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Full Service Law Firm for Cooperatives, Condominiums and Homeowners Associations LEGAL GUIDANCE — RESOURCEFUL SOLUTIONS E-mail: mschneider@schneiderbuchel.com WWW.SCHNEIDERBUCHEL.COM 462 Seventh Avenue, Suite 1600 New York, NY 10018 P: 212.485.9400 666 Old Country Road, Suite 412 Garden City, NY 11530 P: 516.393.5555 For more information, please contact: Marc H. Schneider, Esq. COOPERATOR.COM THE COOPERATOR — APRIL 2019 23 tive, Andrew Di Schino, an account execu- tive with FirstService Residential in New side the box by prioritizing the needs of the depends on how you treat/manage them – your hire, this is rarely a challenge. If people York City, suggests that an association first property and finding candidates who have and that applies to all staff members of any don’t work out after that period, they are look at a potential super’s past tenure and a strong skill set in those areas. The board building.” experience, in conjunction with verifying or management company will need to in- that he or she carries the proper agency vest in this individual to train them to bet- qualifications and licensing (These can vary ter understand the other from state to state, but in New York this can aspects of the property, mean EPA 608, FDNY Certificate of Fitness, but that investment will and FDNY Chiller/Refrigeration Machine pay off in the long term.” Operator License, among others). “I generally work from references, but ing potential supers, Di there are a number of good organizations Schino to work with that source and vet promising that applicants be treat- candidates for these jobs,” says Di Schino. ed with the respect war- “For example, the Emerald Guild, the New ranted by someone at a York Building Managers Association, and managerial level. “It’s a the Scandinavian American Building Man- agers Guild, to name a few.” “Networking is invaluable, adds Arel, “Many – though not “because you’ll know the type of person all – superintendents you are hiring before they start. This type are unionized, but that of individual is not easy to find, and proper- ties that have a good building engineer will the approach. Function- do everything they can to keep that person ally, they are a part of working for them. It’s currently even more management, no matter who may represent during which a super may be terminated challenging, given the low unemployment their labor interests, and you will depend with no contest. If you are an engaged man- rate. As such, boards may want to think out- When interview- recommends professional interview like any other,” he says. changes nothing about on them for your successes or failures. It all ager and are attuned to the performance of Speaking of unions, in New York, Di action, up to and including termination.” Schino notes that “if unionized, the supers are typically subject neers) tend not to be unionized. “They’re to the terms of Lo- cal 32BJ’s Resident and as such, you shouldn’t be dealing with Managers Agree- ment, which is ne- gotiated from time the property and ask the candidate to share to time with the Re- alty Advisory Board. for the systems and infrastructure on the It’s not dissimilar premises. If a board has some trusted ven- to the Apartment dors, they may want to ask them to assist Building Workers Agreement, but it to understand that the individuals they’re expires on a differ- ent schedule to pre- vent gaps in cover- age in the case of tant to involve others who have the knowl- a strike. Generally, edge and skills to determine if a given can- there is a six-month didate truly understands the association’s probationary period needs.” generally subject to progressive disciplinary In Arel’s area, supers (or building engi- being hired as the employee of the property a union issue,” he explains. “The best pro- cess for an interview is to include a tour of their knowledge of and recommendations in the screening process. The board needs hiring are supposed to know more than the board does about proper maintenance and the various building systems. So it’s impor- “Most employees are hired with a 90-day “Your building or association’s super is a key player in the smooth operation of your community – so finding the right person for that position is a serious undertaking for any board.” continued on page 46 See us at Booth 323