Children Services Worker (35 Hour)

The Department of Children and Families is recruiting for a Children Services Worker for their PRTF program. The Albert J. Solnit Children's Center utilizes a strength based, family centered relational approach based on youth-adult partnerships, with a program model designed to focus on treatment strategies which are trauma informed and gender responsive.  The facility provides an educational program, work experience opportunities and rehabilitation, including therapeutic recreation as well as occupational and music therapies. 

This is a 2nd shift position, offering a  part-time schedule of:  Week 1:  Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday off; week 2:  Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday off.

Applicants are required to upload a resume on the RESUME TAB with their submission.  (Note: In order to upload documents you must ensure that your internet browser's 'pop-up' blocker is off.  Failure to do so may prevent you from being able to upload documentation and submit your application.) 

Questions about these required documents should be directed to the hiring agency's human resources office:  Victoria Brothers, victoria.brothers@ct.gov, (860)704-4006.

NOTE:  If selected for further consideration, State employees will be required to provide their last two (2) service ratings.

 

In order to be considered for this job opening, you must be a current employee of the Department of Children and Families, who has permanent state status, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening.  You must specify your qualifications on your application. 

In a state child care facility or program this class is accountable for performing a full range of basic counseling and custodial activities for residents.

Counsels and advises residents individually on such matters as purpose of institutionalization, problems, progress in unit and placement plans; participates in maintaining a therapeutic milieu by meeting psychological and physical needs of residents; oversees daily living activities to insure proper care of residents; teaches residents in unit self support skills such as basic money management, daily living habits, hygiene, etc.; dispenses rewards to residents as a result of behavior; oversees recreational activities for residents; writes reports of significant events in unit such as runaways and accidents; checks temperatures of residents and dispenses selected medications; records daily activities in log book; escorts residents to destinations on and off grounds, to and from meals, class, infirmary, court, placements, etc; disciplines children who are acting out and follows up with appropriate action; attends staff meetings and training sessions to improve treatment and therapy skills; performs related duties as required.

Knowledge of human behavior and emotions; knowledge of behaviors characteristic of clients with emotional and/or behavioral disorders; knowledge of proper procedures in threatening or emergency situations; considerable interpersonal skills; ability to foster self worth and self identity in clients; ability to counsel and motivate clients in coping with problems and setting achievable goals; ability to use good judgment and assess situations.

Two (2) years of paraprofessional experience in an applied treatment program for emotionally disturbed, delinquent, behaviorally disordered, educationally deficient or intellectually disabled children or youth.

1. An Associate's Degree in the health, human services or mental health areas may be substituted for the General Experience.
2. Thirty (30) college credits in a course of study leading to a Bachelor's Degree in the behavioral sciences may be substituted for one (1) year of the General Experience.

Applicants with experience in a congregate care treatment program with adolescents preferred.

1. Incumbents in this class may be required to be bilingual or fluent in American Sign Language
2. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and maintain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license.
3. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

Incumbents in this class may be required to lift or restrain residents and may have significant exposure to risk of injury from assaultive and/or abusive residents.

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.