Labor Relations Specialist

newhavenct.gov; New Haven (CT); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

City of New Haven seeks an experienced Labor Relations Specialist to provide high‑level legal research, drafting, and arbitration support. You will prepare briefs, memoranda, and contract language, organize case files, and assist with negotiations and settlements.

Work requires discretion and confidentiality, with independent handling of complex assignments and collaboration with the Director and attorneys. Knowledge of public sector labor relations and strong writing skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Graduation from a four-year college with related field and 5–7 years of labor relations or legal research experience.
• Or four-year degree with paralegal certification and 4–6 years of labor/employment support experience.
• Equivalent additional experience may substitute for a degree.

Responsibilities

• Conducts legal research related to public sector labor relations, bargaining, arbitration, and employment matters.
• Drafts memoranda, case law summaries, statutory analyses, and decisions impacting labor relations.
• Prepare written submissions for arbitration, hearings, or court proceedings, including briefs and motions.
• Organizes case files, prepares exhibits, and coordinates witness materials for litigation or arbitration.
• Maintain internal docketing for grievances, arbitration matters, and complaints.
• Support contract provisions, past practice documents, and arbitration records for case strategy.
• Draft and revise contract language, MOUs, and negotiated proposals for review.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Contract drafting

Arbitration support

Labor relations knowledge

Analytical drafting

Independent work

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in legal studies or related field

Paralegal certificate or legal writing training

Equivalent experience substituted for degree

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Project

Job description

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS

This is advanced professional work providing high-level legal research, analysis, and drafting support for labor relations, collective bargaining, grievance arbitration, administrative proceedings, and related litigation support functions. The Labor Relations Specialist performs complex work requiring strong legal writing ability and familiarity with labor relations practice, including the drafting of briefs, legal memoranda, pleadings, and contract language.The individual in this class supports the Director of Labor Relations and Labor Relations attorneys by preparing legal research, developing draft language for proposals and settlements, organizing case files, preparing exhibits and witness materials, and assisting with litigation/arbitration preparation. Work is performed with substantial independence and requires discretion and confidentiality.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conducts legal research related to public sector labor relations, collective bargaining, arbitration, administrative hearings, and employment-related matters.
• Drafts legal memoranda, summaries of case law, statutory analysis, and administrative agency decisions impacting labor relations operations.
• Drafts and assists in preparing written submissions for arbitration, administrative hearings or court proceedings, including draft briefs, motions, proposed findings, and supporting documentation.
• Tracks developments in labor law and related decisions and prepares advisories for the Director and legal staff.
• Assists attorneys and the Director with preparation for grievance arbitration, interest arbitration, prohibited practice complaints, and administrative hearings by organizing files, preparing exhibits, and coordinating witness and document preparation.
• Maintains and organizes the internal docketing system for grievances, arbitration matters, and prohibited practice complaints.
• Coordinates the compilation and review of contract provisions, past practice documents, arbitration awards, and relevant records to support case strategy and presentations.
• Prepares case binders and hearing materials for arbitrators, hearing officers, boards, or courts.
• Drafts and revises contract language, side letters, settlement agreements, memoranda of understanding (MOUs), and negotiated proposal language for review by the Director and attorneys.
• Assists with preparation for collective bargaining negotiations, including developing costing research packages, drafting comparative analyses, and drafting negotiation proposals or counterproposals.
• Conducts research into comparable settlements, wage/benefit patterns, and contract structures and summarizes findings to support negotiation strategy.
• Maintains contract libraries and ensures finalized agreements and revisions are properly recorded, archived, and available for use.
• Receives and evaluates requests for labor relations information, conducts preliminary research, and prepares draft responses or routes requests as appropriate.
• Assists in developing and maintaining internal procedures and templates for legal drafting, contract language, arbitration submissions, and recordkeeping.
• Supports training and informational programs for department heads and managers, including preparing materials and legal summaries related to labor relations practices and contract interpretation.
• Provides high-level administrative support to ensure timely completion of arbitration filings, negotiation documents, and legal submissions.
• Works with sensitive personnel records, attorney work products, settlement discussions, negotiation strategy materials, and confidential communications; maintains strict confidentiality at all times.
• Handles materials and communications subject to attorney-client privilege and/or litigation sensitivity, under supervision of counsel as required.
• Performs other related work as required.

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with coursework or concentration in legal studies, political science, public administration, or a related field, and five (5) to seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in labor relations, legal research/writing, arbitration support, contract drafting, or related work;OrGraduation from an accredited four-year college or university and completion of a paralegal certificate program or comparable legal writing training, and four (4) to six (6) years of experience supporting labor/employment legal work, arbitration preparation, or litigation support.In lieu of a degree, an additional four years of progressively responsible experience in labor relations, legal research/writing, arbitration support, contract drafting, litigation support, or a related discipline may be substituted.

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Considerable knowledge of public sector labor relations principles and practices, including collective bargaining agreements and grievance/arbitration processes.Ability to research and prepare material independently and translate it clearly and concisely, including advanced legal writing and analytical drafting.Ability to draft and revise technical contract provisions, settlement language, and related labor relations documentation.Knowledge of or ability to rapidly learn Connecticut labor laws and relevant administrative practices and procedures (SBLR, SBMA, etc.).Ability to prepare and organize materials for arbitrations, administrative hearings, and court-related litigation support.Ability to review an issue and determine what information is necessary to address and resolve the matter.Ability to prioritize and complete multiple assignments simultaneously and maintain a schedule of deadlines and hearing dates.Ability to work independently on complex assignments with minimal preliminary instruction.Ability to exercise good judgment, courtesy, tact, and discretion in dealing with union representatives, management, outside counsel, and agency officials.Excellent written and oral communication skills.Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, and the ability to learn and use multiple web-based applications 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.Considerable skill in the use of standard office and document management software, including document drafting, formatting, and recordkeeping systems.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

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.Applicant must provide an appropriate writing sample with their application submission.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical RequirementsAmount of TimeWorking EnvironmentAmount of TimeNoneUnder 1/31/3 to 2/3Over 2/3NoneUnder 1/31/3 to 2/3Over 2/3StandXWet or humid conditions (non-weather)XWalkXWork near moving mechanical partsXSitXWork in high, precarious placesXUse hands to finger, handle, or feelXFumes or airborne particlesXReach with hands and armsXToxic or caustic chemicalsXClimb or balanceXOutdoor weather conditionsXStoop, kneel, crouch, or crawlXExtreme cold (non-weather)XTalk or hearXRisk of electrical shockXTaste or smellXWork with explosivesXRisk of radiationXLifting or force to be exerted? If so, how much and how often?VibrationXAmount of TimeUtilizes standard office equipmentXNoneUnder 1/31/3 to 2/3Over 2/3Customer / employee interaction (face-to-face)XUp to 10 poundsXUp to 25 poundsXUp to 50 poundsXUp to 75 poundsXUp to 100 poundsXMore than 100 poundsX

SALARY, BARGAINING UNIT & TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

This is a General Fund, Civil Service tested position.This position covered by the Executive Management & Confidential Employee Policy,available to reviewHERE.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.Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of: (1) a pre-employment background check, (2) a pre-employment physical examination, including pre-employment drug screening accordance with the City’s Drug Free Workplace Policy*, and (3) a 90-day probationary period. Instructions and information on this pre-employment process are included in Conditional Offer of Employment.Pursuant to the Federal Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988, The City of New Haven has a adopted a Drug Free Workplace Policy. The City of New Haven requires a pre-employment drug test, which includes screening for marijuana.

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.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.This has been designated a Continuous Recruitment Eligibility List. Each time an examination for such a class is given, the names of the persons achieving a passing score in the examination shall be added to the existing eligible list, ordered first by the certification date and then by the eligible's rank determined by the passing score achieved.Information regarding the employment and selection process can be foundHERE.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.