Labor Relations Administrator

State of Connecticut - Office of Policy and Management; Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Connecticut’s Office of Policy and Management is seeking a Labor Relations Administrator to lead the Office of Labor Relations. You will oversee program managers and staff, develop policies, and ensure consistent labor relations practices across agencies.

You will collaborate with agency heads and union leadership, participate in negotiations, and drive workforce solutions with measurable outcomes. A background in public sector labor relations and strong leadership is essential.

Qualifications

• Ten (10) years of professional experience in labor relations or human resources management.
• Two (2) years in a managerial capacity with substantial responsibility over collective bargaining agreements.
• College training may be substituted for experience; up to four years with 15 semester hours per year.
• Graduate degree in business administration, human resources management, labor/employee relations, or related field is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and guide Labor Relations Program Managers and staff.
• Develop policies to ensure consistent labor relations practices.
• Design performance standards for agency labor relations staff.
• Administer collective bargaining agreements and negotiate where needed.
• Identify metrics to measure workforce issues and drive improvements.
• Advise agency officials, management, and union representatives.

Skills

Management principles

Collective bargaining

Labor relations

Public sector employment

Interpersonal skills

Oral communication

Written communication

Negotiation

Conflict resolution

Training needs

Supervision

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree (HR / labor relations / public admin)

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

Introduction

The State of Connecticut’s Office of Policy and Management (OPM) is accepting applications for qualified candidates to fill the position of Labor Relations Administrator in our Office of Labor Relations (OLR).� This position is responsible for leading Labor Relations Program Managers and Agency based staff in the delivery of labor relations services to assist the Agency, in fulfilling its organizational mission. There will be an emphasis on the development of strong working relationships with both Agency Heads and Union leadership to ensure consistent and timely implementation of Labor Relations solutions.� The opportunity is available to current Office of Policy and Management employees.�

Who We Are

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, for collective bargaining matters for state employees in the executive branch, other than the constituent units of Higher Education, the State Board of Education and the Division of Criminal Justice.

Selection Plan

In order to be considered for this job opening you must be a current State of CT employee of the Office of Policy and Management 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 [e-mail].

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.

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.

QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP

Due 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 [e-mail].

Purpose of Job Class (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Office of Policy and Management, Office of Labor Relations this class is accountable for administering and providing leadership to all labor relations staff, assigned to state agencies.

Examples of Duties

• Oversees and provides leadership and guidance to the Labor Relations Program Managers;
• Provides leadership and vision so that there is direction, guidance, accountability, and creativity needed to advance labor relations activities in support of agencies’ employees, leadership, and missions;
• Creates and develops policies across the labor relations function to insure consistent application of labor relations principles;
• Designs and implement performance review standards for all agency labor relations staff;
• Administers, coordinates, and provides guidance over all agency labor relations activities;
• Mediates and resolves most complex labor issues;
• Administers collective bargaining agreements;
• Recommends economic guidelines for settlement;
• Identifies and measures key performance metrics and uses those metrics to analyze workforce problems and leverage solutions to maximize operational effectiveness;
• Assists in the formulation of budget and/or staffing plans and identifies and allocates resources in order to manage initiatives;
• Meets and confers with agency officials and management, union representatives and other stakeholders and renders appropriate advice;
• Collaborates and integrates activities with other divisions and agencies, as needed;
• Studies and comments on proposed legislation, rules and regulations, and other proposals;
• Prepares and presents testimony before the legislature;
• Leads through significant change;
• Oversees the development of labor relations training programs for state agencies;
• Leads the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
• May represent state at various hearings, adversary proceedings, negotiations and labor meetings;
• May direct labor relations functions in agencies as assigned;
• May serve as a project team leader on complex projects involving labor relations initiatives and other projects with statewide impact;
• May lead contract negotiation teams;
• Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skill and Ability

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

Minimum Qualifications – General Experience

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

Minimum Qualifications – Special Experience

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been in a managerial capacity with substantial responsibility serving as co-chair over collective bargaining agreements. NOTE: 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.

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 may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

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

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate degree in business administration, human resources management, labor/employee relations, psychology, public policy/administration, juris doctorate or related field.
• At least five (5) years of experience as a Human Resources Administrator managing labor relations systems and human resources systems for an agency.
• Experience evaluating labor relations systems and develop effective solutions to address multiple agencies’ needs.
• Experience managing the scaling of broad statewide services in a centralized environment.
• Experience developing and sustaining effective working relationships with a broad and contentious constituency.

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.