STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Agency Labor Relations Specialist

Recruitment #210107-5257MP-001

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.