STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Children Services Consultant

Recruitment #210601-1927SH-001

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Introduction


Are you interested in a career where you can make a difference, do what you are passionate about, and receive personal fulfillment?  If you are then we are looking for you to be a part of our team!

The State of Connecticut Department of Children and Families' (DCF) mission is partnering with communities and empowering families to raise resilient children who thrive. We are proud of our diverse and dedicated workforce who strive every day to meet the needs of those we encounter.

We are currently recruiting for a full-time Children Services Consultant, Intimate Partner Violence Specialist (IPVS). The position will be assigned to the Regional Resources Group and will provide case consultation to regional social work staff around domestic violence issues for families involved with DCF, assessment of DV issues, dynamics, needs of offending and non-offending parent, and children affected by Intimate Partner Violence, coordination and delivery of domestic violence services for DCF involved families. As an IPV Specialist, you will have the opportunity to promote systems change. This position also focuses on education and training both within the agency and in the community.

This position will primarily work in the Danbury Areas Office however travel and coverage for other Region 5 area offices (Waterbury and Torrington) will be required when necessary. This regional position operates 40 hours per week, Monday - Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm.

Responsibilities:

Support and Advocacy:

  • Provide consultation to DCF staff throughout the duration of cases involving intimate partner violence, including help with referrals to other services such as emergency shelter, community support and therapeutic intervention as deemed appropriate.
  • Team with DCF staff in meeting with families, at home or elsewhere.
  • Empower and support DCF staff to work with families with intimate partner violence, involvement.
  • Assist DCF staff with case planning.
  • Provide networking support with professionals (prosecutors, attorneys, probation and parole officers, others) involved in concurrent cases affecting family members.
  • Participate in case consultation, permanency teaming or other identified meetings such as SAMSS, MAPS, case assessment conferences, Administrative Case Reviews, domestic violence dockets, Multi-Disciplinary Teams and Considered Removal Meetings, as needed.
  • Act as the gatekeeper for IPV services contracts.

Direct Interaction with Families:

  • Complete client visits either in the client's home or elsewhere.
  • Provide support to clients to assist them in understanding intimate partner violence and its impact, safety planning, protection protocols, referrals and additional information as necessary.
  • Provide information about and help with applications for the victims of crime.
  • Provide assistance to families in obtaining protective and restraining orders.
  • offer resources that are culturally relevant and responsive to the unique strengths and needs of the family.

System Change:

  • Have a voice in the development of strategies and opportunities aimed at decreasing Intimate and Domestic Violence within CT Communities.
  • Be an agent of change as a part of anti-racist agency.

Training:

  • Provide training, instruction and guidance including both coordination of training and provision of training about the legal, social and health-related aspects of intimate partner violence and about community resources.
  • Provide community education, including training for a range of professionals and organizations that interact with the same families.

Community Liaisons/Gatekeeper:

  • Work with social work staff to determine the best fit for service provision.
  • Strengthen the collaboration between the CPS staff and other agencies that deal with intimate partner violence, including IPV service providers, law enforcement and probation and parole.
  • Maintain continuing interaction with the community.

Information Gathering and Dissemination:

  • Gather information and data, including tracking cases and referrals.
  • Develop and disseminate information about resources for victims, perpetrators and children that are culturally sensitive and linguistically appropriate to the community's varied populations.
  • Provide information about trends and best practices related to domestic violence.

We offer competitive benefits which include 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 hope you take this opportunity to continue your career with us and make an impact by serving your state!

Selection Plan

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.

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.

Applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies.

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

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

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.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

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.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

  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.

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.





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