Introduction
The State of Connecticut’s Office of Policy and Management’s (OPM) Office
of Labor Relations (OLR) seeks
to hire an Agency Labor Relations Specialist. As an Agency Labor Relations Specialist, you will play a critical and influential role in providing Labor Relations services within the Department of Correction (DOC). The successful candidate will
have strong leadership abilities and will be able to independently guide and
advise agency leadership, managers, supervisors, and employees on complex labor
relations issues.
Your Role:
This position requires knowledge, experience,
and understanding of labor relations, collective bargaining, and human resources
management. You will be called upon to
utilize your strong interpersonal, communication, negotiation, and conflict
resolution skills as you strategically plan and apply innovative solutions to
workforce problems. See the Examples of Duties section below for more details.
This is a full time (40 hours per week) position located in
Wethersfield, Connecticut. While this position will be physically located in the DOC, it will report to OLR, which serves as the Governor's designated representative, through the Secretary of OPM, for collective bargaining matters for the majority of executive branch state employees.
We offer competitive benefits which includes health and dental
insurance, a retirement plan, group life insurance, and other
supplemental benefits. Paid time off is also offered, including 12 paid
holidays per calendar year, in addition to vacation, sick, and personal leave
accruals.
NOTE: This recruitment may be considered for future Agency Labor Relations Specialist opportunities within the Office of Policy and Management, for locations in the Greater Hartford and surrounding areas.
Selection Plan
Please ensure that your
application is complete and have included a resume within the "Resume
Tab" of your application. Candidates who do not submit the required
documents above will not be considered.
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, supervisory
references, college transcripts, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the
hiring agency. This posting MAY require completion of
additional referral questions (RQ’s) which will be sent to you via email after
the closing date. Please regularly check your email for notifications. You must
reply by the deadline indicated on the notification or you will be
automatically disqualified from consideration.
Questions about these required documents should be directed to the hiring agency's human resources office: Carolyn Kozak at (860) 418-6324 or opm.recruitment@ct.gov.
Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements and preferred qualifications 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.
PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)
In the Office of Policy and Management, Office of Labor Relations, this class is accountable for independently performing labor relations activities within assigned agency(ies).
In the Department of Education, this class will be accountable for acting as a working supervisor or for independently performing labor relations activities that involves collective bargaining agreements not under the jurisdiction of the Office of Labor Relations.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
In this
position the incumbent will perform the full range of basic labor relations
functions within an assigned agency:
- Conducts a
variety of investigations and determines appropriate action;
- Administers and interprets collective
bargaining agreements;
- Administers progressive discipline and
conducts grievance hearings;
- Advises executives, administrators, managers
and supervisors on collective bargaining agreements and other employee relations
issues, including contract interpretation and employee discipline;
- Coordinates labor relations activities to
assure consistency in the application of policies and procedures, and uniform
interpretation and administration of agreements;
- Analyzes complex workplace situations and
issues and leverage solutions;
- Oversees performance management system;
- Prepares and maintains relevant documentation;
- Serves as a member of labor contract
negotiating teams; as assigned;
- Triages crisis situations and recommends
appropriate action in conjunction with appointing authority;
- Coordinates labor relations contract
proposals;
- Prepares information and testimony concerning
negotiated contracts or other labor relations matters;
- Facilitates dispute resolution through
mediation;
- May administer agency employee assistance
program and recommend counseling to employees; and
- Performs related duties as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY
-
Knowledge of and ability to apply management principles and techniques, within a matrixed organization;
- Knowledge of: labor relations, collective bargaining, human resources management, and relevant state and federal laws, regulations, policies and procedures; employee classification and compensation;
- Considerable: interpersonal skills, oral and written communications skills, and negotiation and conflict resolution skills;
- Ability to: effectively conduct investigations, and analyze and interpret collective bargaining agreements, laws, regulations, policies and procedures, and counsel employees; effectively serve as an advocate, supervise, and strategically plan and apply innovative solutions to workforce problems; prepare for and present cases at administrative hearings;
- Skill in drafting technical language on matters related to labor relations (such as policies and stipulated agreements);
- Some supervisory ability.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE
Eight (8) years of professional experience in labor relations or human resources management.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE
Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been in the administration of investigations, progressive discipline, or handling of grievances and arbitrations.
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 other 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.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
The
preferred candidate will have the following:
- The
ability to work in a high-volume atmosphere;
- The
ability to analyze complex investigations;
- Experience
in conducting grievance hearings or appeal hearings;
- The
ability to analyze, interpret, and administer statutes, regulations, policies,
and collective bargaining agreements;
- Experience
in negotiating, developing, and reviewing stipulated agreements;
- The
ability to work collaboratively with supervisors, managers, administrators, and
executives on Labor/Employee matters, including performance management;
- Demonstrable
experience administering progressive discipline; and
- Excellent
communications skills including strong interpersonal, writing, negotiating, and
conflict resolution abilities.
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.