STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Public Assistance Consultant

Recruitment #201231-6645SH-001

Introduction



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The State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services (DSS) is recruiting for a Public Assistance Consultant within our Child Support Unit in Central Office, located at 55 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT. This full-time, 40 hour per week position is first shift, Monday through Friday.

Some of the duties in this role include working with State Disbursement Unit (SDU) Contract and Operations Coordination; IRS Safeguard Audit and Training Compliance; Escheatment Coordination; CT-RI Partnership Agreement Contract Maintenance; Child Support Debit and Credit Card Program Coordination ;Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) Implementation with Other State Child Support Programs; Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) C.O. Administrative Enforcement Operations liaison; Federal Reports – 34A & Non-IVD Caseload Collections Report; Policy and Procedures Development & Implementation, including DocuShare maintenance; Interpret statutes, regulations, and policy based on federal and state law initiatives; Development and administration of IV-D (State run child support enforcement program) contracts; Interstate Case Reconciliation (ICR) liaison; Office of the State Treasurer liaison for Unclaimed Property claims; Oversight of the Connecticut Child Support Enforcement System (CCSES) Application Problem Report; CCSES access request liaison for System & Methods Inc. (SMI), Auctor and Attorney General's office (AGO) employees; CCSES enhancements as assigned. Also conduct and lead meetings with various business partners.

Our ideal candidate will have considerable knowledge of the child support program and CCSES, be detail oriented and organized, able to work autonomously with limited direction, project management skills, excellent communication skills, proficient in mathematics, have the ability to interpret complex written material, including legal narrative, legislation and regulations, and assess the impact of these on the child support program. Have capability to identify system enhancements, ability to troubleshoot and problem solve, specifically in finding errors.

Our agency delivers and funds a wide range of programs and services as Connecticut’s multi-faceted health and human services agency. DSS serves about 1 million residents of all ages in all 169 Connecticut cities and towns. We support the basic needs of children, families, older and other adults, including persons with disabilities. Services are delivered through 12 field offices, central administration, and online and phone access options. Follow us on twitter@ctdss and see what we are all about!

The Department of Social Services participates in E-Verify.

Selection Plan

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

If selected for further consideration, State employees may be required to submit additional documentation, which supports their qualification(s) for this position, at the discretion of the hiring agency. These documents include: two most recent performance reviews and last two years attendance records. Candidates must clearly specify their qualifications in their application. Applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies.

The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.

This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs) which will be sent to you via email after the closing date. The email notification will include an expiration date by which you must submit (Finish) your responses. Please regularly check your email for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders, as emails could end up there in error.

Should you have any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Jasmyn Raymond at Jasmyn.Raymond@ct.gov.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Social Services this class is accountable for coordinating program/policy planning, development, implementation and monitoring for a major agency project, program or initiative.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Coordinates program/policy planning, development, implementation and monitoring for a statewide program, program initiative, or project; leads project teams or participates in program development, implementation, and monitoring activities; develops budget estimates and performs cost benefit analyses; analyzes and evaluates existing and proposed programs/policies to determine feasibility and impact on quality of service; conducts trends analysis and quantitative analysis regarding program operations and fiscal issues; develops requests for proposals, selects or participates in the selection of vendors, develops contracts, monitors contracts and approves payments; develops spending plans for contracted services; negotiates with federal officials and develops waivers of federal regulations for state public assistance and health care initiatives; negotiates with outside legal representatives and responds to challenges of programs criteria; analyzes federal and state statutes, regulations, etc. for program impact; coordinates activities of project or program staff to meet program goals and project deadlines; prepares comprehensive reports on the status of planning and program development efforts; acts as liaison with state, federal and community agencies regarding assigned programs/projects to ensure service delivery and provide problem resolution; provides technical assistance to field staff; may draft legislative proposals for agency program initiatives; may prepare draft regulations and coordinate regulations review process for assigned program areas; may conduct public hearings regarding proposed policy changes; may testify before legislative committees regarding agency or legislative program initiatives; may provide support to regional/central office operations by translating program requirements into data system specifications and testing and releasing changes in operating systems based on changes; may provide support and technical assistance to system users including training in new procedures; performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of social services programs; considerable knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes, and regulations; considerable knowledge of principles of public administration; knowledge of community organizations and social service agencies; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; considerable ability to plan, organize, and coordinate complex programs; ability to interpret complex written material including legal narrative, legislation and regulations and assess the impact of these on programs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Eight (8) years of professional experience in a social services program.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been in a lead or consultative capacity with responsibility for case review and evaluation and/or technical policy interpretation and implementation at the level of Eligibility Services Specialist, Social Services Lead Investigator, Social Services Program Assistance Specialist, Fair Hearings Officer, Quality Control Reviewer or Social Worker.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

1. College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equaling one-half year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
2. A Master's degree in a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preference will be given to candidates who have:
  • Experience interacting with and explaining information to individuals in a fast-paced environment that involves considerable phone and email contact
  • Proficient computer skills and knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and Teams

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.