Public Assistance Consultant

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).

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

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, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency. If selected for further consideration, State employees may be required to provide last 2 service ratings last 2 attendance records. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position. 

This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. All Candidates who meet the Minimum Qualifications (as listed on the job opening) must submit an application and  will be considered for this role, as determined by qualifications stated on the submitted application.

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 Department of Social Services participates in E-Verify, which is a web-based system that allows enrolled employers to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States. 

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

In the Department of Social Services this class is accountable for coordinating program/policy planning, development, implementation and monitoring for a major agency project, program or initiative.

Coordinates program/policy planning, development, implementation and monitoring for a statewide program, program initiative, or project; leads project teams or participates in program development, implementation, and monitoring activities; develops budget estimates and performs cost benefit analyses; analyzes and evaluates existing and proposed programs/policies to determine feasibility and impact on quality of service; conducts trends analysis and quantitative analysis regarding program operations and fiscal issues; develops requests for proposals, selects or participates in the selection of vendors, develops contracts, monitors contracts and approves payments; develops spending plans for contracted services; negotiates with federal officials and develops waivers of federal regulations for state public assistance and health care initiatives; negotiates with outside legal representatives and responds to challenges of programs criteria; analyzes federal and state statutes, regulations, etc. for program impact; coordinates activities of project or program staff to meet program goals and project deadlines; prepares comprehensive reports on the status of planning and program development efforts; acts as liaison with state, federal and community agencies regarding assigned programs/projects to ensure service delivery and provide problem resolution; provides technical assistance to field staff; may draft legislative proposals for agency program initiatives; may prepare draft regulations and coordinate regulations review process for assigned program areas; may conduct public hearings regarding proposed policy changes; may testify before legislative committees regarding agency or legislative program initiatives; may provide support to regional/central office operations by translating program requirements into data system specifications and testing and releasing changes in operating systems based on changes; may provide support and technical assistance to system users including training in new procedures; performs related duties as required.

Considerable knowledge of social services programs; considerable knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes, and regulations; considerable knowledge of principles of public administration; knowledge of community organizations and social service agencies; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; considerable ability to plan, organize, and coordinate complex programs; ability to interpret complex written material including legal narrative, legislation and regulations and assess the impact of these on programs.

Eight (8) years of professional experience in a social services program.

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been in a lead or consultative capacity with responsibility for case review and evaluation and/or technical policy interpretation and implementation at the level of Eligibility Services Specialist, Social Services Lead Investigator, Social Services Program Assistance Specialist, Fair Hearings Officer, Quality Control Reviewer or Social Worker.

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

Preference will be given to those who possess the following: 

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.