Review Vacancy
AgencyPeople With Developmental Disabilities, Office for
TitleTEMPLATE Human Resources Specialist 1 (Labor Relations)/Trainee 1/Trainee 2
Occupational CategoryAdministrative or General Management
Bargaining UnitM/C - Managerial/Confidential (Unrepresented)
Salary RangeFrom $67119 to $83286 Annually
Duties Description Plans, develops, and directs the labor relations program or a portion of it for an agency or a group of facilities; directs the implementation of collective bargaining agreements; represents the agency in both statewide and agency level negotiations; and directs or participates in labor management committees; provides expert advice and assistance to program managers and supervisors in disciplinary matters; reviews and evaluates policies and procedures; and recommends and implements new and revised ones; reviews and evaluates changes in negotiated agreements; and advises management of their impact on the labor relations program; conducts the most difficult and sensitive hearings and investigations; assesses labor relations training needs; and develops training materials and curricula regarding employee relations, collective bargaining, contract administration, and employee discipline; assists the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations staff in presenting the State’s case at improper practice hearings before the Public Employment Relations Board; develops proposals for funding labor management projects from the various quality of work life committees and assists in their implementation.
PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Under the supervision of a Human Resources Specialist 2 (Labor Relations), the Human Resources Specialist 1 (Labor Relations) will perform a wide range of duties in the administration of the employee and labor relations program. Essential functions may include, but are not limited to:
Conducting various disciplinary investigations involving employee misconduct, incompetency and arrests
• Administering the grievance process
• Monitoring and tracking investigations conducted by other investigating entities
• Coordinating the facility’s Workplace Violence and Domestic Violence Prevention Programs
• Performing actions related to issues involving employees’ driver’s licenses
• Administering the Time and Attendance Disciplinary Program
• Reviewing requests for the termination of employment
• Advising employees and Management on labor relations related matters
• Supervision of administrative support
• Supporting the activities of Central Office Bureau of Employee Relations staff
• Assessing labor relations training needs and performing training of employees and Management on relevant topics
• Acting as liaison with the Justice Center, Office of Investigations and Internal Affairs, and Anti-Discrimination Investigations Division
• Implementing settlements and awards determined in the disciplinary process, issuing Notices of Discipline and Notices of Suspension
Candidates should have the ability to prioritize and multi-task, work confidentially and independently, and exercise good judgement. Candidates should be committed to providing exceptional customer service, maintaining positive relationships with various partners, and supporting the mission of OPWDD.
Schedule will be discussed at time of the interview.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nys-office-for-people-with-developmental-disabilities/posts/?feedView=all
#LI-BD1
Minimum Qualifications Open Competitive:
Human Resources Specialist Trainee 1 Labor Relations, NS (equivalent to SG-14):
Four years of labor relations experience, which includes directing the implementation of collective bargaining agreements; representing a company in negotiations; and directing or participating in labor management committees; providing expert advice and assistance to program managers and supervisors in disciplinary matters; and reviewing and evaluating policies and procedures.
Human Resources Specialist Trainee 2 Labor Relations, NS (equivalent to SG-16):
Five years of labor relations experience, which includes directing the implementation of collective bargaining agreements; representing a company in negotiations; and directing or participating in labor management committees; providing expert advice and assistance to program managers and supervisors in disciplinary matters; and reviewing and evaluating policies and procedures.
Human Resources Specialist 1 Labor Relations, SG-18:
Six years of labor relations experience, which includes directing the implementation of collective bargaining agreements; representing a company in negotiations; and directing or participating in labor management committees; providing expert advice and assistance to program managers and supervisors in disciplinary matters; and reviewing and evaluating policies and procedures.
Substitution:
An associate degree may substitute for two years of experience; a bachelor’s degree may substitute for four years of experience; a master’s degree may substitute for five years of experience; and a doctorate may substitute for six years of experience.
Transfer:
Candidates must have one year of permanent competitive or 55-b/c status in the posted title and be eligible for lateral transfer; OR be eligible to transfer via Section 70.1, 70.4, or 52.6 of Civil Service Law. The transfer cannot be a second consecutive transfer resulting in an advancement of more than two salary grades.
For eligible 70.1 information, visit the Career Mobility Office at:
http://careermobilityoffice.cs.ny.gov/cmo/gotit/title-search/titlesearch_action.cfm
When doing this search use your current title to see the titles you can transfer to.
The current Civil Service Lists for the Human Resources Specialist 1 (Labor Relations) at this location has been canvassed.
Additional Comments APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Submit cover letter and résumé by March 26, 2026 to:
Human Resources Management Office
1200 East and West Road
Building 1, West Seneca Campus
West Seneca, NY 14224
E-Mail: opwdd.sm.wny.bids@opwdd.ny.gov
FAX # (716) 517-3715
**Please reference EOA# 26-145bjd in all correspondence**
If you are responding to this posting, do not refer to the Vacancy ID
When submitting documents, it is recommended to convert them to Adobe PDF if possible.
This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS). HELPS Program titles may be filled via a non-competitive appointment. This means that you do not need to take an exam to qualify, but you do need to meet the minimum qualifications of the title.
At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), employees hired under NY HELPS are expected to have their permanent non-competitive employment status converted to permanent competitive status. You will not have to take an exam to gain permanent competitive status.
• Appointments may also be made at the Human Resources Specialist Trainee 1 LR levels. Candidates hired at the entry-level title (Human Resources Specialist Trainee 1 LR) may be advanced to the full-performance level (Human Resources Specialist 1 LR) following satisfactory completion of two-years of service. Salary range listed below encompasses the hiring rate of a Human Resources Specialist Trainee 1 LR through the job rate of a Human Resources Specialist 1 LR.
Salary range listed below encompasses the hiring rate of a Human Resource Specialist Trainee 1 LR through the job rate of a Human Resource Specialist 1 LR.
• Human Resources Specialist Trainee 1 LR: $56,655*
• Human Resources Specialist Trainee 2 LR: $63,180*
• Human Resources Specialist 1 LR: $67,119* - $83,286*
• If you are currently a New York State employee serving in a permanent competitive qualifying title and eligible for a transfer via Section 70.1 or 52.6 of the Civil Service Law, you may be appointed to this title as a permanent competitive employee.
• Preference will be given to OPWDD employees impacted by closures. If you are being impacted by closure, please indicate this on your resume.
• All OPWDD employees must be eligible and maintain eligibility for full and unconditional participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Continued employment will depend on maintaining eligibility.
• If you are employed by state government you may be able to receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on Direct Loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments have been made under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. For more information on PSLF, please visit www.studentAid.gov/publicservice
• Employees on long term leave can bid on positions but must be able to report to work within fourteen (14) days and be able to perform the essential functions of their positions with or without reasonable accommodation (RA).
• If an employee or job applicant believes that they need a reasonable accommodation, they should contact the Reasonable Accommodation Unit at (518) 486-7222 or email accommodationrequests@opwdd.ny.gov to obtain information and RA forms.
• Savings programs such as the U.S. Savings Bond and the College Savings Plan.
• Voluntary pre-tax savings programs such as Health Care Spending Account and the Dependent Care Advantage Account offer employees options to pay for uncovered health care expenses or dependent care expenses.
• Access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) an assessment and referral service that connects employees with local service providers and support services to address their personal needs.
• Life insurance and Disability insurance.
• The New York State Deferred Compensation Plan is a voluntary retirement plan that offers employees the option to invest a part of their salaries for retirement on a tax-deferred basis.
Paid Holidays and Leave
• Thirteen (13) paid holidays each year.
• Thirteen (13) days of paid vacation leave initially.
• Five (5) days paid personal leave each year.
• Eight (8) days of paid sick leave each year, which may carry over from year to year; plus free enrollment into the Income Protection Program for short-term and long-term disability coverage.
• Up to three (3) days professional leave each year to participate in professional development events.
Health Care Coverage
Employees and their eligible dependents can choose from a variety of affordable health insurance programs. Employees are provided family dental and vision plans at no extra cost.
Paid Parental Leave
Paid Parental Leave allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave at full pay for each qualifying event. A qualifying event is defined as the birth of a child or placement of a child for adoption or foster care.
Paid Family Leave
New York Paid Family Leave provides eligible employees job-protected, paid time off, for up to 12 weeks to:
Bond with a newly born, adopted or fostered child,
Care for a family member with a serious health condition, or
Assist loved ones when a spouse, domestic partner, child or parent is deployed abroad on active military service.
Retirement Program
Participate in The NYS Employees’ Retirement System (ERS), which is recognized as one of the best-managed and best-funded public retirement systems in the nation.
Professional Development and Education and Training
NYS offers training programs and tuition assistance to eligible employees to maintain and increase their professional skills and prepare them for promotional opportunities. For more information, please visit https://oer.ny.gov/training-and-professional-development.
Additionally, the Public Service Workshops Program (PSWP) offers certain professional training opportunities for PEF represented and M/C designated employees that may grant continuing education credits towards maintaining professional licensure. For more information, please visit https://oer.ny.gov/public-service-workshops-program-pswp.
• OPWDD is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer dedicated to creating and sustaining a culture of inclusion. We believe that we are most effective in managing and improving our service system with a diverse team of employees. With such a large workforce, we rely on the collective individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, self-expression, ideas and talent that our employees bring to their work. This speaks to our culture and is a key part of our successes. As we continuously recruit people for our team, we welcome the unique contributions that applicants bring in terms of their education, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, color, religion, disability, sexual orientation and beliefs.
***All people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.***
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Name OPWDD Region 1 Western Office
Email Address opwdd.sm.wny.bids@opwdd.ny.gov
Address
EOA #26-145bjd
Notes on ApplyingAPPLICATION PROCEDURE: Submit cover letter and résumé by March 26, 2026 to:
Human Resources Management Office
1200 East and West Road
Building 1, West Seneca Campus
West Seneca, NY 14224
E-Mail: opwdd.sm.wny.bids@opwdd.ny.gov
FAX # (716) 517-3715
**Please reference EOA# 26-145bjd in all correspondence**
If you are responding to this posting, do not refer to the Vacancy ID
When submitting documents, it is recommended to convert them to Adobe PDF if possible.