Job DescriptionThe New York City Department of Correction (DOC) is an integral part of the City’s evolving criminal justice system, participating in reform initiatives and strategies aimed to move the City towards a smaller jail system without compromising public safety. The DOC is responsible for maintaining a safe and secure environment for our employees, visitors, volunteers and people in our custody. Importantly, safe jails enable DOC to provide people in custody with the tools and opportunities they need to successfully re-enter their communities. The DOC operates facilities and court commands across the five boroughs with more than 9,500 diverse professionals and knowledgeable experts.Under the direction of the First Deputy Commissioner, with latitude to exercise independent judgment and initiative, the Assistant Commissioner will be responsible for managing all aspects of Labor Relations for the Department, while managing the Executive Director whose responsibility is to oversee a team of attorneys and other labor relations office staff. The Assistant Commissioner will be the primary point of contact for DOC unions and will serve as the advisor on matters pertaining to negotiations, at all collective bargaining sessions related to the department’s unionized uniformed and non-uniformed employees, including union practices, pensions, healthcare, welfare, salary, and grievances and ensure the department’s policies and interests are upheld during negotiations. The Assistant Commissioner will research labor law, bargaining procedures, economic data, and wage data common for careers, similar industries, and jurisdictions. The Assistant Commissioner will develop strategies for the presentation of arguments for contract bargaining negotiations, as well as for responses to union grievances, complaints, and strikes. The Assistant Commissioner will consult with the General Counsel where appropriate concerning the legal framework of negotiation strategies and conditions of new labor agreements and will collaborate with the Law Department and General Counsel on litigation matters with union-related implications. The incumbent will be responsible for administering all labor contracts for the department; and responding to inquiries from facility Commanding Officers and other executives regarding the applicability of contract provisions. The incumbent will also oversee civilian discipline which includes conducting Step II conferences on grievances and discipline of non-uniformed employees and the drafting of determinations, in addition to evaluating disciplinary matters for legal sufficiency; drafting charges and representing the agency at third-step grievance hearings and trials at the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings. The Assistant Commissioner will serve as liaison with the NYC Office of Labor Relations and oversee petitions, arbitrations and hearings at the Office of Collective Bargaining.The Assistant Commissioner will provide advice to the executive leadership team on a wide range of issues within jurisdictional areas in order to establish and maintain a sound labor policy department-wide; interpret labor contracts, rules and regulations, develop, implement, monitor and modify policies consistent with alleviating and/or minimizing labor conflicts throughout the department. The incumbent will review and modify directives, general orders and regulations to reflect current views on labor related matters; advise and give direction on an ongoing basis to Wardens and Administrative Deputy Wardens concerning matters related to the handling of employee grievances and other labor-related issues; and perform related duties as assigned. Minimum Qualification Requirements1. Admission to the New York State Bar; and four years of recent full-time responsible, relevant, satisfactory legal experience subsequent to admission to any bar, eighteen months of which must have been in the supervision of other attorneys, in an administrative, managerial or executive capacity, or performing highly complex and significant legal work. Incumbents must remain Members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of this employment.Preferred SkillsMinimum of (8) eight years of Labor Relations and union contract negotiations experience in a governmental setting is a plus;Strongest candidates will have knowledge of city-wide policies and procedures issued by the Department of Citywide Administrative Services, and the Office of Labor Relations, including knowledge of Collective bargaining Agreements (CBA);Ability to work independently; establish and maintain working relationships; communicate complex rules, arbitration awards and other official mandates;Excellent oral and written communication skills; strong interpersonal, analytical, and problem-solving skills;MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Excel) proficiency.Residency RequirementNew York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.Special NoticeAs of August 2, 2021, all new hires must be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus, unless they have been granted a reasonable accommodation for religion or disability. If you are offered city employment, this requirement must be met by your date of hire, unless a reasonable accommodation for exemption is received and approved by the hiring agency.To ApplyFor City employees: Go to Employee Self-Service (ESS) - www.nyc.gov/ess and search for Job ID# 516804For all other applicants: Go to https://a127-jobs.nyc.gov and search for Job ID# 516804Submission of a resume is not a guarantee that you will receive an interview.Only candidates under consideration will be contacted.Posting Date: 01/21/22Post Until: until filledThe Department of Correction and City of New York is an Equal Opportunity Employer