Social Services Program Specialist

The State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services (DSS), has a mission that we, along with our partners, provide person-centered programs and services to enhance the well-being of individuals, families and communities.

Are you a self-starter? Do you want to make a difference while participating in a dynamic and reciprocal human services environment in the public sector? If so, please read on to learn more about this fantastic opportunity for you!  

We are currently recruiting for two qualified and talented Social Services Program Specialists within the Business System Division located at our Central Office at 55 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT. This position is full-time, first shift, 40 hours per week, Monday – Friday 8:00am – 4:30pm.   

You will discover the opportunity to:  

• Engage in a rewarding career;
• Showcase your talents in a meaningful role;
• Thrive in an exciting environment;
• Provide support to a division that is passionate about the work we do;
• Make a difference in the public sector;
• Work together in a collaborative team environment.  

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

In order to be considered for this job opening, you must be a current State of CT employee, 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 immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.  

The Department of Social Services participates in E-Verify.  

Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening and specify their qualifications on their application. Please ensure that your application is complete and you have included your resume in the “Resume Tab” of your application as you will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application into the JobAps system.  

Applicants invited to interview may be required to submit additional documentation supporting their qualification(s). These documents may include: performance reviews, supervisory references, college transcripts, licensure, etc. at the discretion of the agency.  

If selected for further consideration,

State of CT Employees may be required to provide:

• Two (2) most recent years of attendance records
• Two (2) most recent service ratings

Non-State of CT Employees may be required to provide:

• Two (2) current letters of professional reference
• A writing sample  

This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQ’s) 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.  

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

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

In the Department of Social Services, this class is accountable for providing complex functional and technical support to a unit engaged in support of the IMPACT, Eligibility Processing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) business functions.

Oversees and validates systems operational procedures, schedule and results reporting; assists in incident investigation, project planning and status updates; participates in the Change Request process from initiation through implementation including approval from the Change Control Board (CCB); participates in project Business System Design (BSD) session; leads test team activities such as developing test plans, validating test results, tracking defects and implementing correction plans; validates that the requirements traceability matrixes (RTM) are developed, maintained and completed; performs application security management role; monitors and escalates project IT concerns to DSS management; assists IT developers by interpreting business requirements into technical requirements; develops, reviews and monitors operational procedures; participates in project Technical Detail Design (TDD) sessions to ensure they are completed, accurate and validated against the Business System Design; assists in application help desk support for user systems; works closely with IT, business partners, system integrators and other state agencies; acts as project coordinator for small IT projects that do not have permanent project managers; coordinates and disseminates communications to DSS and business partners concerning DSS application systems; participates in the release management and CCB functions assuring that IT technical updates are planned, scheduled and implemented in a timely manner; participates in the Information Technology Systems Project Management Office and project tracking groups; perform related duties as required.

Considerable knowledge of IMPACT modules and how they are integrated; considerable knowledge of and the ability to map business processes; considerable knowledge of programming logic, validation testing, script writing and other troubleshooting software; considerable knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply relevant agency policies and procedures as well as state/federal laws, statutes and regulations; knowledge of community organizations and social services agencies; considerable analytical and problem solving skills; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; considerable presentation and training skills; considerable ability to plan, organize and coordinate complex business processes; considerable ability to handle multiple projects; considerable ability to gather and communicate technical information to the appropriate sources; considerable ability to utilize Enterprise Resource Planning systems; supervisory ability.

Nine (9) years of professional experience in a social services program, determination of client eligibility for public assistance or technical business support.

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been in a supervisory capacity in the provision of IMPACT Eligibility Processing Enterprise Resource Planning business functions. For State employees, this is interpreted at the level of Social Services Supervising Analyst.

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

2. A Master's degree in a closely related area may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

Preference will be given to candidates who possess:

• Experience with collaborative verbal and written communication skills to communicate effectively across all levels of the organization;
• Experience working within the Systems Development LifeCycle (SDLC);
• Experience communicating business and/or technical information to project partners;
• Experience using JIRA, Microsoft Office 365, Sharepoint or other project management tracking applications;
• Experience handling multiple projects and initiatives concurrently.

1. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

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

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.