STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Social Services Liaison Officer

Office/On-site

Recruitment #231129-7789SH-001

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Introduction


Make a difference as a Social Services Liaison Officer!
Join us in creating a positive impact and apply now to contribute to transformative social services.
Your experience matters - kickstart a rewarding career journey today!

The State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is currently seeking an experienced and qualified individual for the position of Social Services Liaison Officer. See below for more on this exciting opportunity!

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS: 
  • FACILITY: Whiting Forensic Hospital (WFH)
  • LOCATION: Middletown, CT
  • SCHEDULE: Full-time, 40 hours per week, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday 
  • POSITION NUMBER: 136228
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU:
  • 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
  • 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
  • Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offering
  • 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.
  • Generous paid time off, including 13 paid holidays per calendar year
  • Professional growth and development opportunities
  • A healthy work/life balance to all employees
    IN THIS ROLE YOU WILL:
    • Apply for state and federal entitlements
    • Meet with clients in both Whiting/Dutcher buildings to apply for benefits
    • Communicate with Conservators, Representative Payees, Social Security Administration, and the Department of Social Services
    • Maintain communication with Unit Social Workers and treatment teams
    MORE ABOUT THE AGENCY AND DIVISION:
    DMHAS is a health care agency whose mission is to promote the overall health and wellness of persons with behavioral health needs through an integrated network of holistic, comprehensive, effective, and efficient services and supports that foster dignity, respect, and self-sufficiency in those we serve.

    WFH specializes in providing inpatient services to individuals involved in the criminal justice system or are not yet ready to be safely treated in less restrictive settings. Services are provided to individuals who are admitted via Psychiatric Security Review Board (PSRB) commitment, criminal court order for restoration of competency to stand trial, civil commitment or transfer from the Department of Correction.  Discharge options are dependent on legal status and the purpose of admission. The hospital consists of 91 maximum security beds and 138 enhanced security beds. 

    Selection Plan

    FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:
    Please visit our 'Applicant Tips on How to Apply' page.

    To Apply:
    • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
    • You must specify your qualifications on your application. You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system.
    • In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.
    • 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.
    • This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules.
    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.
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State Employees which is available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
    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 you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment please contact Alyssa Hovanec via email at Alyssa.Hovanec@ct.gov.

    PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

    In the Department of Social Services and the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, this class is accountable for dispensing program information to clients and the public which may include resolving complaints concerning departmental programs and policies.

    EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

    DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES:
    • Responds to complaints and questions from recipients, applicants and the general public and attempts to resolve problems which have gone beyond district office level;
    • Researches and provides requested information to government officials, agency representatives, attorneys and others;
    • Contacts staff and field program personnel to obtain information in order to make proper referrals of citizens;
    • Verifies eligibility of recipients for providers of medical services;
    • Assists in training new personnel of section;
    • Oversees activities of section in absence of supervisor;
    • Performs related duties as required.
    DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION SERVICES:
    • Interviews clients and obtains client information relating to the eligibility criteria of various programs;
    • Identifies additional information and documentation which will be needed by social service agencies to determine eligibility for various benefits;
    • Assists clients with applying for federal, state and municipal social service benefits by completing application forms and ensuring that required documentation is provided to meet eligibility requirements;
    • Provides information on public assistance programs to clients, social services agencies, attorneys and the public;
    • Enters case eligibility information into a database;
    • Reviews eligibility re-determinations to ensure clients receive the correct benefits;
    • Performs related duties as required.

    KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

    • Considerable knowledge of
      • social service programs, policies and procedures;
      • programmatic eligibility requirements;
      • available financial assistance and social services resources;
    • Skills
      • interpersonal skills;
      • oral and written communication skills;
    • Interviewing ability;
    • Supervisory ability.

    MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

    Five (5) years of experience in a social services agency involving direct client contact, investigative or eligibility determination activities.

    MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

    • College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equaling one half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
    • For state employees, two (2) years of experience as a Social Services Trainee with the target class of a Social Services Liaison Officer may be substituted for the General Experience.
    • Successful completion of a Connecticut Careers Trainee program approved by the Department of Administrative Services may be substituted for the General Experience.

    PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

    • Experience applying for Medicaid, Social Security Disability, and Supplemental Security Income on behalf of clients.
    • Experience working in an inpatient psychiatric hospital.
    • Experience working with a forensic population.
    • Experience working in the adult mental health field.

    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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