Secretary 2 (Confidential)

Department of Labor • Wethersfield, CT

11h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Connecticut Department of Labor is hiring two Secretary 2 (Confidential) employees for the State Board of Mediation and Arbitration in Wethersfield, Connecticut. The Board provides mediation and arbitration services to employers and employee organizations in the public and private sectors, with the goals of resolving labor disputes, supporting peaceful employer-employee relations, and promoting equity between labor and management. The position is full-time, first shift, Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week. Situational telework is available.

The secretary independently performs a full range of secretarial support functions requiring an understanding of organizational policies and procedures. The role administers grievance arbitration, mediation, interest-binding arbitration, and contract-case processes, including receiving and processing requests, assigning mediators and arbitrators, scheduling hearings, preparing hearing rooms, producing and distributing correspondence and awards, maintaining records and databases, and closing case files. The work involves time-sensitive procedures and extensive record keeping.

Secretarial staff share phone coverage and cross-train to support all facets of the SBMA office. The secretary may assist with grievance processing and payments, arbitration scheduling and assignments, motions to vacate, supplies, reports and worksheets, and support for mediators. The position also performs related secretarial and office-management duties, including correspondence, filing, reporting, meeting coordination, and supply and equipment administration.

Requirements

• Three years of experience above the routine clerk level in office support or secretarial work.
• At least one year of the general experience must have been as a Secretary 1 or equivalent.
• College training in secretarial sciences may substitute for general experience: 15 semester hours equals one-half year of experience, up to a maximum of two years.
• Considerable knowledge of office systems and procedures; grammar, punctuation and spelling; business communications; department or unit policies and procedures; and business math.
• Interpersonal, oral communication, and written communication skills.
• Ability to schedule and prioritize office workflow, operate computers, tablets, other electronic equipment and office-suite software, and take notes using shorthand, speedwriting, or another method acceptable to the supervisor.

Nice To Haves

• Experience using computers and applications including Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, and Teams) to communicate with staff and the public and create, edit, and share electronic documents.
• Experience handling large volumes of calls and email and triaging and prioritizing communications with the public, staff, and outside parties.
• Experience managing multiple and competing priorities.
• Experience creating, organizing, and accurately maintaining a large number of files.
• Experience working cooperatively in a small team environment.
• Experience creating and processing payment vouchers, billing, and travel reimbursements.
• Experience scheduling and managing administrative hearings.
• Experience in labor relations and/or collective bargaining.

Responsibilities

• Administer grievance arbitration cases by processing requests, assigning arbitrators, scheduling hearings, corresponding with arbitrators and parties, preparing hearing rooms, and processing and distributing awards.
• Process and follow up on requests for grievance mediation, assign mediators and case numbers, send confirmations and assignments, maintain mediator contact information, enter database information, and schedule matters.
• Process interest-binding arbitration cases, including creating and sending time-sensitive correspondence, maintaining records, and sequentially processing panel selections, hearing schedules, and possible timeline waivers.
• Process mediation requests made during binding arbitration procedures.
• Close contract case files and process contract awards, including preparing correspondence, directing parties to complete forms, distributing completed materials, updating databases, and closing files.
• Provide shared phone coverage and cross-train in SBMA office functions, including grievance and payment processing, arbitration scheduling and assignments, researching motions to vacate, and ordering supplies.
• Assist with complex binding arbitration procedures during peak periods and answer staff questions about the process.
• Prepare Excel reports and case worksheets and help staff learn to process cases independently when needed.
• Support mediators by checking reports, case follow-up, mediation sessions, and required forms for timely updates.
• Perform a full range of secretarial duties, including typing and proofreading correspondence and reports, maintaining confidential files, composing letters and memoranda, compiling reports, answering and screening calls, coordinating meetings, taking notes or minutes, and maintaining office supplies and records.

Benefits

• Professional growth and paid professional development opportunities.
• Healthy work-life balance.
• Eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer; qualifying student loans may be eligible for forgiveness after 10 years of service.
• State employee benefits are referenced in the State Employee Benefits Overview.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed