STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Labor Department Associate Community Services Representative

Hybrid

Recruitment #230410-5243SH-002

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Introduction



What’s In It For You:
  • 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;
  • Comprehensive Benefits including Industry leading health benefits, including medical and dental coverage.
  • Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings.
  • Paid time off - including 13 paid holidays per calendar year.
  • Professional growth and paid professional development opportunities.
  • A healthy work-life balance to all employees.
About Us:
The 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 Position:
The individual appointed at Labor Department Associate Community Services Representative level must serve at least one year in that class- performing work in the target area before qualifying for promotion to Labor Department Career Development Specialist. Appointment to Labor Department Career Development Specialist classification is contingent upon successful performance of duties and availability of funding. 

Schedule:
  • Full-time, 40 hours per week
  • First shift
  • Monday - Friday
  • 8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.
  • Waterbury, CT
Discover the opportunity to: 
  • Engage in a rewarding career
  • Assist our employees so they can achieve success
  • Make a difference in the public sector
  • Work together in a collaborative team environment  
About the State of Connecticut: 
Living in Connecticut allows you to live with mountains, forests, ocean fronts, rivers, and a wonderful green countryside right at your doorstep. The state has charm, elegance, and a high standard of living. Our school systems offer an outstanding education, and our communities are among the safest in the country. Connecticut experiences all four seasons and gives you the option to choose living in sophisticated country-life or living in the center of a lively city. 

We encourage you to come see all that Connecticut has to offer by joining the DOL team!

Selection Plan

Application Process:

This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules.

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

In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the minimum qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date, unless otherwise specified.

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

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.

Please ensure that your application is complete. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the state of Connecticut.

Selection Process:

This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs) which will be sent to you via email after the closing date. The email notification will include an expiration date by which you must submit (Finish) your responses. Please regularly check your email for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders, as emails could end up there in error.

During the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation supporting their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include performance reviews, supervisory references, college transcripts, licensure, etc. at the discretion of the agency.

Contact Information:

Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process.

Should you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Ethan Ives at Ethan.Ives@ct.gov.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

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.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Provide basic career counseling services. Assist clients in developing an employment plan that will facilitate movement toward their identified career goals. 
  • Assess and evaluate client’s education, work experience, personal characteristics, interests, work values and socio-economic background to assist in vocationally appropriate choices. 
  • Identify employment barriers and refer to appropriate service providers. 
  • Refer clients to appropriate training, educational programs or other supportive services. 
  • Collaborate with other AJC staff and agencies to implement employability plans and facilitate achievement of vocational goals established with clients. 
  • Utilize assessment tools to identify and analyze aptitudes, interests, transferable skills and other vocational factors; interpret results to evaluate client’s occupational strengths and weaknesses. 
  • Conduct Benefit Rights Interviews for customers who are eligible for the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program. 
  • Explain the benefits and services to eligible workers, including job training, income support, job search, relocation allowances and wage supplement to certain reemployed trade-affected workers 50 years of age and older. 
  • Develop TAA training plans and/or contracts for impacted workers; conduct follow up on clients eligible for Trade Readjustment Act (TRA) and other special programs. 
  • Facilitate employment readiness workshops (virtual and in-person) on topics including resume writing, job search and interviewing techniques. 
  • Maintain electronic records of case activity using CTHires and ReEmployCT. 
  • Conduct Initial Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) appointments. 
  • Provide resume preparation assistance and conduct resume critiques. 
  • Represent DOL at various community speaking event to promote available services. 
  • Perform Career Center and Front Desk functions and other related duties as needed. 
  • May be required to travel to affiliate American Job Centers.   
  • Perform related duties as required. 
  • Additional information can be found here. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

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.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience providing career counseling services to individuals.
  • Experience providing job search assistance to individuals from various backgrounds (e.g., skills, education, work history, barriers to employment such as justice involved) utilizing platforms such as CTHires, Indeed, LinkedIn, etc.   
  • Experience writing, editing, and proofreading resumes and cover letters.
  • Experience assessing individuals to develop an employment plan. 
  • Experience coaching individuals for job interviewing.  
  • Experience presenting to groups virtually or in-person, providing training to internal staff and speaking at community and other public events.  
  • Experience recording services and case notes in a case management system.    
  • Experience corresponding with co-workers; supervisory staff; and customers in-person, online, email, and telephone.
  • Experience using virtual platforms such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, etc. to participate in meetings, attend trainings, and provide virtual services.  
  • Experience using Microsoft Outlook calendar feature to create and schedule meetings, reminders, set up folders, create contact lists / groups, and the ability to engage in email communication with staff and the general public. 
  • Experience using Microsoft Word to create documents such as resumes, cover letters, memos, and other documents.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

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.

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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