Assistant Counsel, Labor Relations and Discipline

The NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) enriches the environment and protects public health for all New Yorkers by providing 1.1 billion gallons of high-quality drinking water, managing wastewater and stormwater, and reducing air, noise, and hazardous materials pollution. DEP is the largest combined municipal water and wastewater utility in the country, with nearly 6,000 employees. DEP's water supply system is comprised of 19 reservoirs and 3 controlled lakes throughout the system’s 2,000 square mile watershed that extends 125 miles north and west of the City.

The NYC Department of Environmental Protections' Office of Labor Relations & Discipline (“LR&D”) provides legal guidance to agency managers in matters related to labor law and employee discipline. The unit handles employee grievances, prosecutes disciplinary cases, and works with attorneys at the Mayor’s Office of Labor Relations and the NYC Law Department on litigation matters involving the Agency. LR&D also coordinates with the New York City Department of Investigation and the New York City Conflicts of Interest Board on matters within their purview. You will join an energetic team responsible for supporting the DEP’s mission and strategic goals. You’ll work closely with senior level management, with the goal of resolving disciplinary issues and labor relations matters.

Throughout your career as an Agency Attorney, there are opportunities to advance and vary your experiences and responsibilities.

Specifically, as an Agency Attorney-Level I, under the supervision of the Director of Labor Relations, with some latitude for independent judgment and unreviewed action and decision, you will perform legal work, including the following:

- Research and prepare routine cases for trial and arguing them before courts and quasi-judicial bodies. Assist in researching, preparing and arguing complex cases.

- Perform legal work involving issues of fact and questions of law involving disciplinary matters. Confer with subject matter specialists, technical experts and other attorneys.

- Investigate employee disciplinary matters, draft charges, hold formal hearings, and represent the DEP at various levels in the grievance/arbitration process.

- Appear at administrative hearings, recommend settlements, and advise senior management concerning disciplinary matters.

- Assist the NYC Office of Labor Relations attorneys in preparing disciplinary cases for arbitration.

- Provide Labor Relations & Discipline training for agency personnel.

AGENCY ATTORNEY - 30087

1. Admission to the New York State Bar; and either "2" or "3" below.
2. One year of satisfactory United States legal experience subsequent to admission to any state bar; or
3. Six months of satisfactory service as an Agency Attorney Interne (30086).
Incumbents must remain Members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of this employment.
In addition to meeting the minimum Qualification Requirements:
To be assigned to Assignment Level (AL) II, candidates must have one year of experience at Assignment Level I or two years of comparable legal experience subsequent to admission to the bar, in the areas of law related to the assignment. To be assigned to AL III candidates must have two years of experience in Assignment Levels I and/or II or three years of comparable legal experience subsequent to admission to the bar, in the areas of law related to the assignment.

The City of New York 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.