STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Associate Child Advocate

Hybrid

Recruitment #220405-0958MP-001

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Introduction

Job Opening: Administrative Assistant - Department of Administrative Services

Are you passionate about child advocacy? 
Do you want to make a difference? 
If so, read below & apply today! 

The State of Connecticut, Office of Governmental Accountability, Office of Child Advocate (OCA) was established in 1995. Our mission is to oversee the protection and care of the state’s most vulnerable and youngest citizens and advocate for their well-being. The OCA monitors and evaluates public and private agencies that are charged with the protection of children, and reviews state agency policies and procedures to ensure they protect children's rights and promote their best interest. 

We help to:
  • Advocate for children at risk. 
  • Address public policy issues concerning juvenile justice, childcare, foster care, and treatment. 
  • Review individual cases and investigate complaints. 
  • Educate and inform the public of laws and services affecting families and children who are placed under state supervision. 
  • Coach families, concerned citizens, and agencies to "navigate" public service and information systems and advocate for children effectively. 
  • Review facilities and procedures of public or private institutions or residences where juveniles are placed. 
  • Facilitate change by bringing different agencies together to find creative solutions to difficult problems.
The Associate Child Advocate reports to the Child Advocate and is responsible for managing the daily operations and staff of the OCA.  In this position, you must be comfortable working in a highly dynamic environment with urgent work deadlines, prioritizing multiple responsibilities, and presenting to state agency executives, other government officials, legislators, and municipals leaders. 

The ideal candidate will have a law degree or a graduate level degree related to public policy, and will demonstrate a commitment to equity and inclusion, cultural competency with regard to underserved populations, and have direct experience advocating on behalf of chronically underserved children, including children of color and children with disabilities involved with child welfare and behavioral health systems.

Benefits: We participate in a competitive benefits package that includes comprehensive healthcare policies including medical and dental coverage, retirement plan options, paid time off, and more! We also encourage a healthy work-life balance for all employees and provide professional growth and development opportunities!

Watch the video below to see what it's like to be a State of CT employee!
            

Selection Plan

To Apply:
  • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on this job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application. 
  • The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
  • Ensure that your application is complete and detailed before submitting it. In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process. You will not be able to make revisions once your application is submitted into the JobAps system.
  • Please select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location.
  • 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 DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
After You Apply: 
  • Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board daily to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment 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 daily in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam. 
  • 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, 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. 
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class. Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
Connect With Us:
  • Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. 
  • If have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact faith.macdonald@ct.gov. 

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Office of the Child Advocate, this class is accountable for managing the daily operations and staff of the agency.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Supervises and directs the staff and daily operations to ensure work being performed is consistent with office mission statement, goals and objectives; supervises and evaluates staff performance; provides staff training and assistance; oversees investigations and inquiries; acts as the primary liaison with other agencies, officials and third parties regarding agency policies and procedures; develops agency policies and procedures; mediates conflicts; oversees intake process and determines timeliness and jurisdiction of concerns; conducts investigations, analyzes results and prepares reports and recommendations; assists the Child Advocate in the review and analysis of policies and regulations impacting children in state care; prepares OCA response to proposed rules and regulations; prepares reports as directed by the Child Advocate; reviews DCF records and other documentation when there is a child fatality; prepares chronologies when requested; acts for the Child Advocate in her absence; conducts evaluation of delivery systems; provides recommendations for system reform, policy initiatives and advocacy; represents the agency at public functions and meetings; may conduct inspection of facilities and programs; may appear in court, at hearings or other formal proceedings on behalf of agency; performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; considerable knowledge of the child welfare system; considerable knowledge of resources and services delivery systems available to and impacting children; knowledge of and ability to apply management principles and techniques; knowledge of standards of practice and administration of programs dealing with children and youth; knowledge of child development; knowledge of mental health and behavioral challenges facing children and youth; knowledge of impact of cultural issues on service delivery; considerable investigative skills; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; and considerable supervisory ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Nine (9) years experience in a professional capacity advocating on behalf of children or families or public policy, promoting the well being of children or families.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been in a supervisory capacity.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

  1. College training in social work or a closely related field 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.
  2.  A Master's degree in social work, public policy or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

Note:  Closely related fields are child development, child welfare, psychology, counseling, criminal justice, human development and family relations, social and/or human services, marriage and family therapy, nursing, education and public administration.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience directing systemic advocacy activities for 5 years or more. 
  • Experience supervising staff for 5 years or more. 
  • Experience leading systemic investigations of publicly funded services for vulnerable children.
  • Legislative advocacy experience presenting at hearings and meeting with legislators.
  • Law degree or a graduate level degree in Public Policy or related area.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be required to work in stressful or high conflict situations.

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.





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