STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Children Services Consultant

Recruitment #190729-1927SH-100

Introduction



The State of Connecticut, Department of Children and Families (DCF) anticipates six (6) promotional opportunities for Children Services Consultants (CSC) to serve as Enhanced Services Coordinators who will oversee the statewide implementation of the Enhanced Service Coordination model. The opportunities are not vacancies, rather the certification list generated from this posting will be utilized to identify candidates within the Region for a voluntary reclassification in position after a competitive process. CSCs assuming this role will be accountable for consultation, coordination, and the delivery of this model in their respective region. Responsibilities will include the collection, tracking and analyzing of data related to service utilization, provider performance, monitoring of barriers/troubleshooting and issue resolution to help improve the agency’s matching of services to better meet the needs of clients.

Please consider joining the Department efforts to ensure we are matching families to the most appropriate services to meet their needs resulting in successful outcomes for the children and families we serve.

Ideal candidates will:
  • Be extremely organized.
  • Be resourceful.
  • Be solution focused.
  • Possess strong communication skills.
  • Have established successful working relationships with a broad cross-section of internal DCF staff as well as external stakeholders, including providers. Travel will be required.

Selection Plan

In order to be considered for this job opening, you must be a current State of CT employee of the Department of Children and Families, who has permanent state status*, 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).

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Frances Leon at Frances.Leon@ct.gov, 860-550-6489.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES: This class is accountable for providing consultation, coordination and delivery of specialized children services program activities.

OFFICE OF THE CHILD ADVOCATE: This class is responsible for assisting the Child Advocate in securing and ensuring the legal, civil and special rights of children residing in the state of Connecticut.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES: Plans, develops and implements new special programs and projects as assigned; develops and negotiates contracts; monitors, evaluates and makes recommendations for modifications in existing programs; provides consultative services to regional offices within department, social services agencies, courts, child caring institutions and individuals in matters relating to child and foster care, adoption, protective services, private child placing agencies or child caring institutions; participates in preparation of manual material, forms and interpretative material; provides consultation to field staff in solution to problems; plans and participates in training programs and workshops for field staff in conjunction with the training section; facilitates flow of information among courts, judges, public officials, auxiliary services and other departments; acts for director in communicating changes in procedures, practices and policies throughout various regional offices and following up for consistency in their implementation; may represent department in committees to improve children's services and use of financial and human resources; performs related duties as required.

OFFICE OF THE CHILD ADVOCATE: Assists Child Advocate in securing and ensuring legal, civil and special rights of children residing in State of Connecticut; evaluates delivery of services to children by state agencies; reviews procedures of state agencies providing services to children with a view toward rights of children; investigates complaints regarding children receiving state services; visits residential facilities to review procedures, assure safety and assess facilities; may recommend changes in state policies concerning children including changes in system of providing juvenile justice, child care, foster care and treatment; performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge and understanding of case work principles, methods and techniques; considerable knowledge of factors which influence attitudes and behavior of individuals and families; considerable knowledge of departmental programs, policies and procedures; knowledge of legal basis for departmental programs and requirements; knowledge of community resources and services they provide; knowledge of group process including group leadership skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; interpersonal skills; ability to understand and explain complex written materials.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Eight (8) years of experience in work having as its primary responsibility the autonomous and self directed use of case management techniques and therapeutic counseling to sustain or restore client functioning.

Note: Qualifying experience at this level shall include use of professional interviewing techniques; provision of skilled therapeutic counseling to an assigned client caseload; assessment of basic client needs (nutritional, environmental, financial, medical, protective service, etc.) through continuing personal observation during home visits and intervention; evaluation of social work interns.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

  1. College training may be substituted for the General experience on the basis of fifteen (15) credit hours equaling six (6) months of employment to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
  2. A Master's degree in counseling or psychology may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience for a total of five (5) years.
  3. A Master's degree in social work or child welfare may be substituted for two (2) additional years of the General Experience for a total of six (6) years.
  4. For State employees, two (2) years of experience as a Social Worker-Social and Human Services with responsibility for a caseload focused on children and youth may be substituted for the entire General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • 2 years’ experience as a DCF child protective services Social Worker.
  • Experience in quality assurance.
  • Experience in data collection and analytics.
  • Demonstrated proficiency in use of Excel.
  • Demonstrated experience in the multidisciplinary consults and service referral process.

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.