Children Services Consultant

• Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening and must specify their qualifications on their application. Please note revisions cannot be made once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system.

• 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).

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

• Please include a resume within the "Resume Tab".

• 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.

• Applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies.

• At any point later in the recruitment process, 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.

• Should you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Kelly Paul at Kelly.Paul@ct.gov.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Preference will be given to candidates who have:

1. Experience navigating LINK and DCF technology including creating systems to track progress using Excel, data analysis/data quality for new system/CT-KIND development, ROM, LINK Reports, Microsoft Products including Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, PowerPoint, etc.
2. Experience reviewing, analyzing, and documenting significant events, critical incidents and/or interventions.
3. Experience working collaboratively with teams to deliver excellent results and maintain a collegial work environment. Ideally including experience on a team that leverages technology to help enhance operations.
4. Experience in designing and facilitating trainings, meetings and presentations for internal staff, community partners and a variety of stakeholders, including small and large groups (e.g., trainings on new development in CT-KIND, LEAN/Mapping events, etc.)
5. Experience interpreting and understanding state and federal reporting mandates, policies and regulations to oversee compliance (e.g., outcome measures, AFCARS NYTD, NCANDS, ROM, LINK Reports, etc.).
6. Experience in project management; involving time management and adherence to strict deadlines, leadership and coaching skills, organization, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

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.