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 benefits programs.
• 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, 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 health plans.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Executive Agency Counsel - 95005

Minimum Qualifications:
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 Skills:

Preferred Skills - In-depth knowledge of ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, IRS, and federal/New York State employee benefits laws/regulations. - Experience with New York State self-funded health plans preferred. - Strong analytical, negotiation, and communication skills. - Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities. - Experience and/or interest in public sector labor relations. - Strong legal writing and interpersonal skills. - Self-motivated, with ability to multitask in a deadline-oriented environment. Incumbents must remain Members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of this employment.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education's website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

Residency Requirement:
New York City Residency is not required for this position