Developmental Services Transition Advisor

The State of Connecticut, Department of Developmental Services (DDS), is a human service agency whose mission is to partner with the individuals we support and their families, to support lifelong planning and to join with others to create and promote meaningful opportunities for individuals to fully participate as valued members of their communities.  

The Department of Developmental Services seeks a qualified individual for the position of Developmental Services Transition Advisor. This position is within the Individual and Family Supports (IFS) Division and located in Willimantic, CT.  This is a full time 35 hour per week position with a schedule of Monday – Friday 8:30am – 4:00pm.  However, must be flexible to meet the needs of the agency.  

Are you a self-starter? Do you have a passion for supporting others? Do you want to make a difference while participating in a dynamic and reciprocal human services environment in the public sector? If so, we want you to join us!  

You will 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 individuals so they can achieve success;
• Make a difference in the public sector;
• Work together in a collaborative team environment.  

We offer competitive benefits which includes health and dental insurance, a retirement plan, group life insurance, and other supplemental benefits. Paid time off is also offered, including 12 paid holidays per calendar year, in addition to vacation, sick and personal leave accruals. 

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 the application is submitted to the JobAps system.  

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

If selected for further consideration, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: performance reviews, attendance, supervisor references, college transcripts, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.   

Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status updates during the recruitment process. Please note that not all applicants will be contacted for interview and are encouraged to apply for future postings.

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.

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Julie Barker, at Julie.Barker@ct.gov.

In the Department of Developmental Services, this class is accountable for independently providing consultation and assistance to individuals with intellectual 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.

Guides individuals and their families or guardians in the formulation of a transition plan; provides information about the Department to the individuals, families education  and other team members in the school system and state and private agencies; assists individuals and their families to identify, navigate, obtain and coordinate needed health, community education, or employment services; consults and assists in the completion of the Level of Need (LON) assessment for individuals in conjunction with schools and families to determine eligibility for Department programs and state and federal resources as needed; attends and participates in the school district interdisciplinary Planning and Placement Team (PPT) or DDS Individual Planning (IP) meetings for individual transition planning purposes; provides consultation to the PPT/IP with regard to individual profile information and recommends needed testing (not limited to behavioral, adaptive, physical/occupational therapy, sensory, vocational), accommodations or modifications to further plan and develop for a successful transition; evaluates education and services provided by the school or department in support of the transition plan; gathers, interprets and analyzes data to determine trends impacting agency eligibility and program services; develops transition educational materials and provides related in-service training; prepares case notes, prepares reports summarizing consultation services provided and maintains relevant documentation; assists the department Case Manager in the development of individualized budgets; performs related duties as required.

Considerable knowledge of relevant agency policies and procedures; considerable knowledge of intellectual disabilities, individual 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.

Preference will be given to candidates who possess:

• Knowledge of educational school systems, educational assessments and teaching;    
• Knowledge of businesses and community resources;
• Knowledge of cultural competencies as they may relate to students;
• Considerable interpersonal skills;                                                                                                                      
• Considerable oral and written communications skills including ability to present at Transition Fairs to groups of families and teachers;                                 
• Ability to utilize computer software.

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