and at arbitrations involving labor relations issues such as contract interpretation, disciplinary matters, medical appeals, Civil Service Law, and matters affecting Authority-wide policy and procedures, as well as perform related tasks such as investigating labor disputes, interviewing witnesses, developing litigation strategy, performing legal research, and preparing legal memoranda. Serves as labor counsel to the department and senior management in formulating labor relations policy and assists in administering collective bargaining agreements. Writes, reviews, and assists in the formulation of labor relations policy.

Responsibilities:

• Represents Authorities in administrative hearings and arbitrations involving labor relations issues such as contract interpretation, discipline, Civil Service Law, matters affecting authority-wide policy and procedures, and involuntary medical leave.
• Handles complex contractual grievances that may have Authority-wide operations impact.
• Prepares schedules for all arbitrations and administrative hearings.
• Serves as labor counsel to the department and senior management in formulating labor relations policy and assists in administering collective bargaining agreements.
• Investigates labor disputes, prepares legal memoranda and witnesses to testify at arbitration hearings, develops litigation strategies, and performs extensive legal research concerning rules, regulations, and prior contract and discipline grievance awards.
• Ensures administrative updates for contract and disciplinary data generated from hearings are done effectively.
• Assist in contract negotiations and investigations.
• Advises, trains, and acts as a liaison to the Labor Relations Staff in the various departments throughout the Authority.
• Assures uniformity of interpretation of policy and collective bargaining agreements and maintains a consistent and appropriate application of progressive discipline.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Must have knowledge of laws, rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements, and policies involving Labor Relations issues.
• Must have knowledge of Labor Relations law in the private and/or public sectors and the ability to perform legal research.
• Demonstrated ability to present cases at administrative hearings, including investigating disputes, interviewing witnesses, preparing litigation strategy, arguing cases, and preparing legal briefs or memoranda.
• Must possess the ability to write clearly, concisely, and to argue persuasively.
• Must possess the ability to deal with internal and external constituents of the MTA.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent organizational and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work with all internal levels within a given organization.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a high-profile, high-pressure environment effectively.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite or comparable applications, i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook

Required Education and Experience:

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school and NYS Bar Admission
• Major Field of Study: Law
• Minimum of 3 years of experience, post passing bar exam, in Labor Relations with emphasis on Legal analysis.

The Following is/are preferred:

• Prior trial experience
• Prior experience working in government and labor contract negotiations, and important litigations.
• Familiarity with the MTA’s policies and procedures.
• Familiarity with the MTA’s collective bargaining procedures.

Other Information

May need to work outside of normal work hours (i.e., evenings and weekends)

Travel may be required to other MTA locations or other external sites.

According to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics, all employees who hold a policymaking position must file an Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure (FDS) with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (the “Commission”).

Equal Employment Opportunity

MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including those concerning veteran status and individuals with disabilities.

The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.