Labor Relations Program Manager

Introduction

\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAre you a current State of Connecticut employee who is an experienced and innovative Labor Relations or Human Resources leader with a passion for executing comprehensive Labor Relations services?\r\n\r\n\r\nDo you have what it takes to deliver collaborative and creative solutions to complex management challenges in a unionized environment?\r\n\r\n\r\nIf so, read below and apply today!\r\n\r\n\r\nWho We Are\r\nAt 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.��\r\n\r\n\r\nOPM’s Office of Labor Relations (OLR) serves as the Governor’s designated representative (through the OPM Secretary) for collective bargaining matters involving executive branch state employees, excluding the constituent units of Higher Education, the State Board of Education and the Division of Criminal Justice.\r\n\r\n\r\nThe State of Connecticut’s centralized Agency Labor Relations function within OLR is focused on the following goals:�\r\n\r\n\r\n Support State Agencies – So they may serve our citizens, businesses, and other branches of government by providing the highest quality services at the lowest possible cost.\r\n Establish consistent and timely responses to workforce issues to improve the efficiency of the state employee workforce.\r\n Assist Agency Heads with planning and executing strategic initiatives that impact the Agency budget, current and future state employee workforce.\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Role\r\nWe have an exciting opportunity for a Labor Relations Program Manager position in Hartford, CT to direct Labor Relations systems in multiple assigned agencies. The grouping of assigned agencies is referred to as a POD.� In this role, you will be responsible for leading agency-based Labor Relations staff in the delivery of Labor Relations services to assist the agencies within the POD in fulfilling their organizational missions. There will be an emphasis on the development of strong working relationships with both agency and union leadership to ensure consistent and timely implementation of Labor Relations solutions.�\r\n\r\n

Selection Plan

In order to be considered for this job opening, you must be a current State of CT employee, who has worked for the state for at least six (6) months of full-time service or full-time equivalent service, absent any applicable collective bargaining language, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening.� You must specify your qualifications on your application.\r\n\r\n\r\nFOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:�\r\nCheck out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library for additional support throughout the recruitment process.�\r\n\r\n\r\nBEFORE YOU APPLY:�\r\n\r\n\r\n Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.��\r\n Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below.\r\n Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.�\r\n Preferred Shift/Location: 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 or shift.�\r\n Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State.� Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.�\r\n Salary Calculations: 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.�\r\n Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.\r\n\r\n\r\nAFTER YOU APPLY:�\r\n\r\n\r\n Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates—such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links—please check your Personal Status Board regularly.\r\n For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select “Update My Contact Information.”\r\n Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).� �\r\n Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!�\r\n Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.��\r\n The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.��\r\n Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. 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, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.\r\n\r\n\r\nQUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP:�\r\nDue to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to opm.recruitment@ct.gov.\r\n

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Office of Policy and Management, Office of Labor Relations this class is accountable for directing and providing leadership to labor relations staff deployed at state agencies.\r\n

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

\r\n\r\n\r\n Manages labor relations functions and staff in agencies of the assigned Labor Relations POD;\r\n Provides leadership and vision for numerous agencies through direction, guidance, accountability, and creativity to advance Labor Relations operations in support of agencies’ employees, leadership, and missions;\r\n Partners with and is accountable for successful relationships with Agency Labor Relations Specialists, Human Resources Business Partners and other partners to appropriately deliver solutions to agency human resources needs, support business strategy, build meaningful capabilities, identify key roles and top talent, and create organizations that are built to accomplish their respective missions;\r\n Tracks and analyzes trends and best practices in order to evolve and progress the assigned Labor Relations POD;\r\n Reviews, evaluates and advises on policies, procedures and practices applicable to all aspects of the assigned Labor Relations POD;\r\n Leads contract negotiation teams and provides technical support to other negotiation teams in the design and delivery of proposals;\r\n Meets and confers with agency officials and management, union representatives, members of the public and others and renders appropriate advice;\r\n Designs and delivers training on topics critical to the support of Labor Relations professionals, Human Resources Business Partners and agency leadership;\r\n Studies and comments on proposed legislation, rules and regulations, and other proposals;\r\n Leads through significant change;\r\n May serve as a project team leader on complex human resources projects involving the development and implementation of new systems, LEAN initiatives, and other projects with statewide impact.\r\n Performs related duties as required.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

\r\n Knowledge of\r\n \r\n and ability to apply management principles and practices within a matrixed organization;\r\n relevant state and federal laws, statutes, regulations, policies and procedures;\r\n collective bargaining and labor relations;\r\n program development and administration;\r\n investigatory practices;\r\n legal principles and practice, civil procedure and rules of evidence;\r\n rules of practice and procedures before administrative and judicial bodies;\r\n principles and practices of public sector employment, job classification, compensation and benefits;\r\n \r\n \r\n Interpersonal skills, oral and written communication skills, negotiation and conflict resolution skills;\r\n Ability to\r\n \r\n deal tactfully and effectively with agency officials, management and union representatives;\r\n analyze and balance partners need with laws, regulations, policies, procedures and collective bargaining agreements;\r\n study and analyze emerging issues or problems and make sound evaluations, conclusions and recommendations;\r\n identify statewide labor relations training needs and develop relevant curriculum and materials;\r\n effectively serve as an advocate;\r\n supervise;\r\n strategically�plan and apply innovative solutions to workforce problems.\r\n \r\n \r\n\r\n

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Ten (10) years of professional experience in labor relations or human resources management.\r\n

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

Three (3) years of the General Experience must have been in a managerial capacity with substantial responsibility serving as co-chair over collective bargaining agreements.\r\nNOTE: For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of a Human Resources Business Partner 1, an Assistant Human Resources Business Partner or Agency Labor Relations Manager.\r\n

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

\r\n 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.\r\n 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.\r\n A law degree may be substituted for two (2) additional years of the General Experience.\r\n \r\n\r\n

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

\r\n\r\n\r\n An undergraduate degree or higher in business administration, human resources management, labor/employee relations, psychology, Juris doctorate or related field.\r\n At least three (3) years of experience in administering and managing labor relations systems for an entire agency.\r\n Experience evaluating labor relations systems and developing effective solutions to address Agency needs.�\r\n Experience facilitating large meetings and mediating contentious issues.\r\n Experience utilizing available statewide Human Resources system resources to design creative solutions to comprehensive Agency issues.\r\n Experience developing and maintaining excellent working relationships within DAS’ Human Resources Business Partners assigned to each Agency.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

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

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER\r\nThe State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.\r\n

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.\r\n