State of Connecticut Executive Branch

Public Assistance Consultant (6645SH)

$41.63-$52.77 Hourly / $3,330.20-$4,221.27 BiWeekly /
$86,918.00-$110,175.00 Yearly

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Social Services this class is accountable for coordinating program/policy planning, development, implementation and monitoring for a major agency project, program or initiative.

GUIDELINES FOR JOB CLASS USE

Incumbents in this class perform a variety of work responsibilities that support the efforts of staff who are responsible for carrying out program activities or program administrative support activities. All incumbents are program experts who apply knowledge of a group of agency programs to the development or revision of agency policy or operational procedures, the review of proposed regulations or statutes, the performance of cost/benefit analysis and the development of program and service delivery models. Positions are restricted to central office units, which provide coordination of and consultation about agency programs including interpretation of statute, regulations, policy and/or procedures for program administration staff.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Receives general direction from a Social Services Program Administration Manager, Social Services Program Manager or other employee of higher grade.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

May lead lower level employees as assigned; may lead project teams for assigned initiatives and may coordinate a small number of project staff.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Coordinates program/policy planning, development, implementation and monitoring for a statewide program, program initiative, or project; 
  • Leads project teams or participates in program development, implementation, and monitoring activities; 
  • Develops budget estimates and performs cost benefit analyses; 
  • Analyzes and evaluates existing and proposed programs/policies to determine feasibility and impact on quality of service; 
  • Conducts trends analysis and quantitative analysis regarding program operations and fiscal issues; 
  • Develops requests for proposals, selects or participates in the selection of vendors, develops contracts, monitors contracts and approves payments; 
  • Develops spending plans for contracted services; 
  • Negotiates with federal officials and develops waivers of federal regulations for state public assistance and health care initiatives; 
  • Negotiates with outside legal representatives and responds to challenges of programs criteria; 
  • Analyzes federal and state statutes, regulations, etc. for program impact; 
  • Coordinates activities of project or program staff to meet program goals and project deadlines; 
  • Prepares comprehensive reports on the status of planning and program development efforts; 
  • Acts as liaison with state, federal and community agencies regarding assigned programs/projects to ensure service delivery and provide problem resolution; 
  • Provides technical assistance to field staff; 
  • May draft legislative proposals for agency program initiatives; 
  • May prepare draft regulations and coordinate regulations review process for assigned program areas; 
  • May conduct public hearings regarding proposed policy changes; 
  • May testify before legislative committees regarding agency or legislative program initiatives; 
  • May provide support to regional/central office operations by translating program requirements into data system specifications and testing and releasing changes in operating systems based on changes; 
  • May provide support and technical assistance to system users including training in new procedures; 
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Considerable knowledge of
    • social services programs; 
    • relevant state and federal laws, statutes, and regulations; 
    • principles of public administration; 
  • Knowledge of community organizations and social service agencies; 
  • Considerable
    • interpersonal skills; 
    • oral and written communication skills; 
  • Considerable ability to plan, organize, and coordinate complex programs; 
  • Ability to interpret complex written material including legal narrative, legislation and regulations and assess the impact of these on programs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Eight (8) years of professional experience in a social services program.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been in a lead or consultative capacity with responsibility for case review and evaluation and/or technical policy interpretation and implementation.

NOTE: For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of a(n) Eligibility Services Specialist, Social Services Lead Investigator, Social Services Program Assistance Specialist, Fair Hearings Officer, Quality Control Reviewer or Social Worker.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

  • College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
  • A law degree or a Master's degree in public administration, public policy, or a closely related field may be substituted for the Special Experience and one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

JOB CLASS DESIGNATION

Classified/Competitive

OCCUPATIONAL GROUP

(33)-Social Services

BARGAINING UNIT

(12)-SOCIAL SERV (P-2)

EEO

(2)-Professional

SALARY INFORMATION

SH 26

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.

CANCELLATION CLAUSE

This replaces the existing specification for the class of Public Assistance Consultant in Salary Group SH 26 approved effective September 13, 2022. (Reviewed in accordance with Connecticut General Statute § 5-200a. Revised to modernize format and add Acknowledgement section.) Final No. 24-142

EFFECTIVE DATE

08/05/2024
CLASS: 6645SH; EST: 7/25/1938; REV: 8/7/2024;