STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Developmental Specialist 1 (40 Hour)

Hybrid

Recruitment #241226-2558FP-001

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Introduction


Do you possess a Master's degree in psychology, educational psychology, rehabilitative psychology, community psychology, experimental psychology or other related degree from a program accredited by a regional educational board?  Are you passionate about helping individuals with disabilities?  If so, we invite you to take this opportunity to consider the Developmental Specialist 1 position!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Developmental Services (DDS) – West Region – is accepting applications for a Developmental Specialist 1 position in Danbury, CT.


The Developmental Specialist 1 is responsible for a large range of tasks related to providing services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  Under supervision, the incumbent will be responsible for creating and implementing behavioral programs and/or individual treatment plans and train direct care staff in their implementation.


Position Highlights: PCN #15889

  • Full-time | 1st Shift | Hybrid
  • Monday - Friday | 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
  • However, flexibility is required to meet the needs of the agency.

What we can offer you:

  • View our new State Employee Benefits Overview page!
  • Professional growth and paid professional development opportunities.
  • A healthy work-life balance to all employees!
  • The opportunity to work for a Forbes top company: ‘Forbes’ State 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.
  • 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.

In your role as Developmental Specialist 1, you will have the opportunity to:

  • Under supervision, develop and implement behavioral programs and/or individual treatment plans and trains direct care staff in their implementation;
  • Observe individual behavior;
  • Collect individual behavioral and environmental data;
  • Consult with allied professionals, families, direct care staff and community liaison workers on treatment planning, therapies and/or individual cases;
  • Prepare case notes and progress notes;
  • Participate in behavior analysis and adjustment, milieu therapy, research, educational/vocational assessment and placement, rehabilitation, data collection and analysis, program development and evaluation, behavioral techniques and community outreach;
  • Select and administer objective and projective psycho-diagnostic tests;
  • Interpret test results;
  • Assess individual intellectual status through observation and if individual abilities accommodate, conduct interview;
  • Write reports including profiles on intellectual functioning and personality organization;
  • Provide individual and group therapy and family counseling:
  • Participate in clinical and interdisciplinary case conferences and staff meetings;
  • For a more comprehensive list of duties please click here

DDS Mission Statement:

The mission of the Department of Developmental Servicers is to partner with the individuals we support and their families, to support lifelong planning and to join with others to create and promote meaningful opportunities for individuals to fully participate as valued members of their communities.

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE WITH APPLYING:

Please read or watch our Applicant Tips on How to Apply!


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.
  • These positions will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion, and merit employment rules.  Applications to this recruitment will be used to meet collective bargaining requirements.  Once any collective bargaining requirements have been met, all other applications may be considered.
  • Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience most closely meets the preferred qualifications, so please ensure that your application is complete and details your experience as outlined in this job posting.  Please note: You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application into the JobAps system.
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
  • 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.
  • Revised Master Application Tutorial: Click Here.

Important Next Step Information for 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 on a daily basis 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 on a daily basis 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.
  • 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.
  • Due to the large volume of applications received, the Department of Administrative Services is unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account.
  • Read through this helpful link to prepare for your interview.

Connect With Us:

  • If you require an accommodation to participate fully and fairly under the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact Edward Magnano, EEO Manager at (860) 418 – 6148 or Edward.Magnano@ct.gov
  • If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Rocky Young at rocky.young@ct.gov and reference the recruitment number. 
  • Follow the State of Connecticut on LinkedIn.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state health care facility, community based health care program or correctional facility this class is accountable for conducting evaluations and therapy and providing services involving behavior modification, data collection and analysis, educational/vocational assessment and placement and/or program development and evaluation under close supervision.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Under supervision, develops and implements behavioral programs and/or individual treatment plans and trains direct care staff in their implementation; 
  • Observes individual behavior; 
  • Collects individual behavioral and environmental data; 
  • Consults with allied professionals, families, direct care staff and community liaison workers on treatment planning, therapies and/or individual cases; 
  • Prepares case notes and progress notes; 
  • Participates in behavior analysis and adjustment, milieu therapy, research, educational/vocational assessment and placement, rehabilitation, data collection and analysis, program development and evaluation, behavioral techniques and community outreach; 
  • Selects and administers objective and projective psycho-diagnostic tests; 
  • Interprets test results; 
  • Assesses individual intellectual status through observation and if individual abilities accommodate, conduct interview; 
  • Writes reports including profiles on intellectual functioning and personality organization; 
  • Provides individual and group therapy and family counseling; 
  • Participates in clinical and interdisciplinary case conferences and staff meetings; 
  • May provide consultation according to specialized expertise; 
  • May serve as a Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional; 
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Knowledge of
    • general psychological theory and its application to treatment, rehabilitation and research programs; 
    • statistics, data interpretation and experimental design; 
    • diagnostic procedures and their use in developing treatment plans; 
  • Considerable
    • interpersonal skills; 
    • oral and written communication skills; 
  • Ability to
    • develop treatment plans; 
    • conduct individual and group psychotherapy; 
    • provide consultation and training services; 
    • utilize computer software.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

A Master's or Doctorate degree in psychology, educational psychology, rehabilitative psychology, community psychology, experimental psychology or other related degree from a program accredited by a regional educational board and one (1) year of experience in treating and/or working with the individuals in the appropriate specialty serviced by the agency.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preference will be given to those who possess the following qualifications:     
  • Experience working with children and adults with Intellectual Disabilities (ID) and autism spectrum disorders.
  • Experience providing clinical behavior support for individuals living with families in the community, supported settings, or in their own homes.
  • Experience working in inpatient or outpatient psychiatric settings.
  • Experience with biopsychosocial interviews, conducting mental status exams, motivational interviewing, and assessing risk.
  • Experience writing behavioral guidelines and Positive Behavior Support Plans.
  • Experience collecting behavioral data to guide interventions and treatment.
  • Experience with complex clinical needs of individuals with significant mental health struggles and forensic involvement. 
  • Experience with community mental health resources for individuals/families. 
  • Experience with clinical assessment, including but not limited to diagnostic criteria using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-VTR).
  • Experience with problem solving and independently researching and finding solutions to complex situations.
  • Experience working collaboratively with other State Agencies and Programs including Beacon Health, DMHAS, hospitals, and school districts.    
  • Experience with Microsoft Office, including but not limited to Outlook, Access, Word, Excel, Teams.
  • Experience with social media platforms and other data systems.
  • Experience travelling to various worksites.
  • Experience with scheduling flexibility to meet individual and family needs. 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be required to lift and restrain individuals; may have some exposure to communicable/infectious diseases and to risk of injury from individuals.

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.




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