STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Agency Labor Relations Manager

Recruitment #230525-5258MP-001

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Introduction

THE POSITION
The State of Connecticut, Office of Policy and Management (OPM) is currently seeking a qualified individual for the position of Agency Labor Relations Manager within the Office of Labor Relations (OLR).

HIGHLIGHTS
This is a full time (40 hours per week) position located in the greater Hartford area.  This recruitment may be considered for future Agency Labor Relations Manager opportunities within OPM, for locations in the Greater Hartford and surrounding areas. 
  • LOCATION: OPM, Office of Labor Relations
  • ADDRESS: 450 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT
  • WORK HOURS: Full-time, first shift, 40 hours per week
  • SCHEDULE: Monday through Friday
DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO
  • Manage a team that administers Labor Relations activities in the Department of Motor Vehicles, Department of Revenue Services, and the Department of Public Health.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for State Agencies that do not have on-site Labor Relations staff.
  • Support ongoing efforts to provide Labor Relations training and education within OLR and beyond. 
WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU 
  • You will get to work with a team that will appreciate your creativity and ability to problem-solve.
  • Every day will present something new, different, and interesting.
  • To work for a Forbes top company: ‘Forbes’ State of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023 - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule;
  • We offer a competitive benefits plan that includes healthcare coverage, a retirement plan as well as paid time off, including 13 paid holidays per calendar year. 
  • We encourage a strong work/life balance for all state employees, including access to hybrid telework options. 
  • We offer opportunities for professional and personal growth. 
ABOUT US
The State of Connecticut’s Office of Policy and Management’s (OPM) Office of Labor Relations (OLR) seeks to hire an Agency Labor Relations Manager.  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
  • You will provide leadership over the staff and operations of the Labor Relations program for three state agencies – the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Department of Revenue Services, and the Department of Public Health.
  • You will work with your staff to provide consultative Labor Relations 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.
  • You will provide Labor Relations advice and guidance to State Agencies that do not have on-site dedicated labor relations staff.
  • Working with the Office of Labor Relations will afford you an opportunity to participate in Labor Relations matters such as union contract negotiations, contract grievances, arbitrations, hearings, and other labor and employment issues.
  • You will support the development of staff within the Office of Labor Relations by coordinating training plans and events.
  • You will support the communication of critical Labor Relations information to statewide stakeholders by coordinating ongoing informational/educational sessions.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN YOUR DAILY WORK
NO DAY IS EVER THE SAME!  You can expect to:
  • Partner with and develop successful relationships with agency leadership to ensure alignment of labor relations support with organizational goals and strategies;
  • Proactively analyze data and plans for emerging agency labor relations needs;
  • Interpret and ensure adherence to collective bargaining agreements;
  • Advise executives, administrators, managers and supervisors on collective bargaining agreements and other employee relations issues;
  • Communicate with bargaining unit representatives and other interested parties to ensure cooperative relationships;
  • Train, evaluate, support, and guide your staff;
  • Perform sensitive investigations into complex issues, and determine appropriate action;
  • Assign, direct and review investigations performed by your staff;
  • Coordinate and participate in Agency Labor Management meetings;
  • Administer collective bargaining agreements, progressive discipline and conducts grievance hearings;
  • Triage crisis situations and recommend appropriate action in conjunction with appointing authority;
  • Analyze complex workplace situations and issues and leverage solutions; and
  • Ensure compliance with applicable state and federal laws, regulations, policies and procedures.

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING: 
Please visit our 'Applicant Tips on How to Apply' page.

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.

To Apply:
  • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening.  You must specify your qualifications on your application.
  • The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
  • Ensure that your application is complete and detailed before submitting it. In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process. You will not be able to make revisions once your application is submitted into the JobAps system.
  • Please 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.
  • 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.
After You Apply: 
  • Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board daily to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
  • This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders daily in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam. 
  • 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, 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. 
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class. Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
Connect With Us:
  • Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. 
  • If have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact opm.recruitment@ct.gov. 
  • Follow the State of Connecticut on Linkedin.     

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Office of Policy and Management, Office of Labor Relations this class is deployed at an agency and is accountable for providing leadership over the staff and operations of an agency’s labor relations program.

In a state agency this class is accountable for providing leadership over the staff and operations of an agency’s labor relations program that involves collective bargaining agreements not under the jurisdiction of the Office of Labor Relations.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

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

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • 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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Nine (9) years of professional experience in labor relations or human resources management.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been at the full advanced working level in human resources or labor relations management.

NOTE: For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of Principal Human Resources Specialist, Human Resources Generalist 3 or Agency Labor Relations Specialist.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

  • 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.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
  • Demonstrated ability to think critically and solve problems.
  • Demonstrated ability to provide leadership, including during emergency situations.
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, including during confrontational settings.
  • Experience planning, organizing, and/or delivering training on topics pertaining to Human Resources or Labor Relations management.
  • Experience providing general Human Resources services to company employees.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • 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.

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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