Principal Human Resources Specialist

The State of Connecticut, Office of the Secretary of the State (SOTS), is recruiting for a motivated and talented candidate for our Principal Human Resources Specialist position with the Management Support Services Division. This is a full-time (40 hours) position with work hours Monday - Friday from 8:00AM to 5:00PM located in Hartford.

We are a small size state agency with approximately 70 employees. The incumbent of this position will be the sole human resources representative and the affirmative action officer to the Secretary of State and will be accountable for independently performing a full range of complex professional duties relating to human resources management, as well as preparing the Affirmative Action Plan. The selected candidate will have strong leadership abilities and will be able to guide and assist managers, supervisors, and employees in resolving work related issues.

All applicants must include a resume within the "Resume Tab" of their application with their submission.  Please Note: You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system.

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Sofia Bonilla; sofia.bonilla@ct.gov; 860-509-6053.

This position will be filled in accordance with reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules.

Applicants invited to interview may be required to submit additional documentation, which supports their qualification(s) for this position.  These documents may include:  performance reviews, supervisory references, college transcripts, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.

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.

Develops or assists in development, coordination and implementation of agency human resource policies; plans workflow and determines priorities; schedules, assigns, oversees and reviews work; provides training and assistance to staff; conducts or assists in conducting performance evaluations; oversees payroll function; conducts a variety of investigations and recommends appropriate actions; interprets collective bargaining agreements; advises executives, administrators, managers and supervisors regarding labor relations issues, human resource policies and procedures; administers progressive discipline; represents agency at hearings or most complex grievances; serves as a member of labor contract negotiating teams; conducts difficult recruitment involving high level positions; ensures compliance with equal opportunity, union contracts and state policy and procedure regarding recruitment and selection process; partners with and advises agency staff on appropriate organizational structure and use of classifications; develops and recommends new or revised job classifications; proactively plans to address emerging agency human resources needs; teams with agency staff to ensure human resource alignment with organizational strategies and goals; consults with the Department of Administrative Services and the Office of Labor Relations on classification, compensation, policy and collective bargaining agreement related issues; analyzes and resolves complex situations and issues; participates in workforce planning and business planning efforts; oversees performance management system; prepares or directs preparation of reports, manuals and correspondence; counsels employees in areas of career development, upward mobility and various classification and benefit issues; may implement and/or oversee an agency wide training and staff development program; may serve on reclass grievance panels; may prepare and ensure compliance with agency affirmative action plan; may administer agency employee assistance program and recommend counseling to employees; performs related duties as required.

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.

Preferred Experience and Skills:       

• Strong attention to detail;  

• Experience preparing Affirmative Action plans;  

• Expertise in FMLA and Workers' Compensation;    

• Experience processing tuition reimbursement requests;           

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team;                       

• Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills, including conflict resolution abilities;     

• Experience in creating reports and tracking HR metrics;              

• Proficiency with PeopleSoft CORE-CT HRMS, MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook;

• Ability to cultivate and maintain effective working relationships with union officials, employees, and management;

• Experience providing advice, counsel, and training to supervisors and managers regarding complex employee relations matters;    

• Experience conducting complex investigations into employment-related matters, including disciplinary investigations and claims of discrimination;

• Experience researching, preparing, conducting grievance cases and representing agency at O.L.R. hearings;     

• Experience recommending and administering progressive discipline;   

• Experience interpreting and applying complex or ambiguous payroll policies and procedures including provisions of collective bargaining agreements.      

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.