STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Developmental Specialist 2 (40 Hour)

Recruitment #211022-7164FP-001

Introduction

Are you a self-starter? Do you have a passion for supporting others? Do you want to make a difference while participating in a dynamic and reciprocal human services environment in the public sector? If so, we want you to join us!  

The State of Connecticut, Department of Developmental Services (DDS) – North Region is recruiting for a highly skilled and qualified Developmental Specialist 2 to join our team!  This role is assigned to the Individual Family Services Division based out of East Hartford, CT. This position is full-time, 40 hours per week, with a Monday through Friday schedule. The hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, however schedule flexibility is required in order to meet the demands of the job.  Bilingual Spanish skills with the ability to read, speak and write is a requirement for this position. 

Discover the opportunity to:
  • Engage in a rewarding career
  • Provide support to a division that is passionate about improving the lives of those we serve 
  • Assist our individuals so they can achieve success
  • Make a difference in the public sector 
  • Work together in a collaborative team environment
We participate in a generous and competitive benefits plan that includes healthcare coverage, a retirement plan as well as paid time off!

We hope you take this opportunity to make an impact by serving your state!

Selection Plan

In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.  

The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.

Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening and specify their qualifications on their application. Please ensure that your application is complete as you will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application into the JobAps system.  

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. 

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.   

The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.     

Requirements for this position: 
  • Must possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle License 
  • Will be required to travel

If you require an accommodation to participate fully and fairly under the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact Renee LaBarge, DDS EEO Director at (860) 418-6022 or Renee.LaBarge@ct.gov.  

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Julie Barker, at Julie.Barker@ct.gov.

All State employees shall follow the guidelines as listed in Executive Orders  13F (3a) and 13G (3a).

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

Provides short-term in-home behavioral supports to individuals in their own or family homes to help preserve the family unit and utilize natural and community resources afforded to individuals; conducts home, community, day program, school or hospital visits to assess behavioral needs of individuals referred for services; reviews medical, social, and psychiatric records and conditions that may contribute to presenting behavioral issues; assists families with motivation and ways to help individuals have functional equivalent behaviors for negative target behaviors through the development and implementation of behavioral guidelines, or positive behavioral support plans; monitors, plans, reviews and evaluates the success of positive behavioral support plans/guidelines on short-term basis to further coordinate referrals for community supports for further follow up; assessment and monitoring of individuals ability to adapt to changes in the environment as well as prepare individuals for transitions;  assess safety and quality of care being provided and assist in identifying alternative strategies for families to use to reduce caregiver burnout that could lead to disruptive/uncomfortable experience for the individual in a busy/noisy emergency rooms or inpatient units.  Consults with other professionals, meets with psychologists, DDS consumer, family support workers, case managers and families to help assure proper implementation of behavioral guidelines and overall behavioral progress of DDS individuals.  Attends monthly psychology staff meetings to keep up to date with services and resources in order to make community referrals.  Assist with conducting initial and/or 3 year guardianships for probate with case managers. May coordinate services offered by Wheeler Clinic contract.  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; knowledge of statistics and experimental design; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; considerable ability to select, score and interpret objective and projective psychological tests; considerable ability to develop treatment plans; ability to assess behavior and develop behavioral treatment strategies; ability to conduct individual and group psychotherapy; ability to provide consultation and training services; ability to 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 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 who possess:  

  • Bilingual Spanish skills with the ability to read, speak, and write.  
  • Work experience with children and adults with Intellectual Disabilities (ID) and autism spectrum disorders.
  • Clinical behavioral support experience with individuals with ID living with families in the community or in their own homes.
  • Experience working in inpatient or outpatient psychiatric settings.
  • Experience with biopsychosocial interviews, conducting mental status exams, motivational interviewing and assessing risk.
  • Experience writing behavioral guidelines and Positive Behavior Support Plans.
  • Experience with community mental health resources for individuals/families.
  • Experience with clinical assessment including but not limited to diagnostic criteria using DSM V.
  • Experience with problem solving and independently researching and finding solutions to complex situations.
  • Experience working collaboratively with other State Agencies and Programs including Beacon Health, DMHAS, hospitals and school districts.
  • Experience with Microsoft Outlook, Access, Word, Excel, Microsoft TEAMS, social media platforms and other data systems.
  • Experience traveling to various worksites.
  • Experience with scheduling flexibility to meet individual and family needs.          

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.
2. 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.