STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Agency Labor Relations Specialist Trainee

Leadership Associate (Confidential)

Recruitment #241129-5989VR-001

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Introduction

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

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
  • 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 an article by Ellen Andrews, Ph.D., along with comprehensive benefit offerings.
  • Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings.
  • Generous paid time off including thirteen (13) paid holidays.
  • A culture that encourages work/life balance.
  • Professional growth and development opportunities.
  • 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.
The 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.

HIGHLIGHTS
This is a full time (40 hours per week) position assigned to provide labor relations services to the Department of Correction (DOC).  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 Correction 
  • ADDRESS:  24 Wolcott Hill Road, Wethersfield, 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 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).  
ABOUT US
At 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 OPM's 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 the DOC 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 DOC 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 for the DOC.  

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 DOC, assessing a variety of investigations and recommend 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: 
Please read or watch our "Applicant Tips on How to Apply" page.

Read through this helpful link to prepare for your interview. 

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.
  • 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.
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) 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 in assessing 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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