Human Resources Specialist #260804-0912MP-001

The State of Connecticut, Department of Administrative Services (DAS), Shared Services Center of Excellence is seeking a multi-faceted Human Resources Specialist to join the Benefits & Leaves Retirement Unit. This role supports employees navigating retirement, leaves of absence, and related benefits, with a focus on detail and strong communication.

About the role

In this position, you will provide service delivery in retirements, military leaves, and service credit purchases, reporting directly to the Principal Human Resources Specialist. Key responsibilities include assisting employees with leaves (e.g., family, medical, military) and tuition reimbursement, collaborating with stakeholders to improve efficiency, and ensuring compliance with policies and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Propose, formulate, and implement program policies and operational procedures.
• Screen, refer, and recommend candidates for employment.
• Interpret, administer, and ensure compliance with human resources, employment, and equal opportunity laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Process human resource records and transactions, including retirement applications, military leaves, and service credit purchases.
• Develop new job classifications and evaluate jobs using established methodologies.
• Communicate with agency partners, bargaining unit representatives, and stakeholders to maintain cooperative relationships.
• Implement and assist in developing training programs.
• Advise administrative officials and managers on program policies and guidelines.
• Develop recruitment materials and collaborate on strategic planning.
• Monitor and recommend solutions for emerging program needs.
• Maintain human resources information systems and process workers' compensation claims.
• Assist employees with leaves (e.g., family, medical, military) and tuition reimbursement.
• Conduct audits of agency transactions to ensure compliance with business rules.
• Analyze and resolve problem situations, recommending appropriate action.
• Perform job audits and classification studies.
• Prepare reports, manuals, and correspondence.
• Interpret and ensure adherence to collective bargaining agreements.
• Participate in recruitment, hiring, and outreach efforts.
• Maintain and update records, files, and folders, including digitization where applicable.
• Serve on human resources project teams for best practice research and system development.

Requirements

• Seven (7) years of professional experience in human resources management, equal employment opportunity/affirmative action, or labor relations management.
• One (1) year of experience at the junior working level in the above areas (for state employees, equivalent to Human Resources Associate, Human Resources Generalist 1, or Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist 1).
• College training may substitute for experience: fifteen (15) semester hours equaling one-half year of experience, up 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 (or a law degree) may substitute for one (1) additional year of general experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience completing employee retirement applications with no supervision.
• Experience providing guidance to employees on the retirement process.
• Experience analyzing employee service records, including periods of unpaid leave for potential purchase credit.
• Experience processing transactions and generating reports using a Human Resources Information System (HRIS).
• Experience processing military leaves.

Skills

• Knowledge of state and federal human resources laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Conflict resolution and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to analyze partner needs while ensuring compliance with laws and agreements.
• Strategic planning and innovative solution development.

Special Requirements

• May require a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.
• May require travel.

Benefits

• Professional growth and development opportunities.
• Competitive starting salary and structured pay scale.
• Healthy work/life balance initiatives.

Schedule

• Full-time, 40 hours per week.
• Monday through Friday, first shift.
• Hybrid schedule (combination of in-office and telework per Telework Policy).

Location

Central Office located at 450 Columbus Blvd, Hartford, CT, with modern amenities and easy access to major highways.