STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Agency Labor Relations Specialist Trainee

(Leadership Associate (confidential))

Recruitment #260121-5989VR-001

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Introduction


THE POSITION
The State of Connecticut’s Office of Policy and Management (OPM) is currently recruiting for multiple  Leadership Associate positions, in the functional role of Agency Labor Relations Specialist Trainee, within the Office of Labor Relations (OLR).  The qualified individuals for these positions will be appointed to the target class of Agency Labor Relations Specialist upon completion of the applicable training period.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
HIGHLIGHTS
These are full time (40 hours per week) positions assigned to provide labor relations services to specific customer agencies – Department of Developmental Services (DDS) and the Department of Transportation (DOT).  This recruitment may be considered for future Agency Labor Relations Specialist Trainee opportunities within OPM, for locations in the Greater Hartford and surrounding areas. 

  • LOCATION: Department of Developmental Services
  • ADDRESS:  460 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT
  • WORK HOURS: Full-time, first shift, 40 hours per week
  • SCHEDULE: Monday through Friday
  • LOCATION: Department of Transportation
  • ADDRESS:  2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT
  • WORK HOURS: Full-time, first shift, 40 hours per week
  • SCHEDULE: Monday through Friday
DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO
  • Provide consultative labor relations services to your assigned customer Agency on a variety of issues that impact the mission of each organization.
  • 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.
  • Participate in labor relations matters such as investigations, union contract negotiations, contract grievances, arbitrations, hearings, and other labor and employment issues. 
  • Independently perform labor relations activities to your assigned customer Agency.  
ABOUT US
At the State of Connecticut, Office of Policy and Management (OPM), we report directly to the Governor and provide information and analysis that the Governor uses to formulate public policy for the state. We also assist state agencies and municipalities in implementing the law and public policy on behalf of the people of Connecticut. We prepare the Governor’s budget proposals; implement and monitor the execution of the enacted budget; and oversee the executive branch agencies that report to the Governor.  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.    

THE ROLE
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Office of Policy and Management’s (OPM) Office of Labor Relations (OLR) as an Agency Labor Relations Specialist Trainee (Leadership Associate with a target class of Agency Labor Relations Specialist).   

In this position you will be trained to provide consultative services to an assigned customer Agency (either the Department of Developmental Services or the Department of Transportation) on a variety of issues that impact the mission of the organization. You will be expected to play an integral role in managing the relationships between the State Employee Bargaining Units and the Agency to ensure the delivery of services to Connecticut residents. Working in OLR will provide an opportunity to participate in labor relations matters such as investigations, union contract negotiations, contract grievances, arbitrations, hearings, and other labor and employment issues. This position is accountable for independently performing labor relations activities for the assigned customer Agency.  

WHAT TO EXPECT IN YOUR DAILY WORK
NO DAY IS EVER THE SAME!  
In this position the incumbent will train to:
  • Perform the full range of basic labor relations functions within the assigned Agency, conducting a variety of investigations and recommending appropriate action;
  • Administer and interpret collective bargaining agreements; 
  • Administer progressive discipline; 
  • Advise executives, administrators, managers and supervisors on collective bargaining agreements, and other employee relations issues, including contract interpretation and employee discipline; 
  • Conduct labor relations activities to assure consistency in the application of policies and procedures, and uniform interpretation and administration of agreements; 
  • Triage crisis situations and recommend appropriate action in conjunction with appointing authority; 
  • Conduct agency-level grievance conferences with agency and union officials, and respond on behalf of agency; 
  • Analyze complex workplace situations and issues and leverages solutions; 
  • Provide labor relations guidance, training and support to assigned agency(ies) in the administration of their performance management systems; 
  • Prepare and maintain relevant documentation; 
  • Serve as member of labor contract negotiating teams, as assigned; and
  • Prepare information and testimony concerning negotiated contracts or other labor relations matters. 
Learn more about making an impaCT by serving the state of Connecticut by watching the video below:

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING: 
Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library for additional support throughout the recruitment process. 

BEFORE YOU APPLY: 
  • Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.  
  • Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below.
  • Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency. 
  • Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift. 
  • Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State.  Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing opm.recruitment@ct.gov. 
  • Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other. 
  • Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.
AFTER YOU APPLY: 
  • Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).   
  • Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression! 
  • Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.  
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.  
  • Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP: 
Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to 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

Please take a look at “What to Expect in Your Daily Work” (see above) for information on examples of duties in this position.

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; 
    • analyze and solve problems; 
    • effect and manage change; 
    • plan for and implement excellent customer service; 
    • learn a new knowledge base in functional area; 
    • 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

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
  • 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; 
  • Experience with the grievance and arbitration process; and
  • Experience working in a high-volume working environment.  

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • 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.
  • The work schedule for this classification is full-time. Incumbents must work a full-time forty (40) hours per week schedule.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.


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