State of Connecticut Executive Branch

Agency Labor Relations Specialist (5257MP)

$44.35-$60.46 Hourly / $3,547.59-$4,836.67 BiWeekly /
$92,592.00-$126,237.00 Yearly

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Office of Policy and Management, Office of Labor Relations this class is accountable for independently performing labor relations activities.

In a state agency this class is accountable for acting as a working supervisor or for independently performing labor relations activities that involve collective bargaining agreements not under the jurisdiction of the Office of Labor Relations.

GUIDELINES FOR JOB CLASS USE

Employees fulfilling this role will be assigned to the Office of Labor Relations or deployed at a State agency(s) at the sole discretion of the Undersecretary of Labor Relations based on both the individual agency’s labor relations activity and the State’s need to develop expertise in occupational areas.

Deployed at a State agency, with primary responsibility for a full range of complex employee and labor relations activities within a matrix organization.

Employed within the Office of Labor Relations, with primary responsibility for labor relations activities, labor contract negotiations and/or presentation of arbitration or prohibited practice complaints.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under broad supervision of the Undersecretary of Labor Relations or designee and direct supervision of assigned Agency Labor Relations Manager or other administrative official of higher grade.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

May lead labor relations staff as assigned.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

AGENCY:
  • Conducts a variety of investigations and determines appropriate action;
  • Administers and interprets collective bargaining agreements;
  • Administers progressive discipline and conducts grievance hearings;
  • Advises executives, administrators, managers and supervisors on collective bargaining agreements and other employee relations issues;
  • Analyzes complex workplace situations and issues and leverage solutions;
  • Oversees performance management system;
  • Prepares and maintains relevant documentation;
  • Serves as a member of labor contract negotiating teams; as assigned;
  • Triages crisis situations and recommends appropriate action in conjunction with appointing authority;
  • May administer agency employee assistance program and recommend counseling to employees;
  • Participates in the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
  • Performs related duties as required.
OFFICE OF LABOR RELATIONS:
  • Acts as a negotiator;
  • Coordinates labor relations contract proposals;
  • Conducts research into current labor relations issues and assists in recommending economic guidelines for settlement;
  • Prepares information and testimony concerning negotiated contracts or other labor relations matters;
  • Conducts grievance conferences with agency and union officials and responds on behalf of state employer;
  • Facilitates dispute resolution through mediation;
  • Prepares and presents state's case at grievance arbitrations and hearings before State Board of Labor Relations and other administrative bodies;
  • Assists in preparing and presenting interest arbitration cases;
  • Assists in coordinating labor relations activities of state agencies to assure consistency of policies and procedures and uniform interpretation and administration of agreements;
  • Leads the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
  • May advise agency officials in matters of contract interpretation or employee discipline;
  • May consult with and assist Office of the Attorney General in preparation of court action;
  • May serve as a witness;
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Knowledge of
    • and ability to apply management principles and practices within a matrixed organization;
    • relevant state and federal laws, statutes, regulations, policies and procedures;
    • labor relations, collective bargaining and human resources management;
    • employee classification and compensation;
  • Considerable
    • interpersonal skills;
    • oral and written communications skills;
    • negotiation and conflict resolution skills;
  • Skill in writing technical contract provisions;
  • Ability to
    • effectively conduct investigations;
    • analyze and interpret collective bargaining agreements, laws, regulations, policies and procedures;
    • counsel employees;
    • effectively serve as an advocate;
    • strategically plan and apply innovative solutions to workforce problems;
    • prepare for and present cases at arbitration or other administrative hearings;
  • And some supervisory ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Eight (8) years of professional experience in labor relations or human resources management.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been in the administration of investigations, progressive discipline or handling of grievances and arbitrations.

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 a 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 in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

JOB CLASS DESIGNATION

Classified/Competitive

OCCUPATIONAL GROUP

(27)-Personnel

BARGAINING UNIT

(03)-CONFIDENTIAL

EEO

(2)-Professional

SALARY INFORMATION

MP 63

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 Agency Labor Relations Specialist in Salary Group MP 63 approved effective October 25, 2019. (Revised to add Acknowledgement section and modify content) Final No. 22-007

EFFECTIVE DATE

04/22/2022

CLASS: 5257MP; EST: 10/25/2019; REV: 4/21/2022;