Lead Children Services Worker (40 Hour)

If so, we invite you to discover this outstanding opportunity to join our dedicated team!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Children and Families' (DCF) mission is partnering with communities and empowering families to raise resilient children who thrive. We are proud of our diverse and dedicated workforce who strive every day to meet the needs of those we encounter. Currently we are seeking individuals who are looking to advance their career and make a difference.

The DCF Solnit North campus in East Windsor, CT, is actively recruiting for a full-time Lead Children Services Worker with a schedule as follows:

• Full Time 40 hours 2nd Shift
• Week One Off - Saturday and Sunday
• Week Two Off - Friday and Monday

The Solnit North Campus serves as a Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility, providing treatment to adolescent males between the ages of 13 and 17 with complex psychiatric needs. Our program is designed to be the bridge from hospital to home and community, or as a diversionary placement to avoid the need for a hospital stay. Components of the program include: comprehensive multidisciplinary assessment; 24-hour supervision and monitoring; individual, group and family therapy; medication evaluation and management; intensive case management; and in-home support.

In order to be considered for this job opening, you must have attained permanent state status* and be a current State of CT employee of the agency listed above for at least six (6) months, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening.  You must specify your qualifications on your application. 

*For employees in the classified service, permanent status is obtained after successful completion of a working test period.  For employees in the unclassified service, permanent status is obtained after serving in a position for at least six months (full-time or full-time equivalent).

To Apply:

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

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.
• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
• Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.

Connect With Us:

• If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment please contact Elizabeth Weston at Elizabeth.Weston@ct.gov and reference the recruitment number.
• 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.

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.

In a state child care facility or program this class is accountable for the administration of a shift of one or more assigned areas of residential living or program activity and for leading staff responsible for the treatment and care of an assigned group of children and youth.

Leads and advises staff in care, custody and therapeutic treatment of residents in unit; provides for adequate coverage of unit and takes necessary action in case of absences; provides for maintenance of a therapeutic milieu by assuring residents psychological and physical needs are met; assists in development of recreational activities and programs for residents; supervises recreational activities for residents; schedules unit for maintenance; participates in implementation of behavior modification programs in unit; works with caseworkers and/or social workers and other professional staff in making decisions through evaluation of residents progress and adjustment; attends meetings with unit staff and/or residents families in order to discuss behavioral problems and progress of residents in unit; writes progress reports on residents; reviews and signs reports of significant happenings in unit; maintains monthly supply and weekly clothing inventory; checks temperatures of residents and dispenses medications; assists security personnel in apprehension and return of runaways; initiates contraband searches to insure residents safety; may perform emergency medical procedures; performs related duties as required.

Considerable knowledge of general procedures concerning routine functioning of institution; considerable knowledge of problems of adolescents and influences of environment; knowledge of security procedures regarding contraband and runaway searches, etc.; knowledge of disciplinary techniques and guidelines for use; knowledge of how to transport clients in a controlled and safe way; knowledge of fire safety procedures; knowledge of principles and practices of family therapy; knowledge of basic first aid techniques and materials; considerable interpersonal skills; ability to assess situations and use good judgment; ability to lead staff; ability to efficiently organize time, manage work and coordinate programs.

Two (2) years of experience as a Children Services Worker.

1. A Bachelor's degree in health, human services or mental health may be substituted for one (1) year of the General Experience.
2. Three (3) years of technical experience in the care of residents in an institution or facility for emotionally disturbed or delinquent children at the level of Children Services Worker including utilization of therapy techniques to achieve behavioral change.

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 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.