Developmental Services Transition Advisor

The State of Connecticut Department of Developmental Services (DDS) - Central Office - has one (1) current full-time job opportunity for a Developmental Services Transition Advisor position in the Employment and Day Services Unit with the Family Services Division based out of the DDS office in Wallingford, CT.

This position will independently provide consultation and assistance to individuals with developmental disabilities, and their families and legal guardians, to plan, prepare for and achieve a successful transition into meaningful employment. This position will primarily support the South Region.

This is a full-time thirty-five (35) hour per week position. The work schedule is Monday through Friday 1st shift. However, must be flexible in order to meet the needs of the agency.

Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening and must specify their qualifications on their application.

Please note you will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system.

If selected for further consideration, at time of interview, State employees may be required to provide last two (2) service ratings and non-State employees may be required to provide two (2) letters of reference.

This posting MAY require completion of additional referral questions (RQ’s) which will be sent to you via email after the closing date.  Please regularly check your email for notifications.  You must reply by the deadline indicated on the notification or you will be automatically disqualified from consideration.

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Daimar Ramos at Daimar.Ramos@ct.gov or 860-263-2625.

In the Department of Developmental Services, this class is accountable for independently providing consultation and assistance to individuals with developmental disabilities, and their families and legal guardians, to understand the individual’s educational rights and opportunities and to plan, prepare and achieve a successful transition from secondary school to adult life and/or to plan, prepare for and achieve a successful transition into meaningful employment.

Provides consultation, assistance and information to individuals with developmental disabilities, and their families and legal guardians, to understand the individual’s rights and opportunities to plan, prepare and achieve meaningful and competitive integrated employment in alignment with the Department’s Employment First Initiative.  Guides individuals, families, guardians, team members, stakeholders and the business community about the Department’s employment and day services goals towards increasing competitive integrated employment and wages.   This position will be responsible for solidifying employer relationship; serving as ADA liaison; sharing information on business incentives; linking employment providers to businesses; and sharing business contacts with providers in catchment area and create job posting and employment resource listing.  Works with Case Managers, Self Advocates and other departments to gather, interpret and analyze data to determine trends impacting competitive integrated employment. Work with Workforce development groups addressing barriers, employability and labor market conditions and opportunities regionally.  As part of a multidisciplinary team, work support individuals with IDD towards obtaining competitive and integrated paid work experience and employment. Promote relationships between businesses and advocates and insure advocates promote employment with peers.   Prepares case notes, prepares reports summarizing consultation services provided and maintains relevant documentation; performs related duties as required.

Considerable knowledge of relevant agency policies and procedures; considerable knowledge of developmental disabilities, person centered planning and Individual Education Plans, and Individual Plans; considerable knowledge of developmental, educational and employment milestones; considerable knowledge of and ability to apply the principles of self-determination and the Department's Employment Initiative; knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; knowledge of educational school systems, educational assessments and teaching practices; knowledge of businesses and community resources; knowledge of cultural competencies; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communications skills; ability to counsel individuals and to design and implement family interventions; ability to utilize computer software.

A Bachelor's degree in Education, Educational Counseling, Social Work, Special Education, Vocational Rehabilitation or a closely related field from an accredited college or university and two (2) years of professional experience in one of the following:

1. Providing professional services to individuals with intellectual disabilities.

OR

2. Delivering special education services in an accredited school system.

A Master's degree in Education, Educational Counseling, Social Work, Special Education, Vocational Rehabilitation or a closely related field and one (1) year of the professional experience noted above may be substituted for the General Experience.

• Knowledge of business development
• Experience interacting with employers to elicit job leads and training opportunities
• Knowledge of barriers to competitive integrated employability that impact individuals with IDD
• Proven track record of helping people with IDD attain success in job placement and career objectives.
• Basic understanding of the industry, with the ability to become a subject matter expert on the job
• Considerable knowledge of developmental disabilities, person centered planning and Individual plans
• Knowledge of businesses and community resources
• Knowledge of cultural competencies as they may relate to individuals with IDD
• Considerable interpersonal skills
• Considerable oral and written communications skills including the ability to present information at conferences, meetings and fairs to individuals, groups of families, advocates and other groups.
• Experience using computers and appropriate software programs (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, etc.)
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

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

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.  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.