Labor Relations Associate

Details:

Posted: June 1, 2022
Level: Management / Confidential (Mgr1)
Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week
Job Posting #: CSCC 22-30
PC# TBD
Closing Date: Open until filled

Location:

Connecticut State Colleges & Universities
61 Woodland Street, Hartford, CT 06105

CT State Community College Mission:

Connecticut State Community College (CT State) provides access to academically rigorous and innovative education and training focused on student success. The College supports excellence in teaching and learning, makes data-informed decisions, promotes equity, advances positive change for the students, communities, and industries it serves, and awards associates degrees and certificates.

CT State Community College Vision:

CT State will be recognized for exceptional student success, educational leadership, and transformative collaboration with business and industry, government, educational, and key stakeholders while advancing diverse opportunities for Connecticut’s citizens and communities.

CT State Community College Equity Statement:

The CSCU system commits to bold and disruptive change by actively identifying, naming, and dismantling structural racism, systemic poverty, and other barriers; establishing equitable and anti-racist policies and practices; and empowering students, faculty, staff, and administrators to advance racial, social, and economic justice. Our core collective responsibility is to continuously assess practices and policies and transform the world we live in by eliminating inequities.

Anticipated Start Date:

Summer 2022

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Director of Labor Relations, the Labor Relations Associate provides advice, guidance and representation to the Connecticut State Colleges & Universities (CSCU) system in connection with both unclassified (faculty and non-teaching professionals) and classified employee labor relations including employee counseling, contract administration and collective bargaining negotiations as a key member of the Labor Relations Center of Excellence (COE).

Supervision Exercised:

As a key member of the Labor Relations Center of Excellence (COE), the Labor Relations Associate will report to the Director of Labor Relations and will serve as a primary labor and employee relations contact in support of the CSCU System. The Labor Relations Associate may supervise human resources staff and may also on occasion manage and direct part-time Educational Assistants or student workers.     

The position has extensive relationships with the HRSS Affirmative Action and Compensation, Benefits & HR Admin Centers Excellence, the Director of HR Strategy, Regional HR Managers, and Campus HR Generalists.  This position will be responsible for continuous improvement in process, workflows, tools and systems related to labor and employee relations’ administration for CSCU employees. 

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in management, labor relations, or a closely related field, and a minimum of four (4) years of related experience in human resources management or labor relations; or a comparable combination of experience and training.

Successful Candidate must have or must possess:

• Demonstrated ability to carry out the full range of labor relations and contract administration functions in a complex, unionized, public sector employment environment.
  
  
• Demonstrated ability to research, understand, interpret, apply and advise on complex laws, regulations and collective bargaining agreements affecting human resource management, labor relations and related fields.
  
  
• Considerable knowledge of state and federal laws, statutes, regulations and guidelines;
  
  
• knowledge of rules of evidence and hearings’ procedures before administrative bodies;
  
  
• knowledge of employee classification and compensation;
  
  
• knowledge of human resource administration;
  
  
• leadership skills, knowledge of principles and practices of employee compensation and benefits;
  
  
• considerable interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; negotiating skills;
  
  
• skill in writing technical contract provisions;
  
  
• ability to interpret and apply statutes, contracts and regulations;
  
  
• ability to prepare for and present cases at grievances or other administrative hearing and investigative ability.
  
  
• Experience working in a team environment and collaboration with multiple constituencies.
  
  
• PC proficiency (Windows environment)
  
  
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate and manage relationships at all levels of the organization and with staff at remote locations are essential.
  
  
• Strong problem solving and creative skills and the ability to exercise sound judgment, handle sensitive matters, and make decisions based on accurate and timely analyses.
  
  
• high level of integrity and dependability with strong sense of urgency and results orientation.
  
  

Substitutions Allowed:

Applicants who do not meet the minimum qualifications as stated are encouraged to put in writing precisely how their background and experience have prepared them for the responsibilities of this position and by providing appropriate references. Exceptions to the degree requirements may be made for compelling reasons.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Labor Relations and contract administration experience in a higher education environment is highly desirable.
  
  
• CoreCT (PeopleSoft) and SCT Banner experience preferred.
  
  

Example of Job Duties:

Manage and perform the delivery and administration of labor relations and employee relations programs and services to contribute to the effective utilization and management of the CSCU System including all 17 institutions as follows:

• Responsible for contract and grievance administration; advises colleges with respect to unclassified and classified employee issues; serves as CSCU President’s designee for System Office Step II classified grievances; represents colleges at Step III classified grievance meetings; under supervision serves as CSCU President’s designee for unclassified grievances at the System level and conducts grievance meetings, drafts responses and settlement agreements. May participate and assist in the presentation of cases at arbitration or other administrative bodies.

• Assists in providing advice and guidance to CSCU Director of HR Strategies, Regional HR Managers, HR Generalists, and supervisors with respect to employee grievances and problems and general employee relations including but not limited to FMLA/ADA/Workers’ Compensation, and employee corrective action. Acts as a liaison between employees and managers to solve problems. Prepares communications to CSCU institutions; gathers and compiles information in response to requests from unions, State’s Office of Labor Relations, and Department of Administrative Services; provides assistance in development and delivery of system-wide training programs for labor relations designees, supervisors, etc.

• Assists in the investigation of employee complaints and issues; assists CSCU investigators with interviewing witnesses, preparing reports, securing statements and gathering records and other relevant material; and plays a key role in recommending the disposition of complaints with CSCU campus leaders. • Serves as Liaison with Office of Labor Relations, Department of Administrative Services and other state agencies, as well as outside legal counsel, as appropriate, on questions related to labor relations compliance.

• Provides research and support for contract administration and negotiations; may play a lead role in System-wide negotiations, gathers and analyzes data needed for negotiations with unclassified employee unions and for other labor relations functions; may research contract language; may draft proposals; solicits changes and may make recommendations regarding classified contracts in connection with Statewide contract negotiations; maintains a grievance tracking database and runs grievance activity reports; and provides others in the HR department with information concerning current practices.

• Ensures consistent application of the CBA’s and that any management actions, settlements and/or MOA’s are reviewed in light of risk across the system. Escalates any issues that drive risk to the broader system due to desired agreements or actions of a single campus manager or executive. • Other responsibilities as assigned.

• This position may supervise staff.

This posting includes qualifications, experience and skills but is not limited to the full specifications stated in the job description.

Starting Salary:

$72,845-$109,267 approximate annual plus excellent State of CT medical insurance, retirement, and related fringe benefits.

Application Instructions:

To apply you must submit a cover letter and resume.

Incomplete applications or those submitted after the closing date will not be considered and links to other sources to view resumes are not acceptable.

All employment, if offered, is contingent upon proof of citizenship or employability under the requirement of the Immigration and Control Act (IRCA) and the successful passing of a background check. CSCU is committed to providing a safe campus community. Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check and, when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.

Prior to extending an offer of employment, the finalists for state employment must prove that they (1 )are fully vaccinated against COVID-19; (2) have received the first dose and has either received a second dose or has an appointment for the second dose in a two-dose series vaccination, such as Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or has received a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine; or (3) have applied for an exemption from this requirement because a physician, physician’s assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse has determined that the administration of COVID-19 vaccine is likely to be detrimental to their health, or the finalist objects to vaccination on the basis of a sincerely held religious or spiritual belief. Each application for an exemption will be considered on an individualized, case-by-case basis, and any applicant for an exemption must provide appropriate supporting documentation if requested. Executive Order

Continuing Notice of Nondiscrimination

CSCC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, marital status, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, learning disability or physical disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or criminal record. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Nicholas D'Agostino Manager of Affirmative Action, Diversity, and Inclusion Ndagostino@commnet.edu

CSCC IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER, M/F