Closing Date: 11th June, 2026
Description:
Position Summary:Labor and Employment Attorney
The City of Pittsburgh Department of Law is seeking an experienced attorney to join its Labor and Employment practice group. Our attorneys play a critical role in advising, counseling, and representing the City of Pittsburgh in connection with legal issues arising from the City's diverse workforce of over 3,000 employees in various City departments. This position represents the City in collective bargaining negotiations, grievance administration, labor arbitrations, and proceedings before the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board (PLRB). The position also provides guidance and representation to the City with respect to its management of non-union employees. Labor and Employment group attorneys are generalists in the field of labor and employment, and handle a diverse range of administrative proceedings and litigation.
In addition to litigation responsibilities, the attorney provides strategic legal advice to City departments and officials on risk mitigation, policy development, and compliance with local, state, and federal law.
This position offers the opportunity to work on high-impact matters involving significant legal and public policy issues, requiring sound judgment, strong advocacy skills, and the ability to manage a varied and demanding caseload in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.
About the Law Department:
The City of Pittsburgh Law Department serves as general counsel to the entire City government. We provide legal advice to the Mayor, City Council, City officials and employees, departments, agencies, boards, and commissions. The attorneys of the Law Department represent the City and its officials in litigation, including at trial and in appellate matters in state and federal courts. The Law Department also represents the City as a municipal corporation in drafting legislation, negotiating and documenting transactions, handling real estate matters, and advising on operational matters.
The Law Department is located in the City-County Building (Pittsburgh's “City Hall”), 414 Grant Street, 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.
The Law Department offers a dynamic, collegial environment for the practice of law.
Department: Law
Salary: $73,891 - $101,110 starting salary per year - commensurate with education and experience.
Posting Type: Announcement
Union: None, this is a non-union position
Civil Service Classification: Exempt
Requirements:
General Application Requirements:
Each applicant must submit or show proof of all of the following at the time of filing the application (unless otherwise indicated below) or the application will be disqualified. Disqualifications based on any of these General Application Requirements are not subject to a Civil Service appeal.
Applicants must submit a complete application, including a resume, cover letter, and writing sample. Candidates will need to provide a list of references at the interview stage.
- Applicants must become residents of the City of Pittsburgh prior to employment and remain residents throughout employment.
- Click here to view a map of City of Pittsburgh neighborhoods.
Note: The City of Pittsburgh, as a matter of policy, conducts pre-employment and promotional background investigations on all candidates being considered for positions. The background investigation includes, but is not limited to, criminal background, driver's license, and City of Pittsburgh real estate tax payments. Candidates may be disqualified from consideration for employment based on the results of their background investigation (as it relates to the job for which the applicant is being considered).
Note: Candidates being considered for employment must submit official transcripts verifying post-secondary education (college/university, trade school, etc.) prior to hire.
Qualifying Requirements:
Your City of Pittsburgh application will be reviewed and your work experience and education/training will be evaluated to determine if you meet the qualifying eligibility requirements listed below for this position. You will be sent an eligibility letter regarding your eligible/ineligible status.
Work Experience: The ideal applicant will have at least five (5) years of full-time, paid legal experience in labor and employment law. Preferred experience includes the management side of labor negotiations, grievances, arbitrations, litigation, and related proceedings. (Less than full-time experience will be calculated on a pro-rated basis.)
- Education/Training: The application must clearly show a Juris Doctorate Degree and an active Pennsylvania license on the start date. (See NOTE under the General Application Requirements Section above regarding the verification of education/training).
- Equivalency: Candidates are permitted to demonstrate experience in related matters.
- Civil Service Examinations
- If you meet the qualifying requirements listed above, you will be sent a letter of admission (when applicable) for the following examination(s). You must pass the written and/or performance examination(s) in order to have your name placed on the official Civil Service eligibility list for this position. Candidates who receive job offers must pass a medical examination (when applicable) prior to start date.
Written: None required for this position.
- Performance: None required for this position.
- Medical: None required for this position.
Position Duties:
The duties listed below are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed in this role. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or essential functions. Duties may be modified, assigned, or reassigned as operational needs evolve, consistent with applicable law.
- Represents the City in grievances and arbitrations filed by Union employees or their Union.
- Maintains and develops expertise about laws, regulations, contracts, and court decisions affecting municipal employment and labor issues.
- Researches legal issues and prepares legal memorandum, correspondence, pleadings, motions, petitions, and discovery.
- Conducts discovery, including corresponding with opposing counsel, hearings, motions, and arguments.
- Conducts trials and appeals of proceedings in state or federal courts on labor and employment cases as assigned.
- Analyzes probable outcomes of cases, using knowledge of legal precedents.
- Negotiates settlements.
- Performs activities, functions, and other tasks and duties as assigned or required by the City Solicitor.
