State of Connecticut Executive Branch

Labor Department Community Services Representative (5246SH)

$26.27-$33.18 Hourly / $2,101.42-$2,654.37 BiWeekly /
$54,847.00-$69,279.00 Yearly

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Labor this class is accountable for providing client services in the areas of unemployment compensation, assessment of clients needs, placement of workers and employer services; in the Central Office this class is accountable for performing basic technical tasks in the following functional areas: claims examination, benefit payment control and merit rating.

GUIDELINES FOR JOB CLASS USE

This class is the working level responsible for performing the full range of professional level duties in a Job Center, other field location or Central Office. Incumbents in this class may work in one of the following capacities:

  • CENTRAL OFFICE: Performs a range of basic technical tasks in the functional areas of claims examination, benefit payment control and merit rating.
  • JOB CENTER: Performs a full range of duties as a generalist serving a variety of client groups.
  • JOB CENTER OR FIELD LOCATION: Provides a range of services to specialized client groups such as veterans, dislocated workers, public assistance recipients or other groups designated by discreet funding sources.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the general supervision of a Labor Department Programs and Services Coordinator or other employee of higher grade.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

CENTRAL OFFICE:
  • Performs basic technical tasks within operational support functional areas of claims examination, benefit payment control and merit rating;
  • Reviews employer protest to Unemployment Compensation benefit charges, researches issues and makes initial charge/non-charge decisions;
  • Presents appeals to Appeals Division;
  • Audits and recalculates employer tax rates based on protest determinations;
  • Participates in compilation and dissemination of quarterly and annual employer accounts statements;
  • Conducts fraud audits by reviewing quarterly cross match reports and automated files;
  • Obtains information needed to verify overpayments;
  • Calculates overpayment(s) amounts including penalties;
  • Reviews, analyzes and corrects claims under a variety of special programs including military, federal, out of state or multistate claims and claims involving reduced hours, pensions, child support or shared work;
  • Obtains and verifies data;
  • Applies federal and/or state laws and guidelines to make monetary determinations and other disposition of claims;
  • Reviews and processes special program claim appeals;
  • Corresponds with employers, claimants and their representatives on variety of matters;
  • Provides technical support to local offices in pertinent areas;
  • Creates, updates and maintains case management files;
  • Maintains records and prepares reports;
  • May collect overpayments as assigned;
  • Performs related duties as required.
JOB CENTER:
  • Serves as a front line service provider for all services necessary for determination of monetary eligibility for Unemployment Compensation benefits;
  • Reviews benefit application and secures additional data needed;
  • Analyzes work history to determine appropriate benefit program;
  • Assesses need for non-monetary hearing based on reason for separation or any barriers to employability;
  • Makes appropriate adjustments to system wage file or refers to a field auditor as needed;
  • Processes adjustments to claims, investigates and resolves held claims and exceptions;
  • Provides information, referral, assessment, eligibility determinations and certification for all Job Service Employment and Training programs;
  • Determines barriers to employment;
  • Assesses needs and refers client to employment counseling, training, employment planning or other support services;
  • Develops job opportunities for clients whose skills do not match current listings;
  • Periodically assesses continuing eligibility;
  • Assists in developing work search plan;
  • Customizes and conducts job search and vocational exploration workshops;
  • Works with employers to seek, place and follow up on workers with appropriate skills;
  • Provides services, including outreach services, to specialized client groups as assigned;
  • Provides and explains information on programs, procedures, policies, laws and regulations to clients, employers and others as appropriate;
  • May assist in training new or lower level staff;
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Knowledge of
    • job service, unemployment compensation and employment and training laws, regulations, policies and procedures;
    • interviewing techniques and principles;
  • Skills
    • interpersonal skills;
    • oral and written communication skills;
    • analytical skills;
  • Ability to
    • make decisions;
    • establish cooperative relationships with staff, employers, diverse client population and the public;
    • use automated systems;
    • maintain good public relations;
    • understand, apply and explain relevant laws, regulations, policies, programs and procedures;
    • create and maintain case management records.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Five (5) years of technical level experience in counseling, employment placement, 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) hours equaling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
  • For state employees, two (2) years of experience as a Social Services Trainee with the target class of Labor Department Community Services Representative may be substituted for the General Experience.
  • For state employees, two (2) years of experience as an Employment Security Intermittent Interviewer may be substituted for the General Experience.
  • Successful completion of a Connecticut Careers Trainee program approved by the Department of Administrative Services may be substituted for the General Experience.

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 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.

COMPENSATION GUIDELINES

Labor Department employees hired on and after April 19, 2002 or who are appointed to P-2 bargaining unit titles on or after that date are eligible for the following class code and compensation level when appointed, promoted or transferred to this class title.

5246 LABOR DEPARTMENT COMMUNITY SERVICES REPRESENTATIVE (SH 17)

JOB CLASS DESIGNATION

Classified/Competitive

OCCUPATIONAL GROUP

(10)-Employment Security

BARGAINING UNIT

(12)-SOCIAL SERV (P-2)

EEO

(2)-Professional

SALARY INFORMATION

SH 17

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.

CANCELLATION CLAUSE

This replaces the existing specification for the class of Labor Department Community Services Representative (5246SH) in Salary Group SH 17 approved effective November 22, 2021. (Revised to modify the Minimum Qualifications - Substitutions Allowed section and modify content) Final 23-035

EFFECTIVE DATE

03/08/2023
CLASS: 5246SH; EST: 9/7/1992; REV: 3/13/2023;