Senior Labor Relations Counsel

newhavenct.gov; New Haven (CT); On-site; USD 79,023 - 138,012; Full time

Job summary

newhavenct.gov in New Haven is searching for a Senior Labor Relations Counsel who will independently lead complex labor relations and collective bargaining. The position serves as a key legal advisor for the City and requires expertise in negotiations and litigation.

The ideal candidate will have 5-7 years of relevant experience and a law degree with a strong negotiation skill set. This is a vital role in shaping the City's labor strategy and ensuring effective labor-management relations.

The salary range for this role is between $79,023 and $138,012.

Qualifications

• Five to seven years of public sector labor relations experience.
• Experience in collective bargaining negotiations.
• History of representing public employers in complex labor disputes.

Responsibilities

• Lead negotiations in collective bargaining for labor contracts.
• Advise City officials on labor relations matters.
• Litigate cases in court on behalf of the City.

Skills

Advanced negotiating and communication skills

Advanced ability to litigate and advocate in court

Thorough knowledge of public sector labor law

Demonstrated leadership ability

Proficiency with Microsoft Office

Ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds

Education

Law degree

Admission to the Connecticut Bar

Job description

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.


• Facilitates harmonious working relationships among parties in contract negotiations.


• Interprets and administers pertinent statutes, regulations, and collective bargaining agreements.


• Develops labor relations related policy and 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.


• 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 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 driver's 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 Employment

This 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. 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. Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre‑employment background check, a pre‑employment physical examination, including pre‑employment drug screening according to the City’s Drug Free Workplace Policy, and a 90‑day probationary period.