STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Secretary 2 (Spanish/English Bilingual)

Office/On-site

Recruitment #261022-7539CL-002

Introduction

Ready to put your talents to work and make a real impact? 
Looking for the next step in your career journey? 
If so, we’d love for you to explore this exciting opportunity and consider joining our team!

THE POSITION
The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System (SWCMHS) is currently accepting applications for the position of Secretary 2 within the Hispanic Clinic.

We are seeking a candidate who is preferably bilingual in Spanish and English, with strong oral and written communication skills in both languages.

HIGHLIGHTS
  • FACILITY: Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System (SWCMHS)
  • LOCATION: Bridgeport, CT
  • POSITION NUMBER: 00028043
  • SCHEDULE: Full-Time, 40 Hours per Week, First Shift, Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

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 clients so they can achieve success;
  • Make a difference in the public sector;
  • Work together in a collaborative team environment.
THE ROLE:
In this role, we would entrust you to independently perform a full range of secretarial support duties. Among other tasks assigned, this would include:
Collaborating with high-level executives in a behavioral health setting; 
Preparing required reports according to hospital policy, Joint Commission and other regulatory standards; 
Crafting and compiling various narrative or statistical reports; and 
Acting as representative by answering phone calls and providing advice to callers.
Career progression within the State of Connecticut: starting with Office Assistant, advancing to Secretary 1, then Secretary 2 and ending with Administrative Assistant

OUR MISSION:
DMHAS is a health care agency whose mission is to promote the overall health and wellness of persons with behavioral health needs through an integrated network of holistic, comprehensive, effective and efficient services and supports that foster dignity, respect and self-sufficiency in those we serve.

The Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System strives to provide high quality, compassionate and culturally competent mental health and substance abuse services to adults with behavioral health disorders who are indigent. With three locations throughout Fairfield County, SWCMHS, promotes and administers comprehensive recovery oriented services in the areas of mental health treatment and substance abuse prevention and treatment. These services include inpatient treatment programs and outpatient clinical services, as well as a wide range of additional supportive treatment services. 


PLEASE NOTE:

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING: 

Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources?  Visit our Applicant Toolkit for additional support throughout the recruitment process. 

BEFORE YOU APPLY: 

  • Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.  
  • Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting. 
  • Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency. 
  • Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift. 
  • Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State.  Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov. 
  • Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other. 
  • Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.

AFTER YOU APPLY: 

  • Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates—such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links—please check your Personal Status Board regularly. 
  • For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select “Update My Contact Information.”
  • Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).   
  • Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression! 
  • Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.  
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.  
  • Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
  • This employer may participate in  E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm work authorization. 

QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP: 

Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Anamaria Giangarra at Anamaria.giangarra@ct.gov

Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of secretarial support functions requiring an understanding of organizational policies and procedures.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Performs a variety of secretarial duties as described in the following areas:

  • TYPING:
    • Using computers, tablets, and other electronic equipment, formats and types a full range of correspondence, reports, bills, drafts, etc. from rough draft, transcription, dictated notes, etc.;
    • Proofreads for content;
    • Edits using knowledge of grammar, punctuation and spelling.
  • FILING:
    • Designs office filing systems;
    • Organizes and maintains files (including confidential files);
    • Maintains, updates and reviews reference materials and manuals.
  • CORRESPONDENCE:
    • Composes complex letters and/or memoranda, etc. (e.g., explaining department practices/policies) for own or supervisor's signature.
  • REPORT WRITING:
    • Compiles information from a variety of sources and prepares narrative or statistical reports, exercising judgment in the selection of items to be included.
  • INTERPERSONAL:
    • Greets and directs visitors;
    • Answers phones and screens incoming calls;
    • Provides advice to callers regarding policy and procedures (e.g., citing a regulation to solve a specific problem);
    • Coordinates with others both within and outside of the organization on a variety of non-routine matters.
  • PROCESSING:
    • Screens letters, memos, reports and other materials to determine action required;
    • May make recommendations to the supervisor.
  • SECRETARY:
    • Arranges and coordinates meetings (including space and equipment);
    • Researches, assembles and coordinates meeting materials (e.g., charts, graphs, reports);
    • Writes minutes of meetings, lectures, conferences, etc. from rough draft;
    • Takes notes and/or meeting minutes;
    • Prepares expense accounts;
    • Makes travel arrangements.
  • OFFICE MANAGEMENT:
    • Maintains an inventory of supplies and equipment;
    • Orders supplies when necessary;
    • Completes, processes and maintains paperwork for purchasing (e.g., orders, requisitions, invoices, etc.);
    • Maintains time and attendance records;
    • Assists in preparing and monitoring the office budget (e.g., compiles figures, reviews statistical reports, verifies expense items);
    • Designs and initiates new forms and procedures to facilitate workflow;
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Considerable knowledge of
    • office systems and procedures;
    • proper grammar, punctuation and spelling;
  • Knowledge of
    • business communications;
    • department's/unit's policies and procedures;
    • business math;
  • Skills;
    • interpersonal skills;
    • oral and written communication skills;
  • Ability to
    • schedule and prioritize office workflow;
    • operate office equipment which includes computers, tablets, and other electronic equipment;
    • operate office suite software;
    • take notes (shorthand, speedwriting or other method acceptable to the supervisor).

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Three (3) years of experience above the routine clerk level in office support or secretarial work.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been as a Secretary 1 or its equivalent.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

College training in the secretarial sciences may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of two (2) years.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bilingual Spanish-speaking with oral and written communications skills in both languages.
  • Experience in a hospital-based or mental health clinic setting.
  • Experience using electronic file systems to monitor and track physical charts. 
  • Experience utilizing information tracking systems to generate reports for agency stakeholders.
  • Experience overseeing an office including administrative functions, ordering supplies and inventory, organizing and preparing for meetings to include taking minutes and distribution.
  • Experience utilizing Microsoft Outlook to manage several executive calendars and send pertinent messages to Directors, Managers and Staff.
  • Experience utilizing Microsoft Word to create and disseminate letters, memos and other documents.
  • Experience utilizing Excel to sort/filter data, data-entry, utilize formulas, review, compile and analyze data to create reports.

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.



Click on a link below to apply for this position:

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