Introduction
Are you interested in a career where you can positively impact the lives of children and adolescents? If this is your passion and you want to make a difference, consider joining our team where you can receive personal fulfillment!
The mission of the State of Connecticut, Department of Children and Families (DCF) is to partner with communities and empowering families to raise resilient children who thrive.
We are recruiting for anticipated vacancies for Children Services Worker at the Albert J. Solnit Children's Center in Middletown, CT.
These part-time positions will have various schedules (to be determined) on first, second and third shifts. Schedules will be based on operational needs and will include non-standard start and end times, holidays and weekends.
Some examples of schedules are:
Sixteen (16) hours-weekend only on:
- 1st shift, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- 2nd shift, 2:45 p.m. to 11:15 p.m.
- 3rd shift, 11:10 p.m. to 7:10 a.m.
Thirty two (32) hours on second shift (2:45 p.m. to 11:15 p.m.) Friday through Monday
Week 1: Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday & Thursday off
Week 2: Tuesday and Wednesday off
The Albert J. Solnit Children’s Center is widely recognized as a center of excellence for family-centered treatment of children and youth with serious emotional disturbances. This state-administered Psychiatric facility provides comprehensive care to children and adolescents under the age of eighteen, with severe mental illness and related behavioral and emotional problems who cannot be safely assessed or treated in a less restrictive setting. The South Campus consists of four co-ed hospital units and three female adolescent psychiatric residential treatment facility cottages (PRTF).
Our 67-acre campus is centrally located in Middletown, Connecticut overlooking the Connecticut River. The Solnit Center facilities support our dedication to helping youth improve their individual and social competencies.
The campus includes:
- Two schools
- An indoor pool
- Playgrounds
- One ball field
- Two gyms
- Recreation rooms
- An outdoor picnic area
Components of the program include: comprehensive multidisciplinary assessment; 24-hour supervision and monitoring; individual, group and family therapy; medication evaluation and management; intensive case management; and in-home support.
*New hires to State service will start at the introductory rate for this class of $26.22 per hour. Upon completion of the initial working test period, the incumbent's salary will be increased to the standard pay plan for this job class.
Requirements for this role:
- Must have a current, valid Motor Vehicle Operator's License and pass a DMV check
- Must successfully pass an extensive background check at the State and federal level via fingerprinting
- Must successfully complete pre-employment physical including a drug screen and Tuberculosis (TB) test
- Will be subject to mandatory overtime
We offer competitive benefits including 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. We encourage a healthy work/life balance to all employees.
Selection Plan
Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening and must specify their qualifications on their application.
Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience most closely meets the preferred qualifications, so please ensure that your application is complete and details your experience as outlined in this job posting. Please include your resume within the "Resume Tab" of your application. You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application into the JobAps system. Applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation, which supports their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: performance reviews, attendance reports, supervisory references, college transcripts, licenses, etc. at the discretion of the hiring agency. Submission of these documents are not required with your application. You may be required to attend more than one interview during the selection process.
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.
Due to the volume of applications anticipated, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be provided through your JobAps portal account. Applicants are encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status board daily to monitor their status and check for notices from recruiters. Viewing notices from the board ensures applicants have full visibility of all emailed notices.
If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Jasmyn Raymond, Jasmyn.Raymond@ct.gov.
PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)
In a state child care facility or program this class is accountable for performing a full range of basic counseling and custodial activities for residents.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
Counsels and advises residents individually on such matters as purpose of institutionalization, problems, progress in unit and placement plans; participates in maintaining a therapeutic milieu by meeting psychological and physical needs of residents; oversees daily living activities to insure proper care of residents; teaches residents in unit self support skills such as basic money management, daily living habits, hygiene, etc.; dispenses rewards to residents as a result of behavior; oversees recreational activities for residents; writes reports of significant events in unit such as runaways and accidents; checks temperatures of residents and dispenses selected medications; records daily activities in log book; escorts residents to destinations on and off grounds, to and from meals, class, infirmary, court, placements, etc; disciplines children who are acting out and follows up with appropriate action; attends staff meetings and training sessions to improve treatment and therapy skills; performs related duties as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY
Knowledge of human behavior and emotions; knowledge of behaviors characteristic of clients with emotional and/or behavioral disorders; knowledge of proper procedures in threatening or emergency situations; considerable interpersonal skills; ability to foster self worth and self identity in clients; ability to counsel and motivate clients in coping with problems and setting achievable goals; ability to use good judgment and assess situations.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE
Two (2) years of paraprofessional experience in an applied treatment program for emotionally disturbed, delinquent, behaviorally disordered, educationally deficient or intellectually disabled children or youth.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED
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An Associate's Degree in the health, human services or mental health areas may be substituted for the General Experience.
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Thirty (30) college credits in a course of study leading to a Bachelor's Degree in the behavioral sciences may be substituted for one (1) year of the General Experience.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Preference will be given to individuals with the following experience:
- Working in congregate care treatment programs
- Working in a psychiatric/behavioral health, medical or hospital setting
- As a member of an interdisciplinary treatment team
- Documenting significant events, critical incidents and/or interventions
- Escorting residents to destinations on and off grounds
- Advocating and teaching self-support skills to youth, reinforcing positive behaviors and/or applying therapeutic interventions
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
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Incumbents in this class may be required to be bilingual or fluent in American Sign Language.
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Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and maintain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license.
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Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Incumbents in this class may be required to lift or restrain residents and may have significant exposure to risk of injury from assaultive and/or abusive residents.
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.
