Labor Department Associate Community Services Representative

The State of Connecticut, Department of Labor (DOL) is committed to protecting and promoting the interests of Connecticut workers. In order to accomplish this in an ever-changing environment, we assist workers and employers to become competitive in the global economy. We take a comprehensive approach to meeting the needs of workers and employers, and the other agencies that serve them. We ensure the supply of high-quality integrated services that serve the needs of our customers.

DOL's Hamden American Job Center has a promotional opportunity for a Labor Department Associate Community Service Representative. This opportunity is available to permanent agency employees, who meet all of the Minimum Qualifications outlined below. 

Incumbents in this class will be:

-assisting customers with their UI online filing concerns (located within the career centers of each AJC)

-conducting group orientations to discuss unemployment insurance eligibility and the benefit rights interview

-reviewing documents to identify potential unemployment eligibility issues and issue resolution through an adjudications process

-providing employment services

-conducting employment and RESEA workshops

-utilizing DOL UI and ES business systems to enter data

-travelling to Affiliate AJC locations to provide ES and UI services

This position is full-time, 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday.

Questions about these positions should be directed to the hiring agency's human resources office: DOL.HR@ct.gov.  

In order to be considered for this job opening, you must be a current State of CT employee of the Department of Labor, 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).

Please ensure that your application is complete. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State of Connecticut.

Candidates who submit an untimely, incomplete or inaccurate application will not be considered for this employment opportunity.

In the Department of Labor this class is accountable for performing specialized client services in the areas of adjudications, career development counseling, apprenticeship and/or job training programs or a specialized Operational Support function.

JOB CENTER OR FIELD LOCATION: Performs basic tasks in a specialized area:

1. Conducts basic level adjudications including assessing possibility of applying "special base period" provision and obtaining all relevant information and documentation; conducts hearings applying pertinent laws, regulations and precedent decisions and issuing a ruling regarding delay of benefits due to receipt of disqualifying income; ascertains facts, analyzing and ruling with regard to general availability for work and adequacy of efforts to find suitable work; develops facts and performs all pertinent research necessary to recommendation of fraud including imposition of penalty weeks if warranted or non-fraud including repayment waiver; conducts separation hearing for interstate claimants.

2. Provides basic career development counseling services for clients who are vocationally untracked or have significant barriers to employment.

3. In consultation with an Employer Services Specialist participates in marketing of services and programs to employers within a region including providing apprenticeship services to individuals and employers; develops on-the-job training programs; develops Customized Job Training programs which meet specialized employer needs; provides consulting services with regard to training needs, resources and standards.

OPERATIONAL SUPPORT UNIT: Performs advanced working level tasks in the Central Office:

1. Assists and participates in activities such as program development, automation support, monitoring and evaluation, training and/or technical assistance to field staff in various program areas; assists in developing training programs in assigned functional areas; participates in monitoring programs and activities for completeness, compliance with legal mandates, fiscal requirements, efficiency and customer satisfaction; assists in analyzing impact of state and/or federal legislation and regulations on departmental programs and procedures; assists in development of procedural manuals and memoranda.

2. Performs specialized and highly technical tasks in one or more of operational support functions of claims examination, benefit payment control and merit rating; researches and analyzes wage date to determine and perform corrective action; determines compliance of work and procedures with applicable laws, regulations and policy; determines successorship and waivers of liability; segregates payrolls; presents complex appeals to Appeals Division; reviews and resolves claims under complex special programs; makes monetary disqualification determinations in areas such as education employees, aliens and claimants receiving Workers Compensation; review appeals on wage usage; reviews Job Center recommendations and decisions relating to fraud to ensure compliance with regulations; reviews fraud audits prior to first notification; may serve as a team leader.

In any of the above areas of specialization assists in training employees of lower grade; may serve as a team leader; may speak before groups; performs related duties as required.

Considerable knowledge of a specialized area of Job Service, Unemployment Compensation or Employment and Training functions including pertinent laws, regulations, policies and procedures; knowledge of Job Service, Unemployment Compensation and Employment Training agency programs; knowledge of interviewing techniques and principles; knowledge of employment problems of special groups and behavioral problems hindering employment; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; analytical skills; considerable ability to understand, apply and explain relevant laws, regulations, policies, programs and procedures; ability to establish cooperative relationships with staff, employers, diverse client population and the public; decision making ability; ability to use automated systems; ability to maintain good public relations; ability to lead teams; ability to create and maintain case management records.

Six (6) years of technical level experience performing Job Service, Unemployment Insurance or Employment and Training functions.

1. College training 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 four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
2. For State employees, one (1) year of experience as a Labor Department Community Services Representative may be substituted for the General Experience.

1. Incumbents in this class assigned to veterans program positions will be required to meet the qualifications set forth in Title 38, i.e. must be veterans, preferably disabled veterans, or other qualified, eligible persons. Any employee who bumps a Labor Department Associate Community Service Representative in a veterans program position must meet the eligibility requirements under Title 38.
2. Incumbents in this class may be required to speak a foreign language.
3. Incumbents in this class may 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.