STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Social Services Lead Investigator - Child Support

Hybrid

Recruitment #240822-7324SH-001

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Introduction



Are you a self-starter? Do you want to make a difference while participating in a dynamic and reciprocal human services environment? If so, please read on to learn more about this wonderful agency promotional opportunity!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services (DSS), is currently recruiting qualified and talented current DSS employees for a Social Services Lead Investigator opportunity within our Child Support Division in our Central Office located in Hartford, CT.

Position Highlights:
  • Full-time, 40 hours per week
  • First (1st) shift
  • Monday - Friday
  • 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  • Hartford (CO), CT
About Us:
The Department of Social Services (DSS) has a mission that we, along with our partners, provide person-centered programs and services to enhance the well-being of individuals, families and communities.

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;
  • Professional growth and paid professional development opportunities.
  • A healthy work-life balance to all employees.
  • State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loan forgiveness after 10 years of service. Click here for more information.
We hope you take this opportunity to continue your career and make an impaCT!

Selection Plan

In order to be considered for this job opening you must be a current State of CT employee of the agency listed above for at least six (6) months of full-time service or full-time equivalent service, absent any applicable collective bargaining language, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening.  You must specify your qualifications on your application. 

For Assistance in Applying:

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

Application Process:

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

For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from branch to branch but it does not impact your state service credit.

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.

Read through this helpful link to prepare for your interview.

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 Christopher Lavallee at Christopher.Lavallee@ct.gov.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Social Services this class is accountable for acting as a working supervisor and policy specialist for a unit of Social Services Investigators engaged in performing investigations relevant to the enforcement of child support obligations.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Plans unit workflow and determines priorities;
  • Schedules, assigns, oversees and reviews work;
  • Establishes and maintains unit procedures;
  • Provides staff training and assistance including monitoring and assessing current and projected needs;
  • Conducts or assists in conducting performance evaluations;
  • Acts as liaison with operating units, cooperating agencies and outside officials such as third party providers, social services agencies, attorneys regarding unit policies and procedures;
  • Makes recommendations on policies or standards;
  • Prepares reports and correspondence;
  • Acts as liaison with Social Services Investigations Supervisor concerning unit training needs, practical program implementation problems and effectiveness of unit workflow procedures;
  • Acts as unit policy specialist in difficult, unusual and/or complex case resolution;
  • Processes complex cases;
  • Testifies in court on cases involving support or claims for reimbursement and determines appropriate actions to enforce compliance with court orders;
  • May be assigned to represent Commissioner in cases requiring a high degree of tact and diplomacy;
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Considerable knowledge of
    • and ability to interpret and apply relevant agency policies and procedures;
    • and ability to interpret and apply relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
    • public assistance programs concerning children and the financial obligations related to these programs;
    • investigatory methods and techniques;
    • economic, social and health problems affecting family security;
    • property ownership, personal finances, paternity and child support issues;
  • Knowledge of court procedures, legal terminology and related legal instruments;
  • Considerable skill in conducting investigations;
  • Skills
    • interpersonal skills;
    • oral and written communication skills;
    • problem solving skills;
  • Considerable ability to
    • understand and interpret financial and legal documents;
    • negotiate settlements with legally liable party;
  • Ability to utilize computer software and systems;
  • Supervisory ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Six (6) years of experience in the investigation of real and personal assets related to child support obligations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been in performing child support investigations.

NOTE: For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of a Social Services Investigator (Child Support).

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

  • 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.
  • A Master's degree in a closely related area may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
  • For state employees one (1) year of experience as a Social Services Investigator (Child Support) may be substituted for the General and Special Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preference will be given to candidates with the following experience:
  • Experience applying principles and practices of the child support enforcement program.
  • Experience using the Connecticut Child Support Enforcement System (CCSES).
  • Experience applying relevant state and federal child support statutes, regulations, and policy.
  • Experience applying Federal Child Support Program performance measures and incentive requirements.
  • Experience analyzing and recommending solutions to complex child support problems.
  • Experience establishing and maintaining productive relationships with child support partner agencies.
  • Experience researching, gathering detailed data, and drafting complex correspondence and reports.
  • Experience listening and responding to customer complaints via phone/email contact.
  • Experience using Microsoft 365 programs such as Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel, and Teams.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

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.

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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