Pupil Services Specialist (12 Month)

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

The State of Connecticut, Department of Children and Families (DCF) seeks a qualified individual for a Pupil Services Specialist (PSS) position.  This is a full-time, first shift, (35) hours per week position located at Albert J. Solnit North Campus, 36 Garner Street, East Windsor, CT 06088. The work schedule is Monday-Friday, 8:00 am – 3:30 pm.

The Albert J. Solnit Children’s Center North Campus provides treatment to adolescent males between the ages of 13 and 17 by utilizing a strength based, family-centered relational approach based on youth-adult partnerships with a program model designed to focus on treatment strategies which are trauma informed and gender responsive.

The incumbent will perform services for students in the area of special education training such as educational diagnosis, counseling, speech and language/hearing, social work, specialized instruction, or psychological services and assessments; serve in a resource capacity to educational staff and other appropriate individuals; confer with parents, guardians and teachers concerning individual students and assist in planning educational programs; keep records and make necessary reports, including but not limited to IEP's state assessments and educational histories: may serve as a liaison with school systems and community services; ability to collaborate with facility clinicians by participating in Care Plan and Discharge meetings. Ability to update transcripts and determine courses needed to meet graduation requirements.

The chosen candidate also serves as Planning and Place Team (PPT) Chair for their caseload. The PSS serves as the resource to educational staff and works with classroom teachers to implement the Strong Teens Program for students. The Pupil Services Specialists also maintain that their students' IEP's are in compliance with State Department of Education standards.

You will discover the opportunity to:  

• Engage in rewarding work;
• Showcase your talents in a meaningful role;
• Thrive in an exciting environment;
• Make a difference in the public sector;
• Work together in a collaborative team environment.  

What’s in it for You – Leading Comprehensive Benefit Offerings:

• Industry leading health benefits, including medical and dental coverage; 
• Comprehensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings; 
• Paid time off; 
• Professional growth and development opportunities; 
• Ability to serve the citizens of Connecticut;
• A healthy work life balance to all employees.

We hope you take this opportunity to make an impact by serving your state!

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

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 as you will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application into the JobAps system.  

Note:  At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position.  These documents may include:  a cover letter, resume, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.  Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position.   

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.   

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. 

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

In a state institution, facility or region within a state unified school district, performs professional services within the area of pupil personnel and special education services in a school setting and serves in a resource capacity and consultant to teachers.

Performs services for students in the area of special training such as educational diagnosis, counseling, speech and hearing, social work, or psychological services; serves in a resource capacity to educational staff and other appropriate individuals; confers with parents and teachers concerning individual students and assists in planning educational programs; keeps records and makes necessary reports; may serve as liaison with school systems and community services; performs related duties as required.

Knowledge of the philosophy and methods of service delivery to the assigned disciplines; knowledge of the principles and practices of education and or services for special needs population; ability to motivate students; ability to communicate at the appropriate level; ability to establish cooperative relationships with those contacted in planning educational programs; ability to prepare written reports; ability to perform educational testing.

A Master's degree which includes a planned program of preparation for the field in which the special services are performed.

Preference will be given to candidates who possess:  

• State of Connecticut certification in at least one of the following: School Psychologist (070), School Social Worker (071), Speech Pathologist (061), Special Education (065).   
• Experience with and knowledge of Special Education services and laws.  
• Experience in alternative education settings.
• Experience with 6-12 psychological and academic educational assessments.
• Experience chairing PPT's and meeting compliance dates.

1. Incumbents in this class must possess an appropriate certificate issued by the Connecticut State Board of Education in special education or special services areas such as school counselor (elementary or secondary), speech and hearing consultant, school psychologist, pscyhological examiner or school social worker.
2. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a current Connecticut Motor Vehicle operator's license.

In addition to the checking of references and of facts stated in the application, a thorough background investigation of each candidate may be made prior to appointment.

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.