STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Lead Children Services Worker (40 Hour)

Recruitment #210908-1922FK-001

Introduction



Are you interested in a career where you can make a difference, do what you are passionate about and receive personal fulfillment? 

If so, we invite you to discover this outstanding opportunity to join our dedicated 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. Currently, we are seeking individuals who are looking to advance their career and make a difference. 

The DCF Solnit South campus in Middletown, CT, is actively recruiting for a full-time Lead Children Services Worker! In this role, you would be a part of the Lakota Unit with a schedule as follows:
  • 40 hours per week, 2nd Shift, 2:45 pm - 11:15 pm
  • Week one - Friday/Wednesday off
  • Week two - Saturday/Sunday 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, a ball field, two gyms, recreation rooms, 4 hospital units, and 3 inpatient psychiatric residential units, and an outdoor picnic area.

We would continue to offer the same competitive benefits you are accustomed to as an Agency employee. This includes 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

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).

Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening and must specify their qualifications on their application. The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified. Please note you will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system. 

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. The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class. 

All State employees shall follow the guidelines as listed in Executive Orders  13F (3a) and 13G (3a) .

This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board  (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam. Failure to reply by the deadline indicated on the notification may result in you being disqualified from consideration. 

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.

Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status updates during the recruitment process.  Please note that not all applicants will be contacted for interview and are encouraged to apply for future postings.

Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.

If you have any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Ethan Ives at Ethan.Ives@ct.gov.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state child care facility or program this class is accountable for the administration of a shift of one or more assigned areas of residential living or program activity and for leading staff responsible for the treatment and care of an assigned group of children and youth.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Leads and advises staff in care, custody and therapeutic treatment of residents in unit; provides for adequate coverage of unit and takes necessary action in case of absences; provides for maintenance of a therapeutic milieu by assuring residents psychological and physical needs are met; assists in development of recreational activities and programs for residents; supervises recreational activities for residents; schedules unit for maintenance; participates in implementation of behavior modification programs in unit; works with caseworkers and/or social workers and other professional staff in making decisions through evaluation of residents progress and adjustment; attends meetings with unit staff and/or residents families in order to discuss behavioral problems and progress of residents in unit; writes progress reports on residents; reviews and signs reports of significant happenings in unit; maintains monthly supply and weekly clothing inventory; checks temperatures of residents and dispenses medications; assists security personnel in apprehension and return of runaways; initiates contraband searches to insure residents safety; may perform emergency medical procedures; performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of general procedures concerning routine functioning of institution; considerable knowledge of problems of adolescents and influences of environment; knowledge of security procedures regarding contraband and runaway searches, etc.; knowledge of disciplinary techniques and guidelines for use; knowledge of how to transport clients in a controlled and safe way; knowledge of fire safety procedures; knowledge of principles and practices of family therapy; knowledge of basic first aid techniques and materials; considerable interpersonal skills; ability to assess situations and use good judgment; ability to lead staff; ability to efficiently organize time, manage work and coordinate programs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Two (2) years of experience as a Children Services Worker.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

1. A Bachelor's degree in health, human services or mental health may be substituted for one (1) year of the General Experience.
2. Three (3) years of technical experience in the care of residents in an institution or facility for emotionally disturbed or delinquent children at the level of Children Services Worker including utilization of therapy techniques to achieve behavioral change.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Incumbents in this class may be required to be bilingual or fluent in American Sign Language.
2. 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.