Social Services Program Assistance Technician 2

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? If so, please read on to learn more about this wonderful opportunity!  

We are currently recruiting for a qualified and talented Social Services Program Assistance Technician 2 for the Division of Program Oversight & Grant Administration.  This recruitment will be used to fill multiple openings that are currently available and other openings that are expected to become available in the near future.  These positions will be located in our Central Office at 55 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT.  This full-time, 40 hour per week position is first shift, Monday through Friday.  Telework usually offered at the maximum level permitted by state and agency policy.

The position offers the applicant a unique and challenging opportunity within the Division of Program Oversight and Grant Administration (POGA).  Activities/duties include but are not limited to the following activities: grants management, program monitoring and evaluation, technical assistance and monitoring, and other duties that may be assigned; while working with limited supervision.  The applicant will be required to work independently and within teams to complete assignments.  In addition to these exciting activities, the successful applicant will make presentations to community providers, sister state agencies and DSS colleagues.  

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 of the Department of Social Services, 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 Department of Social Services participates in E-Verify.  

In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.

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 and training most closely meet the requirements of the position. The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.

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. 

Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account.   

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, transcripts, diplomas, 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. 

If selected for further consideration, State employees may be required to provide last 2 service ratings and last 2 attendance records.

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

All state employees shall follow Executive Order 13G (as amended by Executive Order 14C).

In the Department of Social Services, this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks in monitoring a large, complex program or group of programs to ensure that program guidelines are followed and requirements met OR for providing technical assistance to agencies in program development and monitoring programs to determine and ensure their effectiveness.

GRANTS MANAGEMENT: Interprets and explains regulations, guidelines and procedures of numerous and varied Social Services public assistance programs; develops materials for and conducts workshops on program administration for agency operators; may review contract proposals for accuracy and content.
PROGRAM MONITORING AND EVALUATION: Determines feasibility of a program evaluation; conducts evaluability assessment through identification of users and use of program, collecting information on intended program activities, objectives, goals and assumed causal relationships and synthesizing this information into a rhetorical program model; conducts formative research through monitoring implementation of program activities to determine effectiveness in reaching target population and providing services intended in program design; prepares highly technical reports on findings; develops recommendations for program operators, users and evaluators on corrective action.
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND MONITORING: Conducts inspections, interviews and field visits to determine if program requirements are being met; provides technical assistance to client agencies in program development and compliance; conducts investigations necessary to ensure that records are kept properly and funds are properly expended; may review and process applications.
ALL AREAS: May develop guidelines, procedures, forms and instruments relevant to division operations and goals; may lead or train employees of lower level; performs related duties as required.

Knowledge of program development and monitoring functions; knowledge of process followed to determine program compliance; knowledge of program evaluation concepts and methodology; knowledge of formal research methodology; knowledge of grant preparation and administration; basic knowledge of formal statistical methodology; basic knowledge of accounting and budgeting principles; considerable oral and written communication skills; interpersonal skills; ability to read and interpret regulations and guidelines; ability to perform basic mathematical computations; ability to work independently or as part of a team.

Six (6) years of experience in grant administration including program development and monitoring or program monitoring and evaluation.
Note: Program refers to a set of activities designed to provide needed resources to a community, consisting of planning, budgeting, grants administration, monitoring, technical assistance, evaluation and liaison activities among others.

1. College education may be substituted for the General experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling 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 planning, public administration or other closely related area may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General experience.
3. For State employees, one (1) year of experience as a Social Services Program Assistance Technician 1 may be substituted for the General Experience.

Preference will be given to candidates who possess:

• Experience in grant administration including writing grants and contracts.
• Experience communicating in writing and verbally to diverse populations and skill levels.
• Experience providing training and technical support to non-profits and community based providers.
• Experience interpreting and applying statutes, regulations, policies and procedures in the development of Guidance and contract language.
• Experience in program monitoring and evaluation; as well as preparation of reports outlining findings and recommended corrective actions.
• Experience interpreting financial reports/documents and making recommendation on payments to be made.

Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

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.