SEIU Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR)
 

Associate Counsel

Based in New York City, NY or Boston, MA

 

About Us 
The Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR) is the largest house staff union in the United States. We are a local of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), representing approximately 39,000 resident physicians who are dedicated to improving residency training and education, advancing patient care, and expanding healthcare access for our communities. CIR’s mission is to empower our nation’s interns, residents and fellows to fight for excellence for our patients. 

Job Summary 
The Committee of Interns and Residents/SEIU Healthcare is looking for an Associate Counsel located in the New York City or Boston, MA area with a demonstrated commitment to the labor movement. While the work of the Associate Counsel will initially focus on matters related to our chapters in New England, the Associate Counsel will also be required to advise and help the union prepare for strikes in all CIR regions. The Associate Counsel may also be called upon to assist on non-strike related matters arising in other CIR regions. This position reports to the General Counsel. 

What You’ll Do 

• Ensure that the Union is fully prepared for public sector and private sector strikes.
• Advise union staff on matters related to our various collective bargaining agreements including grievances and contract interpretation.
• Represent CIR in arbitration.
• Represent CIR before the NLRB, the Massachusetts Department of Labor Relations, the Massachusetts Commonwealth Employment Relations Board and agencies in other states as needed in regard to unfair labor practices and new member organizing. 
• Represent CIR before the U.S. Department of Labor and other federal agencies as needed.
• Provide support to field staff in collective negotiations.
• Provide legal advice to CIR regarding union governance, internal labor relations and operational matters.
• Represent and advise CIR on a broad range of labor and employment law and internal personnel matters.
• Provide legal review of CIR internal and external written material such as Requests for Information and settlement agreements.

What Makes a Great Candidate

• Admission to the Massachusetts bar is preferred.
• Admission to bars in States with CIR chapters or active organizing campaigns (CA, WA, NM, IL, MN, FL, DC, DE, PA, NJ, NY, RI, VT) is a plus but not required.
• Minimum 3 years labor law experience working either for a union or law firm that represents unions. Experience working with highly educated professional union members is a plus. 
• Experience providing guidance and other support for unions preparing for, and engaging in, strikes.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the National Labor Relations Act as well as Massachusetts public sector labor laws and regulations.
• Understanding of the collective bargaining process and contract enforcement. 
• Familiarity with immigration law and/or Massachusetts campaign finance law is a plus.
• Must be detail-oriented and possess excellent legal research and writing skills.
• Ability to build and manage professional relationships and maintain calm under pressure.
• Ability to regularly travel to worksites throughout Massachusetts and to other states in the New England region when necessary.
• Strong planning and time management skills, ability to develop work plans with minimal supervision including prioritizing and managing multiple tasks
• Excellent listening, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills
• The ability to thrive and operate in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment with quick thinking, energy, humor, flexibility, and above all professionalism
• Proficiency with Google products such as Gmail and Google Drive (docs & sheets)
• Must have a valid driver's license 
• Commitment to social justice and the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Ability to work long hours. 
• Must be fully vaccinated for Covid in accordance with CDC guidelines, subject to any laws of the state in which the applicant resides.

CIR Offers 
This is a full-time, salaried, overtime-exempt position. The salary range for this position is $130,000 to $149,000, depending on experience. 

Excellent benefits package including health, dental and vision coverage with no employee contributions; generous paid leave time including four weeks’ vacation within the first calendar year of employment, paid holidays, personal days, sick days; short and long-term disability insurance; 401(k); defined benefit pension plan; and mileage reimbursement. 

To Apply:
In addition to a résumé, we require a compelling cover letter that gives us a clear picture of who you are, how you demonstrated success in a similar position and why you want to apply for this position at CIR. Make us want to pick up the phone and set up an interview! Please send your résumé and cover letter along with three professional references to: jobs@cirseiu.org with the Subject Line: Associate Counsel. 

CIR is committed to equal opportunity for all employees and applicants and encourages applications from all qualified candidates. As a proud Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE), we do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, religion, sex, sexual stereotyping, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, pregnancy (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), or any other protected category recognized by state, federal or local laws. CIR provides reasonable accommodations, in accordance with applicable law, for qualified individuals with disabilities, for individuals’ religious beliefs and practices, and on any other basis required by law. If, to apply for this job or to participate in a job interview, you require a reasonable accommodation, please let us know. 

Please visit our website for more information: www.cirseiu.org.