STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Social Worker - Social And Human Services

Hybrid

Recruitment #240501-7713SH-001

Introduction


Are you passionate about making a meaningful impact in the lives of Connecticut's children and families? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you to join the State of Connecticut's Department of Children and Families (DCF) as a Social Worker!

Why Join Us?
  • The opportunity to work for a Forbes top company: 'ForbesState of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023 - 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 comprehensive benefit offerings
  • 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 here 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.
Position Details:
  • Position Type: Full-time, 40 hours per week (8:00am to 5:00pm)
  • Locations: Various offices across Connecticut
    • Region 1: Bridgeport and Norwalk
    • Region 2: Milford and New Haven
    • Region 3: Middletown, Norwich and Windham (Willimantic)
    • Region 4: Hartford and Manchester
    • Region 5: Danbury, Torrington and Waterbury
    • Region 6: New Britain and Meriden
We are seeking compassionate individuals with:
  • Passion: A genuine desire to serve and support families in need.
  • Education: Degree in social work or a closely related field.
  • Experience: Providing casework services to diverse populations, including families dealing with trauma.
  • Skills: Ability to document case notes, develop treatment plans, and manage time effectively.
  • Commitment: Willingness to work in on-call roles and meet time-sensitive deadlines.
Ready to make a difference? Apply now and become part of our dedicated team at DCF!

                              


Join Us in Strengthening Families and Communities!
Take the next step in your career journey and join us in our mission to empower families and promote child welfare in Connecticut. Your passion and dedication will make a difference! Apply today.

Selection Plan

The Department of Children and Families hiring process includes the following key stages. From application to appointment this process can take a number of weeks. The stages are:
 
1. Application Period:
  • Please visit our 'Applicant Tips on How to Apply' page or view our tutorial. 
  • Please ensure that your application is complete. You are unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State of Connecticut. Applicant Support can be reached by email at DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
  • Candidates who submit an untimely, incomplete or inaccurate application will not be considered for this employment opportunity. Due to the large volume of applications, please do not call/email to confirm receipt or status of your application. If your application submits successfully, a pop-up confirmation displays, which is followed by a confirmation email. You can view all emailed notices on your Personal Status Board by clicking the date in the Last Notice column for this recruitment.
2. Selection Process: 
  • The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified. 
    • If you hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work, sociology, child development, child welfare, clinical psychology, counseling, human development and family studies, human services, marriage and family therapy, nursing, social or human services, education, or criminal justice but lack work experience in self-directed case management techniques and counseling to sustain or restore client functioning, you may qualify for the training level of Social Worker Trainee. We encourage you to apply for our Social Worker Trainee Recruitment opportunity: Job Opening: Social Worker Trainee - Social And Human Services - Department of Administrative Services (jobapscloud.com).
  • 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.   
  • 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 elizabeth.pinette@ct.gov.
  • This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. 
  • 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. 
  • 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.
Note: Applications to this recruitment may be considered for future vacancies. While we appreciate all applications, only selected candidates will be contacted for interviews. We encourage all applicants to apply for future postings. Sign up to be alerted for future postings here: https://tinyurl.com/SWJobAlerts.
3. First Stage of Interview process:
  • Read through this helpful link to prepare for your interview.
  • Selected Candidates will also meet with DCF Academy for Workforce Development to learn more about the role and responsibilities of a Social Worker and will receive a writing assessment.
  • Selected candidates will have a panel interview with DCF Regional staff.
4. Second Stage of Interview process:
  • Selected candidates are contacted by the Department Children and Families Human Resources team members for additional documents. Candidates will be asked to supply:
    • Official transcripts for degrees listed on application.
    • 3 Written Supervisory References
5. Background Investigation:
  • Selected candidates will go through a comprehensive review of employment, education, criminal, motor vehicle history and a physical examination (including drug screening).
6. Appointment:
  • Selected candidates are scheduled for their first day of work!

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency or facility this class is accountable for the provision of intensive supportive social case work services to an assigned caseload of individuals and families.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Performs a variety of highly skilled case work services; obtains medical, physical and social histories of clients in order to provide maximum services to individual; confers with clients, relatives, professional associates and other social welfare agencies regarding case problems; provides counseling services to an assigned caseload; provides services to aged and disabled clients in boarding or convalescent homes; conducts and interprets results of investigations, professionally evaluating their significance; seeks employment, housing, financial assistance and other services for an assigned caseload; independently prepares case histories, forms and reports; performs related duties as required.

DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES: Performs a variety of highly skilled case work services for children and youth; maintains medical, physical, social and psychological histories; counsels families, children and youth both individually and in groups; investigates, evaluates and makes recommendations for Juvenile Court on all petitions alleging neglect or abuse of children; recruits and selects foster and adoptive homes for placement of children; consults with psychologists, psychiatrists and other staff to develop and administer treatment plans; consults with community groups to determine appropriate referrals and develop community resources; may supervise volunteer workers in conjunction with department volunteer services programs; performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of principles, techniques and methods of professional social work; considerable knowledge of various economic, emotional, medical, psychological and social factors influencing attitudes and behavior of individuals and families; knowledge of community resources available to individuals and families; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; considerable ability to interpret and apply social work policies; considerable ability to prepare clear and concise reports and case histories.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

A Master's degree in social work or a closely related field and one (1) year of experience in the self-directed use of case management techniques and counseling to sustain or restore client functioning OR a Bachelor's degree in social work or a closely related field and two (2) years of experience in the self-directed use of case management techniques and counseling to sustain or restore client functioning.

NOTES:  
1. Closely related fields are: applied sociology, child development, child welfare, clinical psychology, counseling, human development and family studies, human service, marriage and family therapy, nursing, social and/or human services, education and criminal justice  
2. Qualifying experience at this level must include the use of professional interviewing techniques, provision of skilled counseling to an assigned client caseload and assessment of basic client needs (nutritional, environmental, financial, medical, protective service) through continuing personal observation during visits, intervention and evaluation.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

For state employees successful completion of the Social Worker Trainee program may be substituted for the General Experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Candidates cannot be appointed until all degree requirements are completed.
2. Incumbents in this class will be required to possess retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's License.
3. Incumbents in this class will be required to travel.
4. Incumbents in this class may be required to speak a foreign language.
5. COMMISSION ON THE DEAF AND HEARING IMPAIRED: Incumbents in this class must be able to communicate fluently in American Sign Language.

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.