STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Developmental Specialist 2 (40 Hour)

Hybrid

Recruitment #241120-7164FP-001

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Introduction


Do you possess a Master's degree in psychology, educational psychology, rehabilitative psychology, community psychology, experimental psychology or other related degree from a program accredited by a regional educational board AND three (3) years of experience in conducting psychological testing, assessment and evaluation including one (1) year in treating and/or working with clients in the appropriate specialty serviced by the agency?  If so, we invite you to take this opportunity to join our team!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Developmental Services (DDS) – North Region – is accepting applications for a Developmental Specialist 2 position in Newington, CT.


The incumbent will be assigned to Public Programs based at the Hartford Regional Center and cover the Step-Down Unit, which is an ICF/ID Campus.


The Developmental Specialist 2 is responsible for a large range of tasks related to providing services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  The incumbent is responsible for creating and overseeing behavioral services and reviewing behavioral data to inform treatment decisions.  The individuals served in these programs are admitted from hospitals and/or are at risk of hospitalization.  Oftentimes, there are no community placement options at the time of admission, and they require stabilization so that suitable placements can be identified for them.  The incumbent will be essential in identifying clinical needs that may undermine community placement.


This position is critical to protect the health and safety of individuals supported by the Department of Developmental Services (DDS).  The person in this position participates in and coordinates clinical psychological services for a complex group of individuals who are diagnosed with intellectual/developmental disabilities and behavioral health needs.  In addition, many of the children served have challenging social problems.


Position Highlights: PCN #121426

  • Full-time | 1st Shift | Hybrid
  • Sunday - Thursday | 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
    • Regular Days Off: Friday & Saturday
  • However, flexibility is required to meet the needs of the agency.

What we can offer you:

  • View our new State Employee Benefits Overview page!
  • Professional growth and paid professional development opportunities.
  • A healthy work-life balance to all employees!
  • 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.
  • 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.

In your role as Developmental Specialist 2, you will have the opportunity to:

  • Under supervision, develop, implement, monitor and revise behavioral support plans;
  • Train staff in the implementation of behavioral plans and the collection of data;
  • Select and administer objective and projective psychodiagnostic tests;
  • Analyze and interpret test results;
  • Assess client mental status through observation and if client abilities accommodate, interview;
  • Write reports including profiles on intellectual functioning and personality organization;
  • Conduct individual and group psychotherapy, crisis intervention, group therapy and family therapy;
  • Provide services involving behavior modification, milieu therapy, data collection and analysis, educational/vocational assessment and placement, rehabilitation, program development and evaluation, behavioral techniques, individual treatment recommendations and research;
  • Related duties as assigned;
  • For a more comprehensive list of duties please click here

DDS Mission Statement:

The mission of the Department of Developmental Servicers is to partner with the individuals we support and their families, to support lifelong planning and to join with others to create and promote meaningful opportunities for individuals to fully participate as valued members of their communities.

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE WITH APPLYING:

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


To Apply:

  • Incumbents must have the ability to obtain Medical administration Certification from the Department of Developmental Services
  • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on this job opening.  You must specify your qualifications on your application.
  • The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
  • 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 applications may be considered.
  • Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience most closely meets the preferred qualifications, so please ensure that your application is complete and details your experience as outlined in this job posting.  Please note: You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application into the JobAps system.
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
  • 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.

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.
  • 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. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position.
  • 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.
  • Due to the large volume of applications received, the Department of Administrative Services is unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account.
  • Revised Master Application Tutorial: Click Here.
  • Read through this helpful link to prepare for your interview.

Connect With Us:

  • If you require an accommodation to participate fully and fairly under the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact Edward Magnano, EEO Manager at (860) 418 – 6148 or Edward.Magnano@ct.gov
  • If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Rocky Young at rocky.young@ct.gov and reference the recruitment number. 
  • Follow the State of Connecticut on LinkedIn.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state health care facility, community based health care program or correctional facility this class is accountable for conducting evaluations and therapy and providing services involving psychodiagnosis, psychotherapy, behavior modification, data collection and analysis, educational/vocational assessment and placement, rehabilitation and/or program development and evaluation under general supervision.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Under supervision, develops, implements, monitors and revises behavioral support plans;
  • Trains staff in the implementation of behavioral plans and the collection of data;
  • Selects and administers objective and projective psychodiagnostic tests;
  • Analyzes and interprets test results;
  • Assesses client mental status through observation and if client abilities accommodate, interview;
  • Writes reports including profiles on intellectual functioning and personality organization;
  • Conducts individual and group psychotherapy, crisis intervention, group therapy and family therapy;
  • Provides services involving behavior modification, milieu therapy, data collection and analysis, educational/vocational assessment and placement, rehabilitation, program development and evaluation, behavioral techniques, individual treatment recommendations and research;
  • Provides consultation to allied professionals, families, clients, direct care staff and community agencies;
  • Participates in clinical and interdisciplinary conferences and staff meetings;
  • Prepares case notes and reports;
  • Works closely with consulting psychiatrist to monitor efficacy of psychotropic medication(s);
  • May provide consultation according to specialized expertise;
  • May write grant proposals and renewals;
  • May conduct Restrictive Procedures Audits;
  • May serve as Chairperson of Program Review Committee;
  • May serve as a Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional;
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Considerable knowledge of general psychological theory and its application to treatment, rehabilitation and research programs;
  • Knowledge of
    • relevant agency policies and procedures;
    • statistics and experimental design;
  • Considerable
    • interpersonal skills;
    • oral and written communication skills;
  • Considerable ability to
    • select, score and interpret objective and projective psychological tests;
    • develop treatment plans;
  • Ability to
    • assess behavior and develop behavioral treatment strategies; ability to conduct individual and group psychotherapy;
    • provide consultation and training services;
    • utilize computer software;
  • Supervisory ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

A Master's degree in psychology, educational psychology, rehabilitative psychology, community psychology, experimental psychology or other related degree from a program accredited by a regional educational board AND three (3) years of experience in conducting psychological testing, assessment and evaluation including one (1) year in treating and/or working with clients in the appropriate specialty serviced by the agency.

NOTE: For state employees the experience component is interpreted at the level of a Developmental Specialist 1.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

A Doctorate degree in community psychology, educational psychology, experimental psychology, psychology, rehabilitative psychology or other related degree from a program accredited by a regional educational board AND two (2) years of experience in treating and/or working with clients in the appropriate specialty serviced by the agency may be substituted for the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preference will be given to candidates with the following:
  • Clinical psychology experience working with individuals who are dually diagnosed with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be required to lift and restrain clients; may have some exposure to communicable/infectious diseases and to risk of injury from clients.

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.


Click on a link below to apply for this position:

Fill out the Supplemental Questionnaire and Application NOW using the Internet.


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