STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Labor Department Associate Community Services Representative

Hybrid

Recruitment #220518-5243SH-001

Introduction


The State of Connecticut, Department of Labor (DOL) is committed to protecting and promoting the interests of Connecticut workers. In order to accomplish this ever-changing 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 other agencies that serve them. We ensure the supply of high-integrated services that serve the needs of our customers. 

We are currently recruiting for a Labor Department Associate Community Services Representative in our Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), Trade Act Unit. WIOA provides federal funds to states to help job seekers, workers and businesses with career services, job training and education. The candidates appointed at Labor Department Associate Community Services Representative level must serve at least one year in that class- performing work in the target area before qualifying for promotion to Labor Department Resource Associate. Appointment to Labor Department Resource Associate classification is contingent upon successful performance of duties and availability of funding.

Selection Plan

In order to be considered for this job opening you must be a current State of CT employee of the agency listed above for at least six (6) months of full-time service or full-time equivalent service, absent any applicable collective bargaining language, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening.  You must specify your qualifications on your application. 

 To Apply:

  • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on this job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.
  • The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
  • In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.
Important Next Step Information for After You Apply:

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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,
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
  • Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
  • All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
Connect With Us:

  • If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment please contact Elizabeth Weston at Elizabeth.Weston@ct.gov and reference the recruitment number.
  • Due to the large volume of applications received, the Department of Administrative Services is unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account.
  • Follow the State of Connecticut on LinkedIn.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Labor this class is accountable for performing specialized client services in the areas of adjudications, career development counseling, apprenticeship and/or job training programs or a specialized Operational Support function.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Assist in carrying out special projects developed to help increase program activity and awareness. For example, one of the goals of the program is to have a larger social media presence and to use it more effectively to reach more potential participants. These staff members may need to research how other states have successfully implemented this type of strategy and work with their supervisor to determine how it can work for our program as well.
  • Help identify potential petitions to be filed by meeting with claimants and both DOL and partner staff in the AJCs. Assist with petition investigations and refer potential leads to the Petition Coordinator.
  • Provide outreach calls to newly certified TAA workers that appear on the company list. Call each worker to confirm receipt of application and briefly discuss the program.
  • Follow up to telephone call with an email to workers that appear on the worker list.
  • Provide support to TAA Counselors to help them successfully meet the needs of their clients. May reach out to clients to schedule appointments, gather forms and additional information as needed. Assist participants with completion of program applications and other forms (paper & online)
  • Help facilitate co-enrollment of TAA participants with WIOA partner programs
  • Develop work-based learning opportunities for participants
  • Help develop job search plans for participants about to complete TAA training and work with client for Job Search Assistance in order to secure suitable employment
  • May be assigned to a region outside assigned region if that region is experiencing a higher than normal caseload and are in need of assistance.
  • On occasion, travel to employers and training providers to promote the TAA program or participate in Company on-site BRIs.
  • When TAA-855 applications are returned, upload into CTHires. Review application against employer spreadsheet to verify info, enter relevant app data into Access. Create client folder and give to UI Tech for processing.
  • If a TAA denial, send out TAA-857 denial letter with appeal rights and log denial into main Excel sheet and enter shell trade act in CThires.
  • May Conduct weekly TAA Orientation Webinar/Benefit Rights Interviews to TAA impacted workers. Document attendance in CThires and on Worker Spreadsheet.
  • May conduct TAA Vendor Training presentations
  • Work with clients and training providers to assist with resolving issues related to training, income support payments, etc.
  • Set up various appointments for clients, including activities related to: assessment testing, counseling appointments, benchmark reviews, etc.
  • Reach out to non-responsive eligible approved workers to increase participation levels.
  • Schedule first appointments for clients with their assigned counselor, set-up various appointments for clients, including activities related to: assessment testing, counseling appointments, benchmark reviews.
  • Use reports to identify clients in need of follow-up contacts, mailings of applications or other requests for information.
  • Participate in Rapid Response Early Intervention presentations to potential TAA companies.
  • Create reports in CTHires to identify participants in need of follow-up activities.
  • Educate internal and external staff on the TAA program, attend BSU meetings and other community events.
  • Handle multiple projects/tasks concurrently and complete assignments on time.
  • Interact with clients, staff and supervisors/managers across various DOL & partner programs.
  • Work to increase the visibility of the TAA program by working closely with Community Colleges, Chambers of Commerce’s, Professional organizations, employers to promote the TAA program, promote OJT. Attend partner meetings whenever possible.
  • Assist with training peers and other office tasks as needed
  • Other duties as assigned as the position is continually evolving.
  • Perform related duties as required
  • More information can be found here.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of a specialized area of Job Service, Unemployment Compensation or Employment and Training functions including pertinent laws, regulations, policies and procedures; knowledge of Job Service, Unemployment Compensation and Employment Training agency programs; knowledge of interviewing techniques and principles; knowledge of employment problems of special groups and behavioral problems hindering employment; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; analytical skills; considerable ability to understand, apply and explain relevant laws, regulations, policies, programs and procedures; ability to establish cooperative relationships with staff, employers, diverse client population and the public; decision making ability; ability to use automated systems; ability to maintain good public relations; ability to lead teams; ability to create and maintain case management records.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Six (6) years of technical level experience in counseling, employment placement, public contact work, human service programs, community action programs, Job Service, Unemployment Insurance or Employment and Training functions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

1. 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 to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
2. For State employees, one (1) year of experience as a Labor Department Community Services Representative may be substituted for the General Experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Incumbents in this class assigned to veterans program positions will be required to meet the qualifications set forth in Title 38, i.e. must be veterans, preferably disabled veterans, or other qualified, eligible persons. Any employee who bumps a Labor Department Associate Community Service Representative in a veterans program position must meet the eligibility requirements under Title 38.
2. Incumbents in this class may be required to speak a foreign language.
3. 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.