Developmental Specialist 2 (40 Hour)

Are you a self-starter? Do you have a passion for supporting others? Do you want to make a difference while participating in a dynamic and reciprocal human services environment in the public sector? If so, we want you to join us!

• Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle License.
• Incumbents in this class must have the ability to coordinate clinical services with comprehensive and multidisciplinary treatment plans.

If you require an accommodation to participate fully and fairly under the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact Jennifer Borenski, EEO Specialist 2 at (860) 418-6143 or Jennifer.Borenski@ct.gov.

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.

In a state health care facility, community based health care program or correctional facility this class is accountable for conducting evaluations and therapy and providing services involving psychodiagnosis, psychotherapy, behavior modification, data collection and analysis, educational/vocational assessment and placement, rehabilitation and/or program development and evaluation under general supervision.

Under supervision, develops, implements, monitors and revises behavioral support plans; trains staff in the implementation of behavioral plans and the collection of data; selects and administers objective and projective psychodiagnostic tests; analyzes and interprets test results; assesses client mental status through observation and if client abilities accommodate, interview; writes reports including profiles on intellectual functioning and personality organization; conducts individual and group psychotherapy, crisis intervention, group therapy and family therapy; provides services involving behavior modification, milieu therapy, data collection and analysis, educational/vocational assessment and placement, rehabilitation, program development and evaluation, behavioral techniques, individual treatment recommendations and research; provides consultation to allied professionals, families, clients, direct care staff and community agencies; participates in clinical and interdisciplinary conferences and staff meetings; prepares case notes and reports; works closely with consulting psychiatrist to monitor efficacy of psychotropic medication(s); may provide consultation according to specialized expertise; may write grant proposals and renewals; may conduct Restrictive Procedures Audits; may serve as Chairperson of Program Review Committee; may serve as a Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional; performs related duties as required.

Considerable knowledge of general psychological theory and its application to treatment, rehabilitation and research programs; knowledge of relevant agency policies and procedures; knowledge of statistics and experimental design; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; considerable ability to select, score and interpret objective and projective psychological tests; considerable ability to develop treatment plans; ability to assess behavior and develop behavioral treatment strategies; ability to conduct individual and group psychotherapy; ability to provide consultation and training services; ability to utilize computer software; supervisory ability.

A Master's degree in psychology, educational psychology, rehabilitative psychology, community psychology, experimental psychology or other related degree from a program accredited by a regional educational board AND three (3) years of experience in conducting psychological testing, assessment and evaluation including one (1) year in treating and/or working with clients in the appropriate specialty serviced by the agency.
Note: For state employees, the experience component is interpreted at the level of Developmental Specialist 1.

A Doctorate degree in community psychology, educational psychology, experimental psychology, psychology, rehabilitative psychology or other related degree from a program accredited by a regional educational board AND two (2) years of experience in treating and/or working with clients in the appropriate specialty serviced by the agency may be substituted for the General Experience.

• Work experience with children and adults with Intellectual Disabilities (ID) and autism spectrum disorders.
• Clinical behavioral support experience with individuals with ID living with families in the community or in their own homes.
• Experience working in inpatient or outpatient psychiatric settings.
• Experience with biopsychosocial interviews, conducting mental status exams, motivational interviewing and assessing risk.
• Experience writing behavioral guidelines and Positive Behavior Support Plans.
• Experience with community mental health resources for individuals/families.
• Experience with clinical assessment including but not limited to diagnostic criteria using The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM V).
• Experience with problem solving and independently researching and finding solutions to complex situations.
• Experience working collaboratively with other State Agencies and Programs including Beacon Health, DMHAS, hospitals and school districts.
• Experience with Microsoft Outlook, Access, Word, Excel, Microsoft TEAMS, social media platforms and other data systems.
• Experience traveling to various worksites.
• Experience with scheduling flexibility to meet individual and family needs.

1. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.
2. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

Incumbents in this class may be required to lift and restrain clients; may have some exposure to communicable/infectious diseases and to risk of injury from clients.

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.