STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Retirement Specialist

Human Resources Specialist

Recruitment #200708-0912MP-001

Introduction

Who We Are 
The State of Connecticut is centralizing its Human Resources function with the following goals: 

  • Support Connecticut's Growth - To serve our citizens, businesses, state agencies and other branches of government by providing the highest quality services at the lowest possible cost.
  • Drive Continuous Innovation - To increase the efficiency and effectiveness of state government using best practices from the public and private sectors. 
  • Provide Rewarding Careers - To attract and retain a workforce of hardworking, dedicated public servants committed to leading our phenomenal state forward. 
The Role 
Are you a hardworking professional, with a strong understanding of State retirement benefits?  Can you work collaboratively on a team while prioritizing and managing a large volume of work? Do you have what it takes to build and maintain a strong rapport with colleagues at other state agencies, people of diverse backgrounds and professional levels? 

If so, check out this exciting opportunity working at the Department of Administrative Services (DAS)! We are recruiting for a Retirement Specialist (Human Resources Specialist) in Hartford, CT to join our team in the "Benefits and Leaves" functional area! 

In this role, you will report directly to the Principal Human Resources Specialist where you will be providing service delivery in the areas of retirements, military leave and sick leave bank administration. This role will also require close collaboration with the Office of the State Comptroller on all aspects of retirement processing as we strive to improve efficiency and accuracy. 

Selection Plan

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. 

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Administrative Services (DAS), this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of professional human resources duties within a specialized service delivery team or a unit with statewide impact.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Proposes, formulates and implements program policies and operational procedures;
  • Screens, refers and recommends candidates for employment;
  • Interprets, administers and ensures compliance with human resources, employment and equal opportunity laws, regulations, policies and procedures;
  • Processes human resource records and transactions;
  • Develops new job classifications and new job classification series and uses job evaluation systems and methodologies to evaluate jobs and set salaries;
  • Communicates with agency human resources partners, bargaining unit representatives and other stakeholders to ensure cooperative relationships;
  • Implements and may assist in developing training programs;
  • Advises administrative officials, managers and supervisors regarding program policy and guidelines;
  • Develops materials for recruitment programs;
  • Collaborates with administrative officials in strategic planning to ensure alignment of activities with organizational goals and strategies;
  • Monitors and makes recommendations for emerging program needs;
  • Maintains human resources information systems;
  • Processes workers' compensation claims;
  • Provides assistance to employees in areas such as leaves (e.g., family, medical, military), and tuition reimbursement;
  • Conducts audits of agency transactions to ensure business rules are followed;
  • Analyzes and resolves problem situations and takes or recommends appropriate action;
  • 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;
  • May serve on human resources project teams 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.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • 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 and labor relations;
  • Considerable: interpersonal skills, oral and written communication skills and conflict resolution skills;
  • Ability to: analyze and balance partners need with laws, regulations, policies, procedures and collective bargaining agreements; strategically plan, including succession planning, and ability to apply innovative solutions to organizational problems.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

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

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

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 Generalist 1.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

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 or a law degree may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

We'd love to hear from you if you possess the following experience:

  • An undergraduate degree or higher in business administration, human resources management, public administration or closely related field;
  • Processing state employee retirement applications;  
  • Counseling employees on retirement plans and processes;
  • Processing military leaves;
  • Determining priorities and problem solving in a fast-paced environment; 
  • Maintaining partnerships across state agencies.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

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.

Conclusion

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.