Principal Human Resources Specialist (Benefits and Leaves)

In order to be considered for this job opening, you must be a current State of CT employee, who has permanent state status* and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening.  You must specify your qualifications on your application.

*For employees in the classified service, permanent status is obtained after successful completion of a working test period.  For employees in the unclassified service, permanent status is obtained after serving in a position for at least six months (full-time or full-time equivalent).

Please ensure that your application is complete and you have included a resume within the "Resume Tab" of your application. 

Note: At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, college transcripts, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Raisa Capellan at Raisa.Capellan@ct.gov.

In the Department of Administrative Services (DAS), this class is accountable for acting as a working supervisor or for performing highly complex activities within a specialized service delivery team or a unit with statewide impact.

• Supervises and provides guidance over the work of a specialized service delivery team;
• Plans workflow and determines priorities;
• Proposes, formulates and implements policies and operational procedures, including changes that streamline human resources systems and take advantage of technology;
• Interprets, administers and ensures compliance with human resources, employment and equal opportunity laws, regulations, policies and procedures;
• Develops new job classifications and new job classification series and uses job evaluation systems and methodologies to evaluate jobs and set salaries;
• Evaluates team and provides guidance and assistance on complex issues;
• Conducts or assists in conducting performance evaluations;
• Communicates with agency human resources business partners, bargaining unit representatives and other stakeholders to ensures cooperative relationships;
• Provides training and development to team members and/or other staff;
• Conducts difficult recruitments involving high level positions;
• Advises administrative officials, managers and supervisors regarding policies and guidelines;
• Collaborates with administrative officials in strategic planning to ensure alignment of activities with organizational goals and strategies;
• Monitors and plans for emerging program needs;
• Analyzes and resolves complex situations and issues;
• Performs job audits, or other fact finding techniques, related to individual job classification and job classification studies;
• Prepares or directs preparation of reports, manuals and correspondence;
• Interprets and ensures adherence to collective bargaining agreements;
• Leads the processing of workers' compensation claims;
• Acts as a lead in such areas as leaves (e.g., family, medical, military), and tuition reimbursement;
  
• Serves as a project team leader on complex human resources projects involving the conduct of best practice research and the development and implementation of new systems, training initiatives and other projects with statewide impact;
• Performs related duties as required.

• Considerable knowledge of: human resources management and relevant state and federal laws, regulations, policies and procedures;
• Knowledge of: employment practices related to civil rights, equal employment opportunity, job classification, recruitment and selection, compensation and benefit programs, pay administration, workers compensation, human resources information systems and labor relations;
• Considerable: interpersonal skills, oral and written communication skills  and conflict resolution skills;
• Considerable ability to: supervise and lead team to accomplish goals and objectives; analyze and balance partners need with laws, regulations, policies, procedures and collective bargaining agreements;
• Ability to: strategically plan, including succession planning, and ability to apply innovative solutions to organizational problems and supervise.

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

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been at the full working level in human resources management.  

For state employees, this is interpreted at or above the level of Human Resources Specialist or Human Resources Generalist 2.

1. 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.

2. A Master's degree in human resources management, labor relations, business administration, public administration, or closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

3. A law degree may be substituted for two (2) additional years of the General Experience.

1. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

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

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.