Labor Support Attorney, OGC

New York City Department of Education; New York (NY); On-site; USD 107,000 - 111,000; Full time

Job summary

The New York City Department of Education is seeking a Labor Support Attorney in the Office of the General Counsel the Queens area. You will provide legal advice to district administrators on employment and labor issues and support grievance processes across multiple levels.

Key duties include representing administration at hearings, drafting disciplinary letters, and training principals and staff on labor relations while staying current with applicable laws and regulations.

Qualifications

• Admitted to the New York State Bar.
• One year of U.S. legal experience after bar admission; or six months as an Agency Attorney Intern.
• Two years of experience at Assignment Levels I/II or three years of comparable legal experience for AL III.
• Must remain a member of the New York State Bar in good standing.

Responsibilities

• Research employee grievances under various bargaining agreements and represent administration at Chancellor level hearings.
• Serve as Superintendent’s representative at appeals on discontinuance and denial of completion.
• Prepare disciplinary letters and advise on next steps in labor relations matters.
• Support District 75 issues with Senior Field Counsel on employment and labor relations.
• Represent schools at Step II grievance hearings and provide training on labor relations.

Skills

Communication skills

Legal writing

Time management

Labor law familiarity

School law knowledge

Job description

Position Type:

Administrative and Central Office

Office Title / Functional Title:

Labor Support Attorney, OGC - 27215

Civil Service Title:

Agency Attorney

Level:

L3

Division / Office:

Office of the General Counsel

Borough: Queens Posting End Date: 12/31/2026

Description:

Position Summary:

In consultation with the Office of the General Counsel, the Labor Support Attorney is responsible for providing legal advice, guidance, and training to District 75 school and district administrators on employment and labor issues. Performs related work.

Reports to:

Director, Senior Field Counsel

Direct Reports:

N/A

Key Relationships:

District 75 Superintendent, School and District Administrators, Office of Labor Relations, Senior Field Counsel for District 75 and District 75 Borough Citywide Office.

Responsibilities:

• Researches employee grievances brought pursuant to various collective bargaining agreements and represents administration at Chancellor level grievance hearings.
• Serves as Superintendent’s representative at the Office of Appeals and Reviews on discontinuance and denial of completion appeals.
• Conducts “due consideration” meetings under various collective bargaining agreements and prepares subsequent disciplinary letters on behalf of Superintendent.
• Provides support in conjunction with Senior Field Counsel to District 75 issues regarding various employment and labor relations issues.
• Conducts Step I grievances regarding the District 75 Chapter 683 Program, school reorganizations and other issues not handled at the school.
• Provides support to District 75 Principals with respect to their Step I grievances including preparation and editing of decisions.
• Represents schools and administration at Step II grievance hearings.
• Provides training to Principals, schools and District staff in connection with labor relations issues.
• Reviews Technical Assistance Conference (TAC), 2568 Medical Examination requests and 3020a packages.
• Interfaces with investigative agencies [Office of Special Investigations (OSI), The Office of the Special Commissioner of Investigation for the New York City School District (SCI), Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO), and the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS)] relative to specific employee cases.
• Works with school Principals with respect to their disciplinary letters, reviews disciplinary histories advising Principal on next steps.

Qualification Requirements:

Minimum:

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 Intern (30086).

NOTE: In addition to meeting the minimum Qualification Requirements:

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.

NOTE: Selected candidates must remain members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of their employment.

Preferred:

• Ability to rapidly understand provisions of applicable law and regulations.
• Ability to write clearly and concisely.
• Strong communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Familiarity with school employee disciplinary process, labor/employment law, and/or school law.

Salary:

$106,607 - $111,107

(Internal candidates who are selected for this position and who currently hold comparable or less senior positions within the DOE will not earn less than their current salary.)

NOTE: The filling of all positions is subject to budget availability and/or grant funding.

* New York City Residency is NOT Required *

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

DOE Non- Discrimination Policy

The Department of Education of 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 upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's actual or perceived sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or pregnancy. For more information, please refer to the DOE Non-Discrimination Policy.

REQUESTING AN ACCOMMODATION - APPLICANTS

Any prospective employee (applicant) who is a qualified individual with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation to assist in the application process. If an applicant for employment believes that they have a qualifying disability and are in need of a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application process on an equal basis as applicants who do not have a disability, they should request an accommodation with their interview team or contact ODA by emailing [e-mail]. The determination of the accommodation request will be communicated to the applicant in writing.
https://infohub.nyced.org/docs/default-source/doe-employees-only/personnel-memorandum-6-2024-2025---accommodations.pdf

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education's website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.