Principal Human Resources Specialist (Labor Relations)

Are you a Human Resources professional with dynamic Labor Relations experience? Are you seeking a leadership role to showcase your team/project management skills? Do have the ability to listen, but also to persuasively convey opinions and recommendations? Do you have a passion for helping people?

If so, the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) has a phenomenal opportunity for you. We need you to help us keep making a positive difference. Lead our hardworking Labor Relations team and contribute to improving our workplace by submitting your application for the position of Principal Human Resources Specialist.

Your Role:

As our manager of Labor Relations, you will play a critical and influential role within the Human Resources Unit. This position requires knowledge, experience and understanding of disciplinary and contractual labor relations. This is a full time (40 hours per week) position located in Newington. See the Examples of Duties section below for more details.

About Us:

As one of the state's largest agencies, we have approximately 3,000 employees statewide who are represented by five (5) collective bargaining units. Our Mission is to provide a safe and efficient intermodal transportation network that improves the quality of life and promotes economic vitality for the State and the region. We offer the convenience of an on-site, low-cost fitness center, on-site cafeteria, and ample free parking. We are centrally located in Newington with easy access from major highways and by public transportation.

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).

Applicants must include a resume within the "Resume Tab" of their application. Ensure that your application is complete before submitting it. Applicants will be unable to make revisions once their application is submitted into the JobAps system.

Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.

Due to the volume of applications anticipated, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be provided through your JobAps portal account.

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Jennifer Brame at jennifer.brame@ct.gov. Reference #28312.

In a state agency this class is accountable for acting as a working supervisor over a full range of human resources management functions or for performing as a specialist responsible for performing highly complex agency wide labor and employee relations activities.

Your key duties:

• Serve as agency representative for all five Transportation Bureaus at higher level and more complicated meetings, grievances, reclassification appeals, arbitrations and complaints that are filed at the Labor Board;
• Work collaboratively with and provide mentorship to managers, administrators and others in resolving labor management issues;
• Testify and prepare witnesses for their testimony at grievance conferences and arbitration, and partner with OLR or DAS representatives in preparing for final steps in the grievance/reclassification process; Negotiate the most complex and/or global stipulated agreements;
• Research and respond to interpretation questions that involve input from OLR and DAS;
• Develop, evolve, and conduct agency-wide labor relations training and Drug/Alcohol program training; Liaison for issues and processes concerning employees with infirmities who can no longer perform their job duties;
• Meet/Discuss with District HR liaisons any consistency issues in such areas as unsatisfactory service ratings, complex questions on filling vacancies and transferring employees involving seniority and meeting other contractual obligations, negotiating and reviewing draft stipulated agreements and issuing administrative leave, discipline and separation letters;
• Advise HR Liaisons, managers and supervisors concerning complex drug testing and other labor relations situations;
• Work with third party vendor (Foley) in seeking resolution to contractual, complex or out-of-the ordinary issues;
• Manage, assign, and train subordinates in the HR unit, including oversight of the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol testing program, NP-2 lateral transfer list, FOI responses, Record Retention and conducting and responding to grievances; and,
• Serve on management teams/committees, such as the P-4 and NP-5 Training and Tuition reimbursement committee, labor management committees, Employee Recognition Committee, Statewide contract negotiation teams under OLR chairmanship, and other committees as assigned.

Considerable knowledge of public human resources administration including recruitment, selection, classification, compensation, career counseling and employee relations; considerable knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes, and regulations; considerable knowledge of labor relations; knowledge of and ability to apply management principles and techniques; knowledge of occupational safety and health; knowledge of and ability to apply organizational development principals and practices; knowledge of payroll regulations, procedures and operations; knowledge of equal opportunity policies and procedures; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communications skills; considerable negotiation and conflict resolution skills; considerable ability to analyze and interpret laws, statutes, regulations, policies, and collective bargaining agreements; considerable ability to counsel employees; ability to effectively serve as an advocate; supervisory ability.

Eight (8) years 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 the level of Human Resources Specialist or Human Resources Consultant 2.

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 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 Specialist or Human Resources Consultant 2 may be substituted for the General and Special Experience.

We would especially love to hear from you if you have:

• Demonstrable experience preparing and presenting an agency position in complex discipline, reclassification and contract interpretation grievances;
• A keen ability to analyze and interpret statutes, regulations, policies, and collective bargaining agreements;
• Demonstrable experience negotiating, crafting, and reviewing stipulated agreements;
• Success advising, guiding and working collaboratively with supervisors, managers, and administrators on Labor/Employee matters;
• Excellent communication skills, including strong interpersonal, writing, negotiating, and conflict resolution abilities; and,
• Demonstrable experience supervising and training staff.

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.