Executive Agency Counsel – Employee Benefits

The Office of Labor Relations (OLR) represents the Mayor in the conduct of all labor relations between the City of New York and labor unions representing NYC employees. In addition, OLR administers procedures resulting from the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements, including the step grievance process.
Experienced and detail-oriented Employee Benefits Attorney to provide legal counsel on employee health benefits, including group health plans, supplemental benefits, wellness programs, and federal/New York State regulatory compliance. The ideal candidate will have expertise in ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, and other relevant federal and New York State laws and regulations. This role requires strategic legal thinking, strong communication skills, and the ability to partner with executive decision-making team.

Key Responsibilities:
- Provide legal guidance on the design, implementation, and administration of health and welfare benefit plans, specifically New York State self-funded group health plans.
- Ensure organizational compliance with ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, and other federal/New York State laws governing employee health benefits programs.
- Provide legal guidance on the design, administration and compliance of governmental defined contribution plans, specifically subject to New York State rules and regulations. Advise on legal risks and mitigation strategies related to employee benefits, health benefits and wellness programs.
- Draft, review, and negotiate contracts with employee benefit plan vendors, third-party administrators, investment managers, consultants and insurers.
- Support audits and governmental inquiries from federal/New York State agencies.
- Monitor and interpret changes in federal/New York State laws/regulations governing employee benefits programs and communicate their impact to executive decision-making team.
- Collaborate with employee benefits administration team to develop and regularly update plan communication materials, policies and procedures.
- Assist in dispute resolution and litigation involving employee benefit plans.
- Additional duties as assigned.

EXECUTIVE AGENCY COUNSEL - 95005

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.

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 based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.