State of Connecticut Executive Branch

Principal Labor Relations Specialist (6342MP)

$58.36-$79.58 Hourly / $4,668.51-$6,365.68 BiWeekly /
$121,848.00-$166,144.00 Yearly

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Office of Policy and Management, Office of Labor Relations this class is accountable for performing the most complex tasks in the establishment and/or administration of labor relations programs, collective bargaining agreements and employer representation in administrative hearings and before State courts.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the limited supervision of the Undersecretary-Office of Policy and Management or Labor Relations Assistant Chief.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

May lead professional and other lower level Labor Relations staff.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Serves as chief spokesperson in collective negotiations of labor contracts within executive branch; 
  • Coordinates, plans and manages assigned activities;
  • Implements policy related to statewide labor relations issues and collective bargaining agreements;
  • Interprets and administers pertinent laws, statutes and language of contract provisions; 
  • Maintains contacts with individuals both within and outside of unit who might impact unit activities including financial impacts of programs and negotiated agreements; 
  • Directs management negotiations during collective bargaining;
  • Recommends economic guidelines for settlement; 
  • Advises officials, agency staff and subordinates in conduct of labor relations activities; 
  • Maintains consistency with policies and statutes; 
  • Oversees development of informational material and training sessions; 
  • Provides liaison with federal officials to assure compliance with federal laws and programs; 
  • Oversees research, analysis and development of labor relations contract proposals and settlements;
  • Reviews cost and impact analysis of union proposal; 
  • Develops and manages negotiating positions and strategies; 
  • Reviews precision of technical contract language; 
  • Mediates disputes; 
  • Responds to unfair labor practice complaints; 
  • Reviews research into judicial and administrative case decisions for use in case presentations;
  • Drafts scope of bargaining petitions for submission to and defense before the State Board of Labor Relations; 
  • Consults with and assist Office of the Attorney General in preparation of court action; 
  • Presents state's case at binding interest arbitration; 
  • Participates in the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection
  • May train and evaluate staff; 
  • May serve as an expert witness; 
  • May prepare and represent the State in cases before state courts;
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Considerable knowledge of
    • relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
    • principles and practices of collective bargaining and labor relations; 
    • legal principles and practice, civil procedure and rules of evidence; 
    • rules of practice and procedures before administrative and judicial bodies;
  • Knowledge of
    • human resources administration and affirmative action;
    • public sector job classification, compensation and benefits;
  • Considerable
    • interpersonal skills; 
    • oral and written communication skills;
    • negotiating skill; 
    • skill in writing technical contract provisions; 
  • Considerable ability to
    • interpret and apply laws, statutes, contracts and regulations;
    • interpret and apply judicial and administrative decisions to provisions of labor agreements; 
    • prepare and present cases at arbitration or other administrative and judicial proceedings.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Twelve (12) years of professional experience with primary responsibility in labor relations, labor contract negotiations and presentation of arbitration or prohibited practice complaints.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

Three (3) years of the General Experience must have involved performing a full range of labor relations activities related to the administration of an employer's labor relations program and collective bargaining agreements.

NOTE: For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of a Labor Relations Specialist.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

  • College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equaling one half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
  • A Master's degree in human resources management, labor relations, business administration, public administration or other closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
  • A law degree may be substituted for two (2) additional years of the General Experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Incumbents may be required to be admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's License.

JOB CLASS DESIGNATION

Classified/Non-Examined

OCCUPATIONAL GROUP

(27)-Personnel

BARGAINING UNIT

(03)-CONFIDENTIAL

EEO

(2)-Professional

SALARY INFORMATION

MP 70

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes.  As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility. 

CANCELLATION CLAUSE

This replaces the existing specification for the class of Principal Labor Relations Specialist in Salary Group MP 70 approved effective October 18, 2022 (Revised to add Acknowledgement section and modify content) Final 23-001

EFFECTIVE DATE

01/03/2023
CLASS: 6342MP; EST: 4/6/1979; REV: 1/3/2023;