Human Resources Specialist

The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) seeks a qualified individual for a Human Resources Specialist position to provide a full range of human resources support.  POSITION #23724. LOCATION: Middletown, CT. Work schedule: This is a full-time forty (40) hours per week position, 8:00 PM - 4:30 PM. M-F, with Travel Required to necessary assigned locations.   

The Human Resource Specialist will supervise the FMLA/CORE unit.  The HR Specialist carries out responsibilities in the following functional areas: departmental development, Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS), specifically CORE-CT, JobAps; employee relations; training and development; benefits; compensation; organizational development; and FMLA. The HR Specialist is responsible for all or part of these areas: recruiting and staffing logistics; performance management and improvement systems; employment and compliance to regulatory concerns and reporting; i.e. Regulatory bodies such as State of CT Dept. of Public Health as well as for the Joint Commission; facility employee orientation, and training documentation; employee relations; facility and employee communication; compensation and benefits administration; employee safety, welfare, wellness and health; and employee services and counseling. 

Please ensure that your application is complete and you included your Resume in the 'Resume Tab' of your application. You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application into the JobAps system.  Candidates invited to interview will be asked to provide the following:  two (2) most recent service ratings, attendance records for the last two (2) years.

Questions about this recruitment should be directed to  Cheryl Thompson, DMHAS HR, 860-262-5867 or Cheryl.Thompson@ct.gov.

In order to be considered for this job opening, you must be a current state 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. 

In a state agency human resources office this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of complex professional duties relating to human resources management.

Interprets collective bargaining contracts, human resource policies and procedures; confers with employees and superiors on human resource issues; analyzes problem situations and takes or recommends appropriate action; ensures proper organizational structure, use of classification system and implementation of compensation plan; screens, interviews, refers and recommends candidates for employment; develops materials for special recruitment programs; conducts orientation sessions; counsels and advises employees on matters related to employment, career development, transfer, separation, recruitment, employee benefits, and/or retirement benefits; counsels and refers employees to assistance programs; conducts a variety of investigations; administers progressive discipline; consults with the Department of Administrative Services on issues of classification, compensation and policy; coordinates performance management system; processes human resource records and transactions; maintains human resource information systems; prepares or oversees preparation of reports; performs job audits; trains new staff in human resource policies; assists in implementation of equal opportunity policies and procedures; implements and may assist in developing agency training programs; may serve at reclassification grievance panels and labor contract negotiating teams; may represent agency in grievances and other hearings; may oversee preparation of multiple payrolls; performs related duties as required.

Considerable knowledge of public human resources administration including recruitment, selection, classification, compensation, career counseling and employee relations, knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; knowledge of labor relations principles and procedures; knowledge of payroll procedures and operation and benefits administration; knowledge of equal opportunity principles and requirements; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable written and oral communication skills; interviewing skills; negotiation and conflict resolution skills; ability to read and interpret laws, statutes, regulations, policies, and collective bargaining agreements; ability to analyze complex problems quickly and determine effective solutions; ability to counsel employees; ability to design and deliver training programs.

Seven (7) years professional experience in human resources management.

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been at the junior working level in human resources management. For state employees this is interpreted at the level of Human Resources Associate or Human Resources Consultant 1.

1. College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling 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 public administration, human resources management, labor relations, industrial/organizational psychology or closely related field or a law degree may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
3. For state employees one (1) year as a Human Resources Associate or Human Resources Consultant 1 may be substituted for the General and Special Experience.

• Considerable experience with FMLA, ADA or Workers’ Compensation.
• Considerable experience providing guidance to employees and supervisors on human resources matters such as collective bargaining agreement interpretation, classification, performance management and human resources best practices.
• Experience with  MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook and the ability to be creative in the application of technology to improve services and productivity.
• Experience multi-tasking, working with multiple priorities and stakeholders.  

1. Incumbents in this class will 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.