Agency Labor Relations Specialist Trainee((Leadership Associate; confidential

Overview

Agency Labor Relations Specialist Trainee (Leadership Associate, confidential) – Recruitment #VR-001

Location:

Hartford, CT;
Newington, CT

Date Opened: 1/22/2026 11:30:00 AM;
Salary: $90,161 - $129,393/year (New state employees start at the minimum);
Job Type: Open to the Public;
Close Date: 2/5/2026 11:59:00 PM

Introduction

THE POSITION
The State of Connecticut’s Office of Policy and Management (OPM) is recruiting for multiple Leadership Associate positions in the functional role of Agency Labor Relations Specialist Trainee, within the Office of Labor Relations (OLR). Qualified individuals will be appointed to the target class of Agency Labor Relations Specialist upon completion of the applicable training period.

What We Can Offer You

• Professional growth and development opportunities.
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees.

These are full-time (40 hours per week) positions assigned to provide labor relations services to specific customer agencies – Department of Developmental Services (DDS) and the Department of Transportation (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). This recruitment may be considered for future Agency Labor Relations Specialist Trainee opportunities within OPM, for locations in the Greater Hartford and surrounding areas.

• LOCATION:
  
  Department of Developmental Services
• ADDRESS: 460 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT
• WORK HOURS:
  
  Full-time, first shift, 40 hours per week
• SCHEDULE:
  
  Monday through Friday
• LOCATION:
  
  Department of Transportation
• ADDRESS: 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT
• WORK HOURS:
  
  Full-time, first shift, 40 hours per week
• SCHEDULE:
  
  Monday through Friday

DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO

• Provide consultative labor relations services to your assigned customer Agency on issues impacting the mission of each organization.
• Play an integral role in managing relationships between the State Employee Bargaining Units and Agencies to ensure the delivery of services to Connecticut residents.
• Participate in labor relations matters such as investigations, union contract negotiations, contract grievances, arbitrations, hearings, and other labor and employment issues.
• Independently perform labor relations activities for your assigned customer Agency.

OPM’s Office of Labor Relations (OLR serves as the Governor’s designated representative on collective bargaining matters for the majority of executive branch State employees.

This is an exciting opportunity to join OPM’s Office of Labor Relations as an Agency Labor Relations Specialist Trainee ( Leadership Associate with a target class of Agency Labor Relations Specialist).

In this position you will be trained to provide consultative services to an assigned customer Agency (DDS or DOT) on a variety of issues that impact the mission of the organization. You will manage relationships between the State Employee Bargaining Units and the Agency to ensure the delivery of services to Connecticut residents. You will participate in labor relations matters such as investigations, union contract negotiations, contract grievances, arbitrations, hearings, and other labor and employment issues.

You will independently perform labor relations activities for the assigned customer Agency.

NO DAY IS EVER THE SAME!

• Perform the full range of basic labor relations functions within the assigned Agency, conducting investigations and recommending appropriate action.
• Administer and interpret collective bargaining agreements.
• Administer progressive discipline.
• Advise executives, administrators, managers and supervisors on collective bargaining agreements and employee relations issues, including contract interpretation and employee discipline.
• Conduct labor relations activities to ensure consistency in policy application and administration of agreements.
• Triage crisis situations and recommend action with the appointing authority.
• Conduct agency-level grievance conferences with agency and union officials, and respond on behalf of the agency.
• Analyze complex workplace situations and develop solutions.
• Provide labor relations guidance, training and support to assigned agencies in performance management…