Labor Relations Administrator

The State of Connecticut•Hartford, CT

About The Position

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. 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.

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

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.

Responsibilities

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