STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Labor Department Associate Community Services Representative

Hybrid Schedule

Recruitment #220728-5243SH-001

Introduction



Our Mission:
At the Department Of Labor (DOL), we are committed to protecting and promoting the interests of Connecticut workers. In order to accomplish this in an 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 the other agencies that serve them. We ensure the supply of high-quality integrated services that serve the needs of our customers.  

The Role:
The State of Connecticut, The Hamden American Job Center is now accepting applications from its qualified agency employees for the position of Labor Department Associate Community Services Representative.

The individual 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 Business Services Specialist. Appointment to Labor Department Business Services Specialist classification is contingent upon successful performance of duties and availability of funding.

Schedule:
Monday through Friday, 1st Shift.

Benefits:
We offer competitive benefits including health and dental insurance, a retirement plan, group life insurance, and other supplemental benefits. Paid time off is also offered, including 12 paid holidays per calendar year, in addition to vacation, sick and personal leave accruals. We encourage a healthy work/life balance to all employees.

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

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. 
  • The selected employee will be promoted by reclassification in his or her position.  This is NOT A VACANCY and, therefore, merit system and reemployment rules do not apply. 
  • In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.
  • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the minimum qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date, unless otherwise specified. 
  • 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.
  • At any time during the recruitment process you may be asked to submit additional information. 
  • Due to the volume of applications anticipated, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be provided through your JobAps portal account.

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.
  • Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.

Connect With Us:

  • If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment please contact Anamaria Giangarra at Anamaria.giangarra@ct.gov and reference the recruitment number.

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

JOB CENTER OR FIELD LOCATION: Performs basic tasks in a specialized area:

1. Conducts basic level adjudications including assessing possibility of applying "special base period" provision and obtaining all relevant information and documentation; conducts hearings applying pertinent laws, regulations and precedent decisions and issuing a ruling regarding delay of benefits due to receipt of disqualifying income; ascertains facts, analyzing and ruling with regard to general availability for work and adequacy of efforts to find suitable work; develops facts and performs all pertinent research necessary to recommendation of fraud including imposition of penalty weeks if warranted or non-fraud including repayment waiver; conducts separation hearing for interstate claimants.

2. Provides basic career development counseling services for clients who are vocationally untracked or have significant barriers to employment.

3. In consultation with an Employer Services Specialist participates in marketing of services and programs to employers within a region including providing apprenticeship services to individuals and employers; develops on-the-job training programs; develops Customized Job Training programs which meet specialized employer needs; provides consulting services with regard to training needs, resources and standards.

OPERATIONAL SUPPORT UNIT: Performs advanced working level tasks in the Central Office:

1. Assists and participates in activities such as program development, automation support, monitoring and evaluation, training and/or technical assistance to field staff in various program areas; assists in developing training programs in assigned functional areas; participates in monitoring programs and activities for completeness, compliance with legal mandates, fiscal requirements, efficiency and customer satisfaction; assists in analyzing impact of state and/or federal legislation and regulations on departmental programs and procedures; assists in development of procedural manuals and memoranda.

2. Performs specialized and highly technical tasks in one or more of operational support functions of claims examination, benefit payment control and merit rating; researches and analyzes wage date to determine and perform corrective action; determines compliance of work and procedures with applicable laws, regulations and policy; determines successorship and waivers of liability; segregates payrolls; presents complex appeals to Appeals Division; reviews and resolves claims under complex special programs; makes monetary disqualification determinations in areas such as education employees, aliens and claimants receiving Workers Compensation; review appeals on wage usage; reviews Job Center recommendations and decisions relating to fraud to ensure compliance with regulations; reviews fraud audits prior to first notification; may serve as a team leader.

In any of the above areas of specialization assists in training employees of lower grade; may serve as a team leader; may speak before groups; performs related duties as required.

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.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience assisting Employers in basic screening and placing job applicants; 
  • Experience using virtual platforms (such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, etc.) to participate in meetings, provide trainings and virtual services;
  • Experience in a government regulated environment interpreting regulations and following State and Federal guidelines;
  • Experience utilizing social media platforms such as LinkedIn to promote employer recruitments.

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.