Introduction
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Looking for a chance to start your career in Social Services?
If so, we are seeking you, to be part of our Connecticut Careers Trainee program!
If you enjoy helping others and flourish in a fast-paced environment, you might be a fit for the Department of Social Services Connecticut Careers Trainee (CCT) position. The Department of Social Services (DSS) mission is to make a positive impact on the health and well-being of Connecticut’s individuals, families, and communities. Bring your eagerness to enhance the lives of others and an ability to government programs, policies, and procedures; and we’ll provide the in-depth training and support needed to be successful in this role.
The State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services (DSS) is recruiting for Connecticut Careers Trainee (Social and Human Services) to the target class of Eligibility Services Worker.
YOUR ROLE AS A CONNECTICUT CAREERS TRAINEE (CCT) TARGET CLASS: ELIGIBILITY SERVICES WORKER:
As a Connecticut Career Trainee (CCT) within the
Department of Social Services, you will be required to meet the experience and
training requirements of the target class of Eligibility Services Worker. An EligibilityServices Worker is responsible for applying state and federal policies to
determine eligibility for various programs administered by DSS; such as food
(SNAP), medical (Medicaid), financial assistance, convalescent and home care
services.
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
- 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.
THE CONNECTICUT CAREERS TRAINEE POSITION (TARGET CLASS: ELIGIBILITY SERVICES WORKER) WILL FOCUS ON:
- Assisting and interviewing Connecticut residents seeking
state and federal benefits via phone and/or in person to obtain necessary
information to determine current and ongoing eligibility of DSS administered
programs.
·
Note: DSS provides customer service in a variety
of ways, including answering calls and/or providing face-to-face assistance in
our Resource Centers.
- Communicating clearly and empathetically with clients and
colleagues.
- Being flexible and able to adhere to frequent instructions,
directives and changes in assignments.
- Being able to multi-task. Example: Using various
computer applications and programs at once.
- Reviewing submitted documents and processing cases in the
department’s computer database system to make timely and accurate eligibility
determinations.
- Updating the DSS computer system with clear and concise case
notes.
- Responding to client concerns and complaints; informing
clients of their appeal rights and the appeals process.
- Preparing detailed summaries and acting as agency
representative in Fair Hearings process.
- Making appropriate referrals to community partners/agencies
based on assessed needs.
- Attending all mandatory meetings/trainings via Teams and in
person.
- Keeping up to date with program and policy changes through
trainings and written communications.
OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL:
- Have
excellent verbal, written and interpersonal skills.
- Have
experience working with culturally diverse populations.
- Have
experience in conducting in-depth interviews.
- Be able to
work independently, as well as a part of a team.
- Have
strong research and analytical skills.
- Be able to
critically review work.
- Be able to
multitask, organize workflow and adapt to shifting priorities to meet
challenging deadlines.
- Be able to
transition between answering calls, face-to-face services, and case processing
as a part of an agile workforce.
- Be able to navigate through multiple computer
systems and software concurrently.
- Be able to
understand and apply federal and state guidelines and statutes.
- Possess a high level of
attention to detail and accuracy while working expeditiously in a fast-paced
environment.
POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:
- Full Time (40 hours per week)
- 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
- Monday-Friday
- Once promoted, and in good standing, you may be eligible for
the opportunity to work a hybrid work schedule
-
Positions located in Bridgeport, Danbury, Hartford, Manchester, Middletown, New Britain, New Haven, Norwich, Stamford, Torrington, Waterbury, Windham, Windsor
SALARY INFORMATION - CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS
Eligibility for promotion to the target
classification of Eligibility Services Worker is earned upon successful
completion of the training program.
- Candidates with a Bachelor’s Degree will serve a one (1)
year training program.
- Candidates with a Master’s degree will serve a one (1) year
training program.
- Candidates with 3 years of experience in providing social
services to individuals or families in need or performing basic technical or
complex clerical duties will serve a two (2) year training program .
Bachelor's degree and/or qualifying experience: SH 15 Step 1
- $52,349
Master's degree: SH 15 Step 2: $54,243
3 years of experience: SH 15 Step 1 - $52,349
LOOK AT THE GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES WE CAN OFFER YOU:
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Selection Plan
- Please visit our 'Applicant Tips on How to Apply' page or view our tutorial.
- The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
- 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.
- 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. 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Read through this helpful link to prepare for your interview.
- 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 recruiter listed on this job posting.
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 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.
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
- A bachelor's or master's degree in human services OR 3 years of experience in providing social services to
individuals or families in need or performing basic technical or complex
clerical duties.
- Experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint,
Outlook, Excel, Teams, etc..) while working in-office or remotely.
- Experience communicating via phone, Microsoft Teams, email,
and/or in person while working in-office, remotely or on the phone.
- Experience with computer applications and software or while
working in-office, remotely, or on the phone.
- Experience managing multiple priorities and practicing time
management skills while working in-office, remotely, or on the phone.
- Experience conducting interviews, gathering, and analyzing
confidential information while working in-office, remotely or on the phone.
- Experience providing customer service in a fast-paced,
person-centered environment with exposure to a culturally diverse population
while working in-office, remotely, or on the phone.
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.