Manager of Labor Relations - Connecticut State Community College

Details:

Posted: March 19, 2024
Level: Management / Confidential (Manager 2) 
Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week
Closing Date: The committee will begin review of applications immediately. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled with materials submitted by 5:00pm (EST) on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, receiving priority consideration.

Location:

CSCU System Office
61 Woodland Street Hartford, CT 06105 
**This position is Hybrid**
For more information, please click on the above link to be directed to the CSCU System Office website.

CT State Community College Mission:

Connecticut State Community College 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, and advances positive change for the students, communities and industries it serves.

CT State Community College Vision:

Connecticut State Community College is 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:

Connecticut State Community College 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: 

June 2024

Position Summary:

Reporting to the System Director of Labor Relations, the Manager of Labor Relations provides advice, guidance, and representation to the Connecticut State Colleges & Universities System (CSCU System) in connection with unclassified (faculty and non-teaching professionals) and classified employee labor relations, including employee counseling, contract administration and collective bargaining negotiations.

This position serves as a primary labor and employee relations contact in support of the CSCU System. The Manager of Labor Relations is responsible for developing expertise in one or more collective bargaining units within the CSCU System and becomes the primary contact associated with the specific CBA(s). The position develops and maintains extensive and productive relationships with Executive Leadership, campus and institutional HR personnel/administrators, the finance and administration functions, the compliance functions, campus and institutional diversity and equity personnel/administrators, the Office of the General Counsel, and campus and system office leadership, and all bargaining units.

Example of Job Duties:

Under the direction of the System Director of Labor Relations, the Manager of Labor Relations is responsible for effective performance in these essential duties:

• The Manager of Labor Relations manages and performs 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.
• Responsible for contract and grievance administration; advises CSCU institutions with respect to unclassified and classified employee issues; serves as CSCU Chancellor’s designee for System Office Step II classified grievances as necessary based on relevant CBA language; may represent CSU institutions at Step III unclassified grievance meetings; serves as CSCU Chancellor’s designee for unclassified grievances at the CSCU System level and conducts grievance meetings with union officials, issues written finding or drafts settlement agreements and/or MOAs to settle grievances. May participate and assist in the presentation of cases at arbitration or other administrative bodies.
• Provides leadership, direction and guidance to campus Presidents, CEO’s, Deans, campus HR professionals, and supervisors with respect to employee grievances and problems and general employee relations including but not limited to issues related to employee leave and accommodations, and employee corrective action. Acts as a liaison between employees and managers to engage in early problem resolution.
• Partners with other HR staff to appropriately deliver solutions to labor relations needs. Ensures consistency of policies and procedures and uniform interpretation and administration of agreements; and ensures compliance with applicable state and federal laws; regulations, policies, and procedures.
• 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.
• Develops and implements labor relations system-wide training programs for campus leaders and supervisors.
• Responsible for continuous improvement in process, workflows, tools, and systems related to labor and employee relations’ administration for CSCU employees.
• Serves as Liaison with Office of Labor Relations, Department of Administrative Services, and other state agencies, as well as Office of the General Counsel and outside legal counsel, as appropriate, on questions related to labor relations compliance.
• Provides research and support for contract administration and negotiations; provides support for System-wide negotiations, gathers, and analyzes data needed for negotiations with unclassified employee unions and for other labor relations functions; solicits changes and makes recommendations regarding classified contracts in connection with Statewide contract negotiations.
• Conducts research into pertinent labor relations issues to develop negotiation positions and strategies; directly negotiates settlements with union leadership to bring resolution to complex issues; reviews cost and impact analyses of union proposals; analyzes impact of non-economic proposals; and develops settlement agreements/MOAs.
• Establishes and maintains a system-wide grievance and investigatory tracking database; analyzes complex workplace situations and issues and leverage solutions; triages crisis situations and recommends appropriate action in conjunction with appointing authority; and advises executives, administrators, managers and supervisors on collective bargaining agreements and other employee relation issues; and communicates with bargaining unit representatives and other interested parties to ensure cooperative relationships.
• Ensures consistent application of the CBA’s and that any management actions, settlements and/or MOAs are reviewed in light of risk across the CSCU System. Escalates to System Director of Labor Relations any issues that drive risk to the CSCU System due to desired agreements or actions of a single campus manager or executive.

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

Incumbents must possess proven ability to effectively work with a culturally, linguistically, and ethnically diverse faculty, staff, and student. They are expected to have excellent oral and written communication skills along with strong Information technology literacy skills such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams etc.).

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in management, labor relations, or a closely related field, and a minimum of six (6) years of related experience in labor relations; or a comparable combination of experience and training.  

Incumbents are required to have demonstrated advanced knowledge and abilities in the following: 

• 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 hearings; and investigative ability.
• Experience working in a team environment and collaboration with multiple constituencies.
• 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.

Starting Salary:

Anticipated Salary; $97,546 approximate annual plus excellent State of CT medical insurance, retirement, and related fringe benefits. 

We offer a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family, and plan for a secure future. Benefits include generous leave policies; several retirement plans; and many choices for comprehensive health insurance. You also have access to many additional benefits to save for retirement, protect your family & more with supplemental benefits. Tuition reimbursement may apply if applicable. 

Application Instructions:

To apply you must submit a cover letter and resume. The cover letter may be entered as text in the corresponding box, or it can be uploaded as a combined file with the 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.

Selection Procedure:

Following the closing date, application materials will be evaluated by a selection committee. Candidates selected for further consideration will be limited to those applicants who are best qualified based on the minimum and preferred qualifications and who have submitted all the required documents by the closing date and time listed on the job announcement. Candidates who have been selected and approved to interview will be contacted, and finalists will be recommended for further consideration by the Hiring Manager for final selection and recommendation for employment. The selection process may also include practical exercises (i.e., teaching demonstration and/or other written, technical, manipulative, or simulation exercises) to evaluate candidates' qualifications.

Background Screening:

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.

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: John-Paul Chaisson-Cardenas, PhD, MSW, Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, (jchaisson-cardenas@commnet.edu).

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

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