STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Leave of Absence Specialist (Hybrid)

Recruitment #230607-0912MP-100

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Introduction



 Do your customers describe you as responsive, knowledgeable, and compassionate toward their leave of absence needs?
 Are you an experienced leave administrator?
If so, read below and apply today!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Administrative Services (DAS) has an exciting anticipated opportunity for you to join our Benefits and Leaves team as a Leave of Absence Specialist (Human Resources Specialist).

What We Can Offer You
  • 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
  • Our office is centrally located in Hartford, CT alongside the Connecticut River with walkable access to museums, a science center, and great restaurants.
  • A competitive starting salary
  • Excellent state benefits package, including health and dental coverage
  • Generous paid time off
  • Retirement plan options
  • Alternate work schedules
  • A healthy work-life balance to all employees!
Position Details:
We recognize the value of our employees – their dedication to their profession and their commitment to providing a safe and thriving environment for our community. We also understand that there are times when our employees find themselves needing to take time away from work. This is where we come in. Our staff work together to support our employees with their need for leave for everything from having a baby, to receiving a scary medical diagnosis, and everything in between. If this sounds like something that you want to be a part of, keep reading!

This position will work as part of a service delivery team providing first-rate support to employees, as well as partnering with Human Resources Business Partners, supervisors, and various other stakeholders and will be responsible for:
  • Independently interpreting and administering leave programs and policies in accordance with the applicable federal and state employment laws (FMLA, ADA, Pregnancy Discrimination Act, etc.) as well as collective bargaining agreements.
  • Ensuring compliance with federal and state statutes regarding leave entitlements.
  • Providing effective and responsive communication with employees, agency human resources partners, bargaining unit representatives and other partners to ensure collaborative relationships.
  • Maintaining complete and accurate records of leave requests and supporting documentation.
  • Analyzing and resolving problem situations and takes or recommends appropriate action in collaboration with supervisor.
  • Other related duties as outlined in the Human Resources Specialist job specification. 
About Us: We have centralized our Human Resources functions to achieve the following goals: 
  • Support Connecticut's Growth - To serve our citizens, businesses, state agencies and other branches of government by providing the highest quality services at the lowest possible cost.
  • Drive Continuous Innovation - To increase the efficiency and effectiveness of state government using best practices from the public and private sectors.
  • Provide Rewarding Careers - To attract and retain a workforce of hardworking, dedicated public servants committed to leading our phenomenal state forward.

Selection Plan

To Apply:
  • In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.
  • The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
  • Please ensure that your application is complete before submitting it. Applicants will be unable to make revisions once their application is submitted into the JobAps system. Applicants who submit and subsequently withdraw their application will not be able to resubmit for the same posting.
  • 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.
  • For assistance in applying, please visit our 'Applicant Tips on How to Apply' page
Important Next Step Information for 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 on a daily basis 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 on a daily basis 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, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.
  • The immediate vacancies are 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.
  • 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 which is available at www.ct.gov/ethics
Connect With Us:
Due to the large volume of applications received, the State of Connecticut is unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment please contact Hayley Newhouse at Hayley.Newhouse@ct.gov.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of professional human resources duties within a specialized service delivery team or a unit with statewide impact.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Proposes, formulates and implements program policies and operational procedures;
  • Screens, refers and recommends candidates for employment;
  • Interprets, administers and ensures compliance with human resources, employment and equal opportunity laws, regulations, policies and procedures;
  • Processes human resource records and transactions;
  • Develops new job classifications and new job classification series and uses job evaluation systems and methodologies to evaluate jobs and set salaries;
  • Communicates with agency human resources partners, bargaining unit representatives and other stakeholders to ensure cooperative relationships;
  • Implements and may assist in developing training programs;
  • Advises administrative officials, managers and supervisors regarding program policy and guidelines;
  • Develops materials for recruitment programs;
  • Collaborates with administrative officials in strategic planning to ensure alignment of activities with organizational goals and strategies;
  • Monitors and makes recommendations for emerging program needs;
  • Maintains human resources information systems;
  • Processes workers' compensation claims;
  • Provides assistance to employees in areas such as leaves (e.g., family, medical, military), and tuition reimbursement;
  • Conducts audits of agency transactions to ensure business rules are followed;
  • Analyzes and resolves problem situations and takes or recommends appropriate action;
  • Performs job audits, or other fact finding techniques, related to individual job classification and job classification studies;
  • Prepares or directs preparation of reports, manuals and correspondence;
  • Interprets and ensures adherence to collective bargaining agreements;
  • Participates in the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
  • Ensures all records, files and folders are maintained, updated and digitized, where applicable;
  • May serve on human resources project teams involving the conduct of best practice research and the development and implementation of new systems, training initiatives and other projects with statewide impact;
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Knowledge of
    • relevant state and federal laws, statutes, regulations, policies and procedures;
    • human resources management;
    • employment practices related to civil rights, equal employment opportunity, job classification, recruitment and selection, compensation and benefit programs, pay administration, workers compensation and labor relations;
  • Considerable
    • interpersonal skills; 
    • oral and written communication skills;
    • conflict resolution skills;
  • Ability to
    • analyze and balance partners need with laws, regulations, policies, procedures and collective bargaining agreements; 
    • strategically plan, including succession planning; 
    • apply innovative solutions to organizational problems.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Seven (7) years of professional experience in human resources or equal employment opportunity/affirmative action or labor relations management.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been at the junior working level in human resources management.

NOTE: For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of a Human Resources Associate, Human Resources Generalist 1, or Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist 1.

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 or a law degree may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
  • For state employees one (1) year as a Human Resources Associate, Human Resources Generalist 1, or Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist 1 may be substituted for the General and Special Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor’s Degree.
  • Experience administering leaves under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) in an organization greater than 1000 employees.
  • Experience tracking leave usage in accordance with Federal and CT FMLA laws.
  • Experience with Peoplesoft or Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS).
  • Experience advising individuals on matters related to leaves of absence.
  • Experience prioritizing work assignments with competing deadlines.

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.

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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