Labor Department Associate Community Services Representative

Are you passionate about making a difference? Looking for a new challenge? If so, we invite you to read on and learn more about this fantastic opportunity for you to join our team!   

The State of Connecticut, Department of Labor (DOL) is committed to protecting and promoting the interests of Connecticut workers. In order to accomplish this in an ever-changing environment, we assist workers and employers to become competitive in the global economy. We take a comprehensive approach to meeting the needs of workers and employers, and the other agencies that serve them. We ensure the supply of high-quality integrated services that serve the needs of our customers.  

The Performance and Accountability Unit is within the Employment and Training Division at the Connecticut Department of Labor. Established in 2012, this unit is responsible for supporting the State of Connecticut’s Workforce Information System CThires, generating reports, providing technical support to agency programs and divisions, and performing both program and administrative functions for Foreign Labor Certification (FLC), Equal Opportunity (EO)/ American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Migrant Seasonal Farm Workers (MSFW) Programs.  

We are currently recruiting for a Labor Department Associate Community Services Representative in our Performance and Accountability unit. This is a full time, first shift position with a work schedule of Monday – Friday 8:00am – 4:30pm.  

In this role you will be responsible for Outreach to Migrant Seasonal Farm Workers (MSFW), Housing Inspections and Foreign Labor Certifications.  

What’s in it for You – Leading Comprehensive Benefit Offerings:

• Industry leading health benefits, including medical and dental coverage; 
• Comprehensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings; 
• Paid time off; 
• Professional growth and development opportunities; 
• Ability to serve the citizens of Connecticut.
• A healthy work life balance to all employees.  

We hope you take this opportunity to make an impact by serving your state!  

*This salary range may increase effective July 1, 2022.

In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.

Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening and must specify their qualifications on their application. The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified. 

Please note you will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system. Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position. 

The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.

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. 

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.   

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. 

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.

• The incumbent is required to be bilingual in English/Spanish.
• Statewide travel is required to meet with Farm Workers and complete housing inspections and will often be outside in the elements or in buildings without heat or air conditioning when in the field.  

If you have any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Julie Barker at Julie.Barker@ct.gov.

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.

In the Department of Labor this class is accountable for performing specialized client services in the areas of adjudications, career development counseling, apprenticeship and/or job training programs or a specialized Operational Support function.

This position will be responsible for:  

Outreach Worker Duties:

Outreach workers must locate and contact MSFWs who are not being reached by the normal intake activities conducted by the ES offices.  

Outreach workers' responsibilities include: Explaining to MSFWs at their working, living, or gathering areas (including day-haul sites), by means of written and oral presentations either spontaneous or recorded, in a language readily understood by them, the following:  

• The services available at the local one-stop center (which includes the availability of referrals to training, supportive services, unemployment compensation and career services, as well as specific employment opportunities), and other related services;  
• Information on the Employment Service and Employment-related Law Complaint System;  
• Information on the other organizations serving MSFWs in the area; and  
• A basic summary of farmworker rights, including farmworker rights with respect to the terms and conditions of employment.  

If an MSFW cannot or does not wish to visit the local one-stop center, the outreach worker must offer to provide on-site the following:  

• Assistance in the preparation of applications for employment services;  
• Assistance in obtaining referral(s) to current and future employment opportunities;  
• Assistance in the preparation of either ES or employment-related law complaints;  
• Referral of complaints to the ES office Complaint Specialist or ES office manager;  
• Referral to supportive services and/or career services in which the individual or a family member may be interested; and  
• As needed, assistance in making appointments and arranging transportation for individual MSFW(s) or members of his/her family to and from local one-stop centers or other appropriate agencies.  

Foreign Labor Certification Duties:  

Review job order postings for accuracy and compliance with up-to-date H2A and H2B rules and regulations.  

Advise employers of protocols, processes, rules and expectations when hiring H2A and H2B workers.  

Conduct housing inspections of accommodations the employer will provide. Will also reinspect housing units throughout the occupancy to ensure standard remain.  

Submit housing inspection reports thru the USDOL FLAG system.  

Enter/submit data for the quarterly ETA 9127 report as appropriate.  

Agricultural Wage & Worker Practice Surveys as mandated annually by the FLC Grant: update current list of growers to receive surveys, determine number of surveys for each crop, assist in mailing surveys, enter survey data, assist in reporting results  

Performing related duties as required.  

Additional duties can be found here.

Considerable knowledge of a specialized area of Job Service, Unemployment Compensation or Employment and Training functions including pertinent laws, regulations, policies and procedures; knowledge of Job Service, Unemployment Compensation and Employment Training agency programs; knowledge of interviewing techniques and principles; knowledge of employment problems of special groups and behavioral problems hindering employment; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; analytical skills; considerable ability to understand, apply and explain relevant laws, regulations, policies, programs and procedures; ability to establish cooperative relationships with staff, employers, diverse client population and the public; decision making ability; ability to use automated systems; ability to maintain good public relations; ability to lead teams; ability to create and maintain case management records.

Six (6) years of technical level experience in counseling, employment placement, public contact work, human service programs, community action programs, Job Service, Unemployment Insurance or Employment and Training functions.

1. 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.
2. For State employees, one (1) year of experience as a Labor Department Community Services Representative may be substituted for the General Experience.

Preference will be given to candidates who possess the following:

• Bilingual: English/Spanish.  
• Experience with the American Job Center System.  
• Experience with traveling throughout the state on a daily basis.  
• Experience working with Migrant Seasonal Farm Workers.

1. Incumbents in this class assigned to veterans program positions will be required to meet the qualifications set forth in Title 38, i.e. must be veterans, preferably disabled veterans, or other qualified, eligible persons. Any employee who bumps a Labor Department Associate Community Service Representative in a veterans program position must meet the eligibility requirements under Title 38.
2. Incumbents in this class may be required to speak a foreign language.
3. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

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.