New York State Public Employees Federation
 

Assistant General Counsel

Based in Albany, NY

 

The NYS Public Employees Federation (PEF) is a diverse and powerful New York State labor union committed to creating a better life for our members. We represent around 55,000 professional, scientific, and technical workers in NYS government. Members include healthcare, education, corrections and supervision, youth services, direct care, and other professional titles. 

Position Summary:
Assists the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel in the supervision and administration of the Legal Department; responds to legal inquiries from Union officers and staff; represents PEF as an employer with respect to individual and collective bargaining unit employment matters; litigates in state and federal courts and before administrative agencies on a wide variety of employment-related matters.

Position is based in Albany, NY (office setting). 

Responsibilities: 

• Assists the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel in reviewing and making decisions on requests for legal representation from the Union's members. 
• Assists in hiring and evaluation of the legal staff and in administering the Legal Department. 
• Responds to legal inquiries from Union officers and staff on a wide variety of topics. 
• Supervises, trains, directs and evaluates Associate Counsel, and assigns cases and legal matters to Associate Counsel based upon the nature and difficulty of the work and the skills and experience of the Associate Counsel. 
• Litigates in the State and federal courts and before administrative agencies in the areas of labor law, civil rights and constitutional law, and civil service law on behalf of the Union and its members, and in the areas of labor and employment law on behalf of PEF as an employer. 
• Provides legal advice and opinions to other PEF departments, the PEF elected leadership, and PEF committees. 
• Advises union officers and staff on union governance issues, such as convention resolutions, proposed amendments to the PEF Constitution, Executive Board policy and compliance with law. 
• Monitors current legal cases and matters, and issues general legal advisories and guidance regarding new legislation, important court decisions and significant legal trends in the labor and employment law arena. 
• Assists the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel in advising and representing PEF in its role as an employer, including in labor relations with PEF’s staff union regarding both individual employees and collective bargaining issues, including but not limited to: assisting Officers and managers in formulating and pursuing collective bargaining proposals; drafting employment policies and work rules; representing PEF on matters related to the evaluation, promotion and discipline of PEF employees; and representing PEF before the National Labor Relations Board. 
• Consistent and reliable attendance.

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor Degree from an accredited law school (3-year post-graduate program). 
• Admission, in good standing, to practice before the New York and Federal Courts. 
• No outside practice is permitted (after being hired). 

Successful candidate must demonstrate:

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to effectively communicate (both written and verbal) with staff, union members & elected union members, and our executive team.  
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Strong organizational skills including time management and attention to detail.
• The ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment while juggling multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Strong leadership skills with a collaborative, innovative, and results-oriented mindset.   
• Travel within NY State is required. 

Salary and Benefits: 
Salary Range: $109,762.00 (minimum) – $137,242.00 (maximum). 

PEF offers an excellent benefit package which include:

• Health insurance with Health Reimbursement (HRA) 
• Employer paid dental and vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Plan (FSA)
• Employer paid life and long-term disability insurance
• 401-k with safe harbor contribution 
• Pension plan through SEIU
• Paid holidays, vacation, sick, and personal time
• Tuition reimbursement and on-going professional development

To Apply:
Interested individuals are invited to submit their résumé to HR@PEF.org