STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Leadership Associate (Confidential)

Target class: Agency Labor Relations Specialist

Recruitment #220621-5989VR-001

Introduction


ABOUT US
The State of Connecticut’s Office of Policy and Management’s (OPM) Office of Labor Relations (OLR) seeks to hire two (2) Leadership Associates with a target class of Agency Labor Relations Specialist. OLR serves as the Governor’s designated representative, through the Secretary of OPM, on collective bargaining matters for the majority of executive branch State employees.   

YOUR ROLE
In this position you will provide consultative services to agencies and commissioners on a variety of issues that impact the mission of each organization. You will be expected to play an integral role in managing the relationships between the State Employee Bargaining Units and the Agencies to ensure the delivery of services to Connecticut residents. Working in OLR will provide an opportunity to assist in labor relations matters such as union contract negotiations, contract grievances, arbitrations, hearings, and other labor and employment issues. These positions are accountable for independently performing labor relations activities to an assigned agency(ies).  

These are full time (40 hours per week) positions located in the greater Hartford area.  This recruitment may be considered for future Leadership Associate positions with a target class of Agency Labor Relations Specialist opportunities within the Office of Policy and Management, for locations in the Greater Hartford and surrounding areas. 

We offer a competitive benefits package, excellent health care, generous leave policies, retirement plan, and more!  We also encourage a healthy work-life balance to all employees!

Interested in becoming a state employee?  Watch the video below to learn more:

Selection Plan

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.

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 opm.recruitment@ct.gov.

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.

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

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency incumbents in this class participate in a formal development program designed to provide the necessary knowledge and skills to qualify for appointment to a designated managerial or professional confidential class assigned to the MP Pay Plan.

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 recommends appropriate action;
  • Administers and interprets collective bargaining agreements; 
  • Administers progressive discipline; 
  • Advises executives, administrators, managers and supervisors on collective bargaining agreements, and other employee relations issues, including contract interpretation and employee discipline; 
  • Conducts labor relations activities to assure consistency in the application of policies and procedures, and uniform interpretation and administration of agreements; 
  • Triages crisis situations and recommends appropriate action in conjunction with appointing authority; 
  • Conducts agency-level grievance conferences with agency and union officials, and responds on behalf of agency; 
  • Facilitates dispute resolution through mediation; 
  • Analyzes complex workplace situations and issues and leverages solutions; 
  • Provides labor relations guidance, training and support to assigned agency(ies) in the administration of their performance management systems; 
  • Prepares and maintains relevant documentation; 
  • Serves as member of labor contract negotiating teams, as assigned; 
  • Prepares information and testimony concerning negotiated contracts or other labor relations matters; 
  • May be deployed for duty at the Office of Labor Relations, as needed; 
  • May serve as a witness; 
  • May administer agency employee assistance program and recommend counseling to employees; 
  • Performs related duties as required. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable oral and written communication skills; interpersonal skills; considerable ability to understand and apply state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; considerable ability to analyze and solve problems; considerable ability to effect and manage change; considerable ability to plan for and implement excellent customer service; considerable ability to learn a new knowledge base in functional area; considerable ability to learn and apply policy and procedure; managerial aptitude.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates must be able to meet the experience and training requirements of the designated class at the completion of the development program.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

The preferred candidate will have demonstrated:
  • Experience in labor relations and/or human resources;
  • Experience analyzing and interpreting Collective Bargaining agreements, laws, regulations, policies and procedures;
  • Experience conducting employee investigations and making recommendations for corrective action;
  • Experience with performance management and conflict resolution for employees; and 
  • Experience with the grievance and arbitration process.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Prior to appointment to this class there must be an approved managerial or professional confidential designated class identified to which the incumbent will be appointed upon successful completion of an approved development program. Incumbents in this class must meet the experience and training requirements of the identified designated class at the end of the development program.
2. The work schedule for this classification is full-time. Incumbents must work a full-time forty (40) hours per week schedule.
3. Incumbents in this class will be eligible for reclassification to the designated class without competitive examination upon successful completion of the development program and satisfactory service. The length of the development program should be designed around the requirements of the designated class and the prior experience of the incumbent but in no case should be less than one (1) year or exceed three (3) calendar years in accordance with C.G.S. 5-234.
4. All appointments to this class shall be under terms of an approved development program and in accordance with a time schedule approved by the Department of Administrative Services.
5. No additional working test period shall be required upon successful completion of the development program.

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.