STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Children Services Worker (40 Hour)

Recruitment #190321-1923FK-001

Introduction



The State of Connecticut, Department of Children and Families (DCF), Solnit South campus in Middletown CT, is recruiting for a full-time, Children Services Worker. This position will be located in the Hospital on the Passaic Unit, 2nd shift (2:45pm - 11:15 pm). The schedule is week one Friday, Tuesday off,  week two Saturday and Sunday off.

The Albert J. Solnit Children's Center is part of the Department of Children and Families, widely recognized as a center of excellence for family-centered treatment of children and youth with serious emotional disturbances. This state-administered Psychiatric facility provides comprehensive care to children and adolescents under the age of eighteen, with severe mental illness and related behavioral and emotional problems who cannot be safely assessed or treated in a less restrictive setting. The South Campus consists of four co-ed hospital units and three female adolescent psychiatric residential treatment facility cottages (PRTF).

Our 67-acre campus is centrally located in Middletown, Connecticut overlooking the Connecticut River. The Solnit Center facilities support our dedication to helping youth improve their individual and social competencies. The campus includes: two schools, an indoor pool, playgrounds, a ball field, two gyms, recreation rooms, seven program-specific residential units, and an outdoor picnic area.

Upon successful completion of the working test period, effective the payroll period following, this position will be compensated at Step 1 of the classification.

Selection Plan

If selected to interview, please bring the following at the time of interview:

Non State Employees:

  • 3 supervisory references
  • Transcripts if applicable

State Employees:

  • 2 most recent performance evaluations

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Amy Morris at amy.morris@ct.gov. Please note that due to the high volume of applicants, notices are sent via email from the State of Connecticut Job Aps system. Reference #44711.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state child care facility or program this class is accountable for performing a full range of basic counseling and custodial activities for residents.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Counsels and advises residents individually on such matters as purpose of institutionalization, problems, progress in unit and placement plans; participates in maintaining a therapeutic milieu by meeting psychological and physical needs of residents; oversees daily living activities to insure proper care of residents; teaches residents in unit self support skills such as basic money management, daily living habits, hygiene, etc.; dispenses rewards to residents as a result of behavior; oversees recreational activities for residents; writes reports of significant events in unit such as runaways and accidents; checks temperatures of residents and dispenses selected medications; records daily activities in log book; escorts residents to destinations on and off grounds, to and from meals, class, infirmary, court, placements, etc; disciplines children who are acting out and follows up with appropriate action; attends staff meetings and training sessions to improve treatment and therapy skills; performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Knowledge of human behavior and emotions; knowledge of behaviors characteristic of clients with emotional and/or behavioral disorders; knowledge of proper procedures in threatening or emergency situations; considerable interpersonal skills; ability to foster self worth and self identity in clients; ability to counsel and motivate clients in coping with problems and setting achievable goals; ability to use good judgment and assess situations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Two (2) years of paraprofessional experience in an applied treatment program for emotionally disturbed, delinquent, behaviorally disordered, educationally deficient or intellectually disabled children or youth.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

  1. An Associate's Degree in the health, human services or mental health areas may be substituted for the General Experience.
  2. Thirty (30) college credits in a course of study leading to a Bachelor's Degree in the behavioral sciences may be substituted for one (1) year of the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants with experience in a congregate care treatment program with adolescents preferred.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  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 possess and maintain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license.
  3. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

WORKING CONDITIONS

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.

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.