STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Agency Labor Relations Specialist Trainee

Leadership Associate (Confidential)

Recruitment #230608-5989VR-001

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Introduction


THE POSITION
The State of Connecticut's Office of Policy and Management (OPM) is currently seeking a qualified individual for the position of Agency Labor Relations Specialist Trainee (Leadership Associate with a target class of Agency Labor Relations Specialist) 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 Specialist Trainee opportunities within OPM, for locations in the Greater Hartford and surrounding areas. 

  • LOCATION: OPM, Office of Labor Relations
  • WORK HOURS: Full-time, first shift, 40 hours per week
  • SCHEDULE: Monday through Friday
DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO
  • Provide consultative labor relations services to Agencies 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 union contract negotiations, contract grievances, arbitrations, hearings, and other labor and employment issues. 
  • Independently perform labor relations activities to an assigned Agency(ies).  
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
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.

YOUR 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). 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.    

In this position you will be trained to provide consultative 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. Working in OLR will provide an opportunity to participate in labor relations matters such as union contract negotiations, contract grievances, arbitrations, hearings, and other labor and employment issues. This position is accountable for independently performing labor relations activities to an assigned agency(ies).  

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 an assigned agency;
  • Conduct a variety of investigations and recommends 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 recommends appropriate action in conjunction with appointing authority; 
  • Conduct agency-level grievance conferences with agency and union officials, and responds on behalf of agency; 
  • Facilitate dispute resolution through mediation; 
  • 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; 
  • 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: 
Please visit our 'Applicant Tips on How to Apply' page.
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 opm.recruitment@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 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 Introduction section) 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; considerable ability to analyze and solve problems; considerable ability to effect and manage change; considerable ability to plan for and implement excellent customer service; considerable ability to learn a new knowledge base in functional area; considerable ability to 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; and 
  • Experience with the grievance and arbitration process.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

1. 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.
2. The work schedule for this classification is full-time. Incumbents must work a full-time forty (40) hours per week schedule.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.





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