STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Agency Labor Relations Specialist

Hybrid

Recruitment #230921-5257MP-001

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Introduction


Are you looking for an opportunity to join the largest high school system in the State of Connecticut? If so, then the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS) might just have the opportunity you've been looking for!

We are recruiting for a motivated and talented candidate to join our team as an Agency Labor Relations Specialist! This position will serve as the sole mediator for the Agency as an outgrowth of the Labor-Management conflict resolution partnership in an effort to ameliorate conflict at the lowest level.   
For over 100 years, we have been the leading force in Career Technical Education (CTE) in the State of Connecticut. CTECS operates 17 diploma-granting technical high schools, one technical education center and two airframe mechanics and aircraft maintenance programs. The school system provides a direct employment pipeline for high school students and adult learners.

What we can offer you:
  • The opportunity 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.
  • NEW: A Platinum Healthcare Plan, the nation’s best for state employees and dependents, according to a report by Georgetown’s Center on Health Insurance Reform and article by Ellen Andrews, Ph.D., along with comprehensive benefit offerings
  • State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service.  Click here for more information.
  • Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings.
  • Generous paid time off, including 13 paid holidays per calendar year.
  • Professional growth and development opportunities.
  • A healthy work/life balance to all employees.
What you will be doing:
In this position, you will provide consultative services to our CTECS high schools throughout the State, as well as the staff at the CTECS Central Office in Hartford.   You will play an integral role managing the relationships between the CTECS and the State Employee Bargaining Units to ensure the delivery of services to our employees and students.  

Working in the CTECS will provide an opportunity to assist in labor relations matters such as conducting investigations, overseeing the performance management system, union contract negotiations, grievances, arbitrations, hearings, and other labor and employment issues. This position is accountable for independently performing labor relations activities within the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System. 
        Position Highlights:
        • Full-time 40 hours per week
        • Hybrid
        • Work Shift: First
        • Location: Hartford with the opportunity to telework. Some travel may be required.

        Selection Plan

        • The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified. 
        • 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.  
        • In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application 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 on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.  
        • 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.  
        • Please visit our Applicant Tips on How to Apply page. 
        • Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Liz Pinette at elizabeth.pinette@ct.gov 
        • This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules.
        • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications 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. 

        PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

        In the Office of Policy and Management, Office of Labor Relations this class is accountable for independently performing labor relations activities.

        In a state agency this class is accountable for acting as a working supervisor or for independently performing labor relations activities that involve collective bargaining agreements not under the jurisdiction of the Office of Labor Relations.

        EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

        AGENCY:
        • Conducts a variety of investigations and determines appropriate action;
        • Administers and interprets collective bargaining agreements;
        • Administers progressive discipline and conducts grievance hearings;
        • Advises executives, administrators, managers and supervisors on collective bargaining agreements and other employee relations issues;
        • Analyzes complex workplace situations and issues and leverage solutions;
        • Oversees performance management system;
        • Prepares and maintains relevant documentation;
        • Serves as a member of labor contract negotiating teams; as assigned;
        • Triages crisis situations and recommends appropriate action in conjunction with appointing authority;
        • May administer agency employee assistance program and recommend counseling to employees;
        • Participates in the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
        • Performs related duties as required.
        OFFICE OF LABOR RELATIONS:
        • Acts as a negotiator;
        • Coordinates labor relations contract proposals;
        • Conducts research into current labor relations issues and assists in recommending economic guidelines for settlement;
        • Prepares information and testimony concerning negotiated contracts or other labor relations matters;
        • Conducts grievance conferences with agency and union officials and responds on behalf of state employer;
        • Facilitates dispute resolution through mediation;
        • Prepares and presents state's case at grievance arbitrations and hearings before State Board of Labor Relations and other administrative bodies;
        • Assists in preparing and presenting interest arbitration cases;
        • Assists in coordinating labor relations activities of state agencies to assure consistency of policies and procedures and uniform interpretation and administration of agreements;
        • eads the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
        • May advise agency officials in matters of contract interpretation or employee discipline;
        • May consult with and assist Office of the Attorney General in preparation of court action;
        • May serve as a witness;
        • Performs related duties as required.

        KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

        • 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;
          • employee classification and compensation;
        • Considerable
          • interpersonal skills;
          • oral and written communications skills;
          • negotiation and conflict resolution skills;
        • Skill in writing technical contract provisions;
        • Ability to
          • effectively conduct investigations;
          • analyze and interpret collective bargaining agreements, laws, regulations, policies and procedures;
          • counsel employees;
          • effectively serve as an advocate;
          • strategically plan and apply innovative solutions to workforce problems;
          • prepare for and present cases at arbitration or other administrative hearings;
        • And some supervisory ability.

        MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

        Eight (8) years of professional experience in labor relations or human resources management.

        MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

        Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been in the administration of investigations, progressive discipline or handling of grievances and arbitrations.

        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

        • Possesses a certification in mediation
        • Experience facilitating dispute resolution through mediation
        • Experience administering a collective bargaining agreement
        • Experience overseeing a Performance Management system
        • Experience effectively conducting investigations.

        SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

        • Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license.
        • Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

        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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