STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Labor Department Associate Community Services Representative

Hybrid

Recruitment #241008-5243SH-001

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Introduction



The State of Connecticut, Department of Labor (DOL) is recruiting a Labor Department Associate Community Services Representative to work in the UI Integrity Division, Benefit Accuracy Measurement (BAM) unit, located in Wethersfield, CT.

Position Highlights:
  • Full-time, 40 hours per week
  • First (1st) shift
  • 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  • Monday - Friday
  • Wethersfield, CT
Please Note:
  • There is some flexibility on start time. 
  • Hybrid will be discussed at the interview.
The Role:
  • Perform intense review of Unemployment Insurance payments and denials to help determine if they were made properly.
  • Verify that all information pertaining to eligibility and payments conforms with state law and policy.
  • Gather all relevant documents and information for the Benefit Accuracy Measurement (BAM) case files.
  • Conduct interviews of claimants, employers and third parties either via mail, in person, fax, telephone or email.
  • Thoroughly review all agency Unemployment Insurance records for each assigned case.
  • Identify all previously undetected issues that could impact eligibility for Unemployment Insurance benefits.
  • Examine all new and prior issues that could affect the Key Week.
  • Refer issues that do not impact the Key Week to appropriate UI unit.
  • Independently verify facts where previously resolved issues or payment adjustments appear to have been done properly.
  • Conduct eligibility hearings and issue eligibility decisions on Unemployment Insurance issues.
  • Pursue all issues to a supportable conclusion whether or not the claim was paid or denied properly.
  • Write detailed narrative of the case being investigated to support the conclusion on whether or not the claim was paid or denied properly.
  • Comply with federal time lapse requirements for BAM.
  • Self-manage BAM caseload, including all phases of the investigation and coding processes.
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 UI Integrity Division, Benefit Accuracy Measurement (BAM) unit. is seeking to hire a Labor Department Associate Community Services Representative in Wethersfield, CT. Individuals appointed at the 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 Resource Associate. Appointment to Labor Department Resource Associate classification is contingent upon successful performance of duties and the availability of funding.

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

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 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

AMERICAN JOB CENTER OR FIELD UNIT: Performs basic tasks in a specialized area:

  • Conducts basic level adjudications including assessing possibility of applying “special base period” provision and obtaining all relevant information and documentation; 
  • Conducts hearings applying pertinent laws, regulations and precedent decisions and issuing a ruling regarding delay of benefits due to receipt of disqualifying income; 
  • Ascertains facts, analyzing and ruling with regard to general availability for work and adequacy of efforts to find suitable work; 
  • Develops facts and performs all pertinent research necessary to recommendation of fraud including imposition of penalty weeks if warranted or non-fraud including repayment waiver; 
  • Conducts separation hearing for interstate claimants.

OR

  • Provides basic career development counseling services for clients who are vocationally untracked or have significant barriers to employment.

OR

  • In consultation with a Labor Department Business Services Specialist participates in marketing of services and programs to employers within a region including providing apprenticeship services to individuals and employers; 
  • Develops on-the-job training programs; 
  • Develops customized job training programs which meet specialized employer needs; 
  • Provides consulting services with regard to training needs, resources and standards.

CENTRAL UNIT: Performs advanced working level tasks in a Central Unit:

  • Assists and participates in activities such as program development, automation support, monitoring and evaluation, training and/or technical assistance to field staff in various program areas; 
  • Assists in developing training programs in assigned functional areas; 
  • Participates in monitoring programs and activities for completeness, compliance with legal mandates, fiscal requirements, efficiency and customer satisfaction; 
  • Assists in analyzing impact of state and/or federal legislation and regulations on departmental programs and procedures; 
  • Assists in development of procedural manuals and memoranda.

OR

  • Performs specialized and highly technical tasks in one or more operational support functions of claims examination, benefit payment control and merit rating;
  • Researches and analyzes wage date to determine and perform corrective action; 
  • Determines compliance of work and procedures with applicable laws, regulations and policy; 
  • Determines successorship and waivers of liability; 
  • Segregates payrolls; 
  • Presents complex appeals to Appeals Division; 
  • Reviews and resolves claims under complex special programs; 
  • Makes monetary disqualification determinations in areas such as education employees, aliens and claimants receiving workers compensation; 
  • Reviews appeals on wage usage; 
  • Reviews American Job Center recommendations and decisions relating to fraud to ensure compliance with regulations; 
  • Reviews fraud audits prior to first notification; 
  • May serve as a team leader.

In any of the above areas of specialization: 

  • Assists in training employees of lower grade; 
  • May serve as a team leader; 
  • May speak before groups; 
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Considerable knowledge of a specialized area of job service, unemployment insurance or employment and training functions including pertinent laws, regulations, policies and procedures; 
  • Knowledge of
    • job service, unemployment insurance and employment training agency programs; 
    • interviewing techniques and principles; 
    • employment problems of special groups and behavioral problems hindering employment; 
  • Skills
    • 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; 
    • make decisions; 
    • use automated systems; 
    • maintain good public relations; 
    • lead teams; 
    • create and maintain case management records.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Six (6) years of technical level experience in counseling, employment placement, veterans employment and training support services, public contact work, human service programs, community action programs, job service, unemployment insurance or employment and training functions.

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.
  • 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 in using federal SUN system to enter data.
  • Experience in Benefit Accuracy Measurement (BAM) process.
  • Experience in meeting federal timelapse deadlines.
  • Experience in detecting Unemployment Insurance eligibility issues.
  • Experience in writing detailed narratives for Benefit Accuracy Measurement (BAM) cases.
  • Experience in contacting claimants and employers to gather information for Unemployment Insurance auditing purposes.
  • Experience in determining whether or not a claim was properly paid or denied.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • 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.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to speak a foreign language.
  • 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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