STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Connecticut Careers Trainee (Federal Policy) (40 Hour)

Target Class: Transportation Planner 1

Recruitment #240717-1993FS-001

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Introduction

If you're enthusiastic about facilitating coordination and engagement with regional and national organizations, including AASHTO, NASTO, ETC, ITS America, APTA, and others, this entry-level position offers a chance to begin a career at the Department of Transportation, where you can make a positive impact on our communities!


The State of Connecticut, Department of Transportation (DOT) is recruiting for a Connecticut Career Trainee entry level position in the Grants and Policy Unit within the  Office of Policy & Intergovernmental Affairs.  This position is located within the Bureau of Policy & Planning, at our headquarters, located in Newington CT. The focus of this work is to ensure federal planning requirements are met, and that the Department is staying abreast of upcoming federal policy changes.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
  • Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page! 
  • A healthy work-life balance to all employees
  • Professional growth and development opportunities
  • 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
  • Join an award-winning agency! CTDOT has been recently awarded the Employer of the Year award by the Connecticut Society of Civil Engineers (CSCE) and named the Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) CT Employer of the Year for 2024.
THE ROLE
  • This position will aid in tracking review, analysis, and comment on federal actions, including, but not limited to; federal laws, legislation, regulations, Notices of Proposed Rulemakings (NPRM), Notices of Requests for Information or Comments on federal policy, policy changes, guidance, and pilot programs.  This position will also track and ensure timely fulfillment of federal planning requirements and will also assist in the grant development process as needed. 
  • This position will aid in responding to Congressional requests, preparing materials for Congressional visits, and will also coordinate agency submittals for; yearly Appropriations Committee Community Project Funding/Congressionally Directed Spending (earmarks) project requests, feedback on legislative amendments, and other proactive engagement with Connecticut’s Congressional delegation.
  • The position will aid in coordination of interaction and participation in regional and national organizations such as the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), Northeast Association of State Transportation Officials (NASTO), The Eastern Transportation Coalition (ETC), ITS America, American Public Transportation Association (APTA), and many others.  
YOUR CAREER WITH US


  • Eligibility for promotion to the target classification of Transportation Planner 1 is earned upon successful completion of the training program.
Target class: Transportation Planner 1 
  • Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree will serve a two (2) year training program.
  • Candidates with a Master’s degree in a closely related field may be eligible for a shorter training period.
First year of training: Bachelor's degree and/or qualifying experience: FS 15 Step 1 ($55,328/year) Master's degree: FS 15 Step 2 ($57,320/year)
Second year of training: General rate:  FS 15 Step 5 ($63,306/year)  
POSITION HIGHLIGHTS
  • Full-time (40 hours per week)
  • First shift
  • Monday-Friday
  • Location: Newington, CT 
  • P-4 (Engineering and Scientific) bargaining unit
  • Reports to a Transportation Supervising Planner or employee of a higher level. 
  • This position is eligible to apply for telework after successful completion of the working test period, and thereafter, in accordance with the Telework Policy. The Policy can be found here. Employees in their initial working test period must work on site.
ABOUT US
  • As one of Connecticut’s largest State agencies, DOT employs approximately 3,200 individuals statewide in five distinct bureaus. It is our mission to provide a safe, accessible and efficient multimodal transportation network that improves the quality of life and promotes economic vitality for the State and the region. We have a significant transportation infrastructure system that is essential to maintaining mobility for Connecticut residents and businesses and supporting economic and community development while preserving environmental and cultural resources. The Department of Transportation is committed to cultivating a diverse staff that is representative of the communities we serve. Applications from individuals having diverse backgrounds and life experiences are strongly encouraged.

    Selection Plan

    • 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 applicants may be considered.
    • 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.
    To Apply:

    • The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
    • 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.
    • Please select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
    • In order to receive educational credits toward qualification for this job posting, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the Talent Acquisition Professional listed on this job posting.
    • 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 ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:

    • Please read or watch our Applicant Tips on How to Apply.
    Important Information After You Apply:

    • 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 questionnaire'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.
    • 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.
    • 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, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.
    • Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
    • Read through this helpful link to prepare for your interview.
    • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
    • 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. Should you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Anamaria Giangarra at Anamaria.giangarra@ct.gov.

    PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

    In a state agency this class is accountable for mastering the skills necessary to satisfactorily complete the training program for a professional position.

    EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

    • In a department or institution receives training in introductory governmental work for development of skills and knowledge in field of public policy administration in order to qualify for advancement into agency professional positions.
    • Performs a variety of increasingly difficult duties as skills are acquired during course of training period.
    • Performs related duties as required.
    • Travel primarily within the State and occasionally outside of the State will be necessary.  

    This specific position will assist in the following duties:
      
    • Track, review, and analyze federal actions, including, but not limited to; federal laws, regulations, Notices of Proposed Rulemakings, Notices of Requests for Information or Comments on federal policy, policy changes, guidance, and discretionary grant programs.
    • Track and assure timely completion of federal planning requirements.
    • Investigate and respond to Congressional requests.
    • Prepare and distribute guidance and briefing materials to other units regarding policy and program changes.
    • Participate in industry working groups, and inter-agency committees.
    • Communicate effectively with other bureaus within the Department, state and federal agencies, and industry stakeholders.

    KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

    • Oral and written communication skills; 
    • Ability to
      • acquire knowledge and skills required for the target classification;
      • understand, evaluate and solve problems by exercising judgement and logic;
      • read, interpret and understand written material;
      • perform basic arithmetical computations;
      • interpret charts, graphs and tables;
      • learn and reason;
      • establish and maintain cooperative relations with superiors, associates and general public;
      • utilize computer software.

    MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

    Candidates must be able to meet the experience and training requirements of the designated job class at the completion of the development program.

    PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

    • Possession of a bachelor’s or master's degree in political science, public  administration, communication, urban or regional planning or closely related degree.
    • Experience or training in transportation policy and emerging issues through course work, work experience, or internships.
    • Experience or training in transportation planning requirements and funding mechanisms through course work, work experience, or internships.
    • Experience developing, maintaining and enhancing communication and relationships internally in an organization as well as with representatives of other organizations, stakeholders, elected officials and the general public through course work, work experience, or internships.
    • Experience or training interpreting laws, regulations, and/or guidance documents for their impact on agency operations through course work, work experience, or internships.
    • Experience providing presentations and training to various audiences as well as to staff through course work, work experience, or internships.
    • Experience or training handling time-critical, strategic communications, and problem-solving through course work, work experience, or internships.
    • Experience or training reviewing, analyzing, and commenting on plans and/or reports through course work, work experience, or internships.
    • Experience utilizing the Microsoft Office Suite of applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams through course work, work experience, or internships.

    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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