THE POSITION

The State of Connecticut’s Office of Policy and Management (OPM) invites experienced applicants to apply for the position of Labor Relations Specialist within our Office of Labor Relations (OLR).

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.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS

This is a full time (40 hours per week) position conveniently located in Hartford, CT, easily accessible to all major highways.

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

Independently perform a full range of labor relations activities related to the administration of collective bargaining agreements.
Provide counsel to agencies on labor relations matters and interpretations of Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA) for the majority of executive branch agencies in the State of Connecticut.
Work as lead or second negotiator on a CBA.

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.

YOUR ROLE

In this position you will be accountable for independently performing a full range of labor relations activities related to the administration of collective bargaining agreements.

The ideal candidate for this position will be able to create and maintain ongoing relationships with various stakeholders and parties, including commissioners, union representatives and agency employees, will have a willingness to present oral arguments in person, will have a desire to work in a team environment with flexible assignments and evolving priorities, and will be able to make independent decisions and defend complex factual and legal matters in legal proceedings.

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 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.
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.
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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 a full range of labor relations activities related to the administration of collective bargaining agreements.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

In this position the incumbent will perform the following duties:

Hear grievance appeals at the OLR level;
Represent the State in arbitrations and administrative hearings;
Provide counsel to agencies on labor relations matters and interpretations of Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA);
Work as lead or second negotiator on a CBA;
Handle a large caseload bringing numerous issues to resolution under specific time frames dictated by statute, regulation or CBA; and
Perform related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of
- relevant state and federal laws, statutes, regulations and guidelines;
- collective bargaining and labor relations;
- rules of evidence;
- rules of practice and procedures before administrative bodies;
Knowledge of
- human resources administration and affirmative action;
- public sector job classification, compensation and benefits;
Considerable
- interpersonal skills;
- oral and written communication skills;
- negotiating skill;
- skill in writing technical contract provisions;
Considerable ability to
- interpret and apply statutes, contracts and regulations;
- apply judicial and administrative decisions to provisions of labor agreements;
- prepare and present cases at arbitration or other administrative hearings.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Nine (9) years of professional experience with primary responsibility for labor relations, labor contract negotiations and/or presentation of arbitration or prohibited practice complaints.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
A law degree or a Master's degree in labor relations may be substituted for two (2) additional years of the General Experience.
For state employees one (1) year of experience at the level of a Labor Relations Associate may be substituted for the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

The preferred candidate will have a law degree.

State of Connecticut - Office of Policy and Management jobs

Labor Relations Specialist