Agency Labor Relations Manager

In order to be considered for this job opening, you must be a current State of CT employee, who has worked for the state for at least six (6) months of full-time service or full-time equivalent service, absent any applicable collective bargaining language, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening.  You must specify your qualifications on your application.

In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.

Please ensure your application is complete prior to submission.  You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State of Connecticut.

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, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.  Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position. 

This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs) which will be sent to you via email after the closing date. The email notification will include an expiration date by which you must submit (Finish) your responses. Please regularly check your email for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders, as emails could end up there in error.

Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.

The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applicants to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.

All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period.  It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception.  Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.

Any questions regarding this recruitment may be directed to the hiring agency's human resources office: opm.recruitment@ct.gov.

• Partners with and is accountable for successful relationships with agency leadership to ensure alignment of labor relations support with organizational goals and strategies;
• Proactively analyzes data and plans for emerging agency labor relations needs;
• Interprets and ensures adherence to collective bargaining agreements;
• Advises executives, administrators, managers and supervisors on collective bargaining agreements and other employee relations issues;
• Communicates with bargaining unit representatives and other interested parties to ensure cooperative relationships;
• Trains and evaluates staff and provides guidance and assistance on complex issues;
• Conducts a variety of investigations and determines appropriate action;
• Assigns, directs and reviews investigations performed by assigned staff;
• Coordinates and participates in Agency Labor Management meetings;
• Administers collective bargaining agreements, progressive discipline and conducts grievance hearings;
• Triages crisis situations and recommends appropriate action in conjunction with appointing authority;
• Analyzes complex workplace situations and issues and leverage solutions;
• Oversees performance management system;
• Ensures compliance with applicable state and federal laws, regulations, policies and procedures;
• Supports related agency strategic needs as required;
• Prepares and maintains relevant documentation;
• Serves as a member of labor contract negotiating teams, as assigned;
• Participates in the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
• May work with local and State Police, in conjunction with the Under Secretary for Labor Relations, regarding issues of criminal activity involving employees;
• May serve as a project team leader on complex projects involving labor relations initiatives and other projects with statewide impact;
• Performs related duties as required.

• Considerable knowledge of
  • and ability to apply management principles and practices within a matrixed organization;
  • relevant state and federal laws, statutes,  regulations, policies and procedures;
  • labor relations, collective bargaining and human resources management;
• Knowledge of employee classification and compensation;
• Considerable
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communications skills;
  • negotiation and conflict resolution skills;
• Considerable ability to
  • effectively conduct investigations;
  • analyze and interpret collective bargaining agreements, laws, regulations, policies and procedures;
  • counsel employees;
• Ability to
  • effectively serve as an advocate, supervise and strategically plan;
  • apply innovate solutions to workforce problems.

• 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.
• A Master's degree in human resources management, labor relations, business administration, public administration or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
• A law degree may be substituted for two (2) additional years of the General Experience.

• Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
• 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.