Description:
The Independent Pilots Association (IPA), the labor union representing the United Parcel Service (UPS) airline pilots since 1990, seeks to fill the position of Junior Staff Attorney. The attorney will join three other veteran staff attorneys, a paralegal/contract administrator, legal assistant, and will report to and be supervised by IPA General Counsel.Rare opening, as staff is small, stable, with average retention 15+ years. The IPA hiring philosophy is for the long-term.
Status: Full-Time, salaried, normally regular business hours M-F (8:30AM-5:00PM, in office)
Where: The IPA headquarters is in Louisville, KY, near the main domestic air hub for UPS. This position is not a remote/hybrid position. Candidates must be able to travel 25% of the time most months and during collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations 50% or more.
Primary Duties: Take part in the enforcement of the CBA to include all steps of the contractual grievance procedure including researching applicable bargaining history, precedent, representing individual pilot members in hearings (both contractual and disciplinary), arbitration, and negotiating agreements. Additional duties may be assigned by the General Counsel or Executive Board. In addition to the contract and the governing Railway Labor Act (RLA), the attorney will gain experience applying related areas of law including employment, political action committees, federal labor law, pension, benefits, Federal Aviation Regulations, substance abuse and rehabilitation issues, FAA pilot medical standards, international aviation treaty rules, as well as laws and regulations applicable to the Union in its capacity as an employer and representative of 3,400+ highly skilled pilot members flying worldwide for UPS.
Qualifications:
- The successful candidate will have demonstrated strong interpersonal, communication, research, and analytical skills.
- A minimum of two (2) years as a full-time practicing attorney is required. Litigation (especially trial) or arbitration experience a plus.
- Candidate should be a curious, emotionally intelligent person and must be suited to working in a collaborative setting while interacting with pilot union members, fellow attorneys, other union staff, union leadership, UPS labor representatives, and applicable outside contacts such as consultants, arbitrators, assigned federal mediators, etc.
- The candidate should have the ability to work independently in a fast-paced, dynamic environment while managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Must exercise good judgment and maintain composure under pressure in high-stakes and time-sensitive matters.
- Candidates should have the ability to work through disputes and challenges with attorneys and non-attorneys alike. Labor law and RLA experience are a plus but not required.
Salary and Benefits: Starting salary range $90K-$115K depending on qualifications and skills. Industry leading employee benefit package including comprehensive employee group health insurance plan, HRA (secondary health insurance), defined contribution pension (12% of earnings contributed by employer after one year of service), 401(k) with employer 6.5% match (match after one year), optional participation in other group insurance plans (e.g., life, LTD).
Required Submissions: Cover letter highlighting interest in the position, resumé, law school GPA, class rank, and writing sample. The writing sample should be a final document (brief, pleading, report, etc.) substantially drafted by the candidate and not been edited since it was submitted for its purpose.
Pay: $90,000.00 - $115,000.00 per year