Social Services Trainee

Recruitment #211004-7743SH-001

Location

Bridgeport, CT

Date Opened

10/8/2021 12:00:00 AM

Salary

$45,255 - $57,732 annually *New State employees start at the minimum of the salary range

Job Type

Open to the Public

Close Date

10/18/2021 11:59:00 PM

Go Back View Benefits

Introduction

Are you passionate about customer service and helping others find meaningful work?

If so, we want you to join our dedicated team!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Labor (DOL) has an opportunity for a Social Services Trainee (SST), with a target class of Labor Department Community Services Representative (CSR), located in our Bridgeport office. This trainee position receives two years of training in introductory governmental work for development of skills and knowledge in order to qualify for advancement to the target class. This role performs a variety of increasingly difficult duties as skills are acquired during the course of the training period. This is a full-time, 40 hours per week position on first shift, Monday through Friday.

Who we are:

We are committed to protecting and promoting the interests of Connecticut workers. In order to accomplish this in a constantly evolving environment, we assist workers and employers to become competitive in the global economy. We take a comprehensive approach to meeting the needs of workers and employers, and the other agencies that serve them. We ensure the supply of high-quality integrated services that serve the needs of our customers.

The Bridgeport American Job Center (AJC) system is a partnership of organizations in the Southwest region that provide workforce assistance to job seekers and employers. This collaboration of state, regional, and local organizations works as a system to help prepare and train the workforce and offer services that help businesses and industry find talent. We offer a full complement of employment services, including career centers, recruitments, workshops and employment services for veterans. We can also assist with unemployment insurance questions.

The Role:

The Social Services Trainee is used as a bridge class between clerical and/or paraprofessional classes and the entry levels in various Social Services professional series. Upon successful completion of the two (2) year, intensive training program, Social Services Trainees will be eligible for promotion to the target, professional job class of Labor Department Community Services Representative.

What we offer:

We offer competitive benefits including healthcare coverage, retirement plan, paid time off, including 12 paid holidays per calendar year in addition to vacation, sick and personal leave accruals. Also group life insurance and other supplemental benefits. We encourage a healthy work/life balance to all employees.

Selection Plan

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

Please ensure that your application is complete and details your experience as outlined in this job posting. Please note: 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.

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.

Applicants invited to interview will be required to submit additional documentation, which supports their qualification(s) for this position, at the discretion of the hiring agency. These documents may include: a resume, performance reviews, supervisory references, college transcripts, licensure, etc. Please do not submit these documents with your application.

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 social and human service agency this class is accountable for receiving on-the-job training designed to develop the knowledge and skills needed to perform various technical duties involved in social services delivery such as eligibility determinations for various programs, investigations, health care screening, employment services or program monitoring.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Conducts Unemployment Insurance (UI) Re-Employment Services & Eligibility Assessment Program (RESEA) interviews with customers.
Reviews efforts to find work and advise UI customers about the services available in the American Job Center to assist in their return to the workforce.
Identifies potential UI eligibility issues.
Provides labor market and career information that addresses customer's specific needs.
Makes referrals to supporting agencies for re-employment services and/or training.
Registers/Enrolls customers in our state's workforce development business system, CTHires, and provides job matching assistance.
Records activities/services provided in business systems.
Provides employment services (both virtually and in-person) to job seekers in the Bridgeport American Job Center (AJC)/Southwest Region on a rotating basis by providing job search assistance, assisting with the completion of online job applications, critiquing & guidance on résumés and advising on cover letters and thank you letters.
Facilitates employment readiness workshops to job seekers on topics such as, but not limited to: Fundamentals of Résumé Writing, Interviewing Strategies & Techniques and Successful Job Search Strategies.
May assist UI customers with filing claims, address changes, weekly claim assistance and provide general UI information.
Reviews the rights and responsibilities of UI eligibility with customers along with available services and resources in our Southwest region's Workforce Development system to help customers return to work sooner.
Determines eligibility for Dislocated Worker status based on Agency guidelines and certify job seekers as dislocated workers.
Performs other related duties.
More information can be found here.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Basic knowledge of services provided by public sector social services agencies; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; ability to follow oral and written instructions; mathematical ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Two (2) years of experience providing social services to individuals or families in need or performing basic technical or complex clerical duties which would lead to the acquisition of the knowledge, skills and abilities outlined above.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preference will be given to candidates with the following experience:

Past employment with the Dept. of Labor or with an organization that is part of, or affiliated with the American Job Center Network
Completing multiple duties simultaneously within specific due dates
Using Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel
Providing customer service
Using virtual platforms, such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, etc. to participate in meetings, provide training and collaborate on documents

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

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.