Connecticut Careers Trainee(Target Class: Labor Department Community Services Representative)

Introduction

Are you passionate about empowering individuals to achieve meaningful employment and break the cycle of dependency? The Department of Labor's Welfare to Work unit is seeking a  Social & Human Services to work for our transformative Jobs First Employment Services (JFES) program in collaboration with the Connecticut Department of Social Services and Workforce Development Boards. What we can you: The opportunity to work for a Forbes top company: ' Forbes ' - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule. NEW:  A Platinum Healthcare Plan, the nation’s best for state employees and dependents, according to a report by Georgetown’s Center on Health Insurance Reform and article by Ellen Andrews,Ph.D., along with  The State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service. Click for more information. Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings. Generous paid time off, including 13 paid holidays per calendar year. Professional growth and development opportunities. A healthy work/life balance to all employees. About Us: The JFES program (JFES) program helps parents gain the skills needed to obtain meaningful employment and become independent of Cash Assistance or welfare benefits. This position involves working with a small, dynamic team of individuals who oversee the JFES program while looking for creative, innovative strategies to alleviate poverty for our program participants. Role Overview: In the training program you will learn the ins and outs of operational support and program development. From conducting program assessments to providing technical assistance and developing training initiatives, your contributions will directly impact the success of our participants. This opportunity is a Hybrid, 40-hour, 1st shift full time, M-F, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM. This position, though located at the Central Office in Wethersfield, CT. May travel to regional offices on rare occasions. Appointment: The length of the development program is determined by the experience and training requirements of the designated class and the prior experience of the incumbent. At the completion of the development program incumbents must meet the experience and training requirements of the designated class. The program cannot be less than one (1) year and cannot exceed three (3) calendar years in accordance with C.G.S. 5-234. Incumbents in this class will be eligible for reclassification to the designated class without competitive examination upon successful completion of the development program and satisfactory service. Target Class:  Salary: First year of training Bachelor's degree and/or qualifying experience SH 15 Step 1 ($51,072) Master's degree SH 15 Step 2 ($52,920) The salary for an employee who completes any of the above minimum requirements after initial appointment to the Connecticut Careers Trainee job class will be adjusted commensurate with the schedule above and effective the pay period following the date the master’s degree has been conferred or the pay period following the date the appropriate number of credits as indicated above have been earned. For current state employees, compensation will be in accordance with guidelines for computing salary adjustments set forth by the Department of Administrative Services, Determining Salary Upon Change in Class manual. Ready to Make a Difference? If you're excited to contribute to innovative solutions and empower individuals towards self-sufficiency, we want to hear from you. Apply now to join us in transforming lives through the Jobs First Employment Services program This is more than a job—it's an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals and families. We offer a supportive work environment, professional development opportunities, and the chance to be part of a collaborative team dedicated to driving positive change. Are you skilled in diverse customer service, adept at managing multiple priorities, and proficient in Windows 10 programs? Do you have a background in Sociology, Psychology, Social Work, or the social services field, with strong communication and independent presentation abilities? Join us as a Program Coordinator and make a meaningful impact through our Welfare to Work initiatives. Apply now to drive positive change

Selection Plan

Please visit our '' page or view our . The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified. Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.  In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process. This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.  Note: At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position.  Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Liz Pinette at .  This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class. All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to . For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other. Read through this helpful link to .

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency this class is accountable for mastering the skills necessary to satisfactorily complete the training program for a professional position.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

In a department or institution receives training in introductory governmental work for development of skills and knowledge in field of public administration in order to qualify for advancement into agency professional positions; Labor Department Community Services Representative () Performs a variety of increasingly difficult duties as skills are acquired during course of training period; OPERATIONAL SUPPORT UNIT: Assists and participates in activities such as program development, automation support, monitoring and evaluation, training and/or technical assistance to field staff in various program areas; Assists in developing training programs in assigned functional areas; Participates in monitoring programs and activities for completeness, compliance with legal mandates, fiscal requirements, efficiency and customer satisfaction; Assists in analyzing impact of state and/or federal legislation and regulations on departmental programs and procedures; Assists in development of procedural manuals and memoranda. May speak before groups. Performs related duties as required. More information can be found. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Oral and written communication skills;  Ability to acquire knowledge and skills required for the target classification; understand, evaluate and solve problems by exercising judgement and logic; read, interpret and understand written material; perform basic arithmetical computations; interpret charts, graphs and tables; learn and reason; establish and maintain cooperative relations with superiors, associates and general public; utilize computer software.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates must be able to meet the experience and training requirements of the designated job class at the completion of the development program.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience providing customer service to individuals from various backgrounds. Experience managing multiple priorities while meeting deadlines. Experience using programs in Windows 10 including using Teams, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. Applicable work experience or college level coursework completed in the fields of Sociology, Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, Public Administration or Public Policy. Experience writing desk aids or instructional guides. Experience working collaboratively with other units, agencies or organizations on projects or programs. Experience utilizing critical thinking, interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills. Experience in creating PowerPoint presentations with graphics, including Presenter notes without assistance.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.

Overview

Employee Benefits As a State of Connecticut employee you may be entitled to a host of benefits that are not only attractive, but also may be portable should your career bring you to other avenues of state service. From 13 paid holidays to accruing vacation time, being a State of Connecticut employee not only gives you the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life, but the time to enjoy your own. Listed below are just some of the benefits the State of Connecticut offers depending on the position you hold: Health & Dental Insurance Accrued Vacation, Personal and Sick Leave (Subject to the appropriate bargaining union contract or state statute and regulations.) Retirement Plan Group Life Insurance Supplemental Benefits Voluntary Defined Contribution Plans Flexible Spending Accounts (Dependent Care Program, Medical Flexible Spending, and Qualified Transportation) Supplemental Benefits Programs (Auto and Home Insurance, plus Short and Long Term Disability) Life Insurance State of CT Tuition Reimbursement Program Holidays

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