STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Labor Relations Assistant Chief

Recruitment #220628-5681MP-001

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Introduction


ABOUT US
The State of Connecticut’s Office of Policy and Management’s (OPM) Office of Labor Relations (OLR) seeks to hire a Labor Relations Assistant Chief.  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 be accountable for assisting in the development and administration of the programs and operations of the state's labor relations program including collective bargaining negotiations, contract administration and employer representation in administrative hearings and before State courts. At times serve as the Undersecretary for Labor Relations leading staff, directing Agency labor relations staff and advising Agency Heads.

Selection Plan

In order to be considered for this job opening you must be a current State of CT employee of the agency listed above 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 opm.recruitment@ct.gov.

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 the Office of Policy and Management, Office of Labor Relations, this class is accountable for assisting in the development and administration of the programs and operations of the state's labor relations program including collective bargaining negotiations, contract administration and employer representation in administrative hearings and before State courts.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Assist in administering staff and operations of the Office of Labor Relations; 
  • Act as Undersecretary for the Office of Labor relations as needed; 
  • Work collaboratively with Labor Relations Program Managers on the improvement of Agency Labor Relations service delivery; 
  • Assist in the development of a wholistic Labor Relations system;
  • Develop long term relationships with key stakeholders to foster multi-party problem solving;
  • Participate as a subject-matter expert for the Agency Labor Relations Meetings; 
  • Assist in development, implementation and evaluation of policies, goals and objectives; 
  • Implement new procedures and procedural revisions; 
  • Advise elected and appointed state officials on labor relations issues and strategies; 
  • Collaborate with Statewide Human Resources on the development of related policies; 
  • Collaborate with OPM leadership on organizational change initiatives;
  • Direct or assist with research and analysis of programs involving compensation and benefits;
  • Mediate and resolve most complex labor issues; 
  • Administer and negotiate collective bargaining agreements; 
  • Recommend economic guidelines for settlement; 
  • Develop and implement labor relations training programs for state agencies, new Labor Relations staff and Agency Labor Relations staff; 
  • Train, review work, mentor and coordinate activities of staff negotiators; 
  • Represent state at various hearings, adversary proceedings, negotiations or labor meetings;
  • Prepare and represent the State in cases before State courts;
  • Review and analyze draft legislation; 
  • Prepare and present testimony before the legislature; 
  • Oversee Executive Branch contract negotiations and labor relations activities; and 
  • Perform related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of and ability to apply management principles and techniques; considerable knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; considerable knowledge of collective bargaining and labor relations; considerable knowledge of program development and administration; considerable knowledge of legal principles and practice, civil procedure and rules of evidence; considerable knowledge of rules of practice and procedures before administrative and judicial bodies; considerable knowledge of principles and practices of public sector employee job classification, compensation and benefits; knowledge of human resources administration; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; considerable negotiating skill; considerable ability to interpret and apply statutes, contracts and regulations; ability to identify statewide labor relations training needs and develop relevant programs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

A law degree and five (5) years of professional experience in labor relations, labor contract negotiations and presentation of arbitration or prohibited practice complaints.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

Three (3) years of the General Experience must have involved performing a full range of labor relations activities related to the administration of an employer's labor relations program and collective bargaining agreements.

NOTE: For State Employees, this is interpreted at the level of Labor Relations Specialist.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

A Master's degree in labor relations may be substituted for one (1) year of the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

The preferred candidate will have the following:
  • Experience creating and maintaining productive relationships across a broad coalition to foster creative problem solving;
  • Experience as a chief negotiator leading teams through challenging collective bargaining unit contract negotiations; 
  • Experience managing stressful situations and guiding people through crisis.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Must be admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut.

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.





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