Labor Department Operations Coordinator

Are you a self-starter? Do you want to make a difference? If so, please read on to learn more about this wonderful opportunity!  

The State of Connecticut, Department of Labor (DOL) is 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.  

We are currently recruiting for one (1) opportunity as a Labor Department Operations Coordinator to be a part of our Welfare to Work unit in Wethersfield, CT. This is a first shift, full-time, Monday through Friday position. The normal hours are 8:00 to 4:30 pm with some flexibility.  

Our Welfare to Work unit is responsible for overseeing the Jobs First Employment Services (JFES) program in partnership with the Connecticut Department of Social Services and the five Workforce Development Boards in Connecticut.  

The JFES program helps parents gain the skills needed to obtain meaningful employment and become independent of Cash Assistance or welfare benefits. This position involves working with a small, dynamic team of individuals who oversee the JFES program while looking for creative, innovative strategies to alleviate poverty for our program participants.  

Discover the opportunity to:

• Engage in rewarding work;
• Showcase your talents in a meaningful role;
• Thrive in an exciting environment;
• Make a difference in the public sector;
• Work together in a collaborative team environment.  

As a state employee, you will be open to a terrific work life balance and competitive benefits package. This includes; excellent health care, generous leave policies, a retirement plan, a deferred compensation program, and more.

We hope you take this opportunity to make an impact by serving your state!

These positions will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules.

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

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.

#INDLP

In the Department of Labor this class is accountable for performing as a specialist in the coordination of complex programs, agency operations and providing expertise in problem resolution.

Assists Jobs First Employment Services (JFES) Program Manager and/or Operations Coordinators in planning and coordination of activities related to the administration and oversight of the JFES program.  Leads program development and implementation of initiatives.  Assists in the development of agency wide plans.   Serves as a resource and provides support to the five Workforce Development Boards (WDBs) and their direct service providers including 70 JFES Case Managers.  Functions as a team leader.  Monitors the JFES program and/or functional areas ensuring goals met.  Identifies problems in assigned areas and oversees development of corrective action plans to effect resolution.  Acts as a resource and facilitator to teams and provides problem solving guidance on a routine basis.  Monitors program performance indicators to continually assess adequacy of service delivery in terms of customer perceived quality, timeliness and compliance with legal mandates and agency objectives.  Uses DOL’s business system (CTHires) to run reports and monitor WDB performance.  Assesses need for JFES staff development and conducts or arranges for training.  Oversees development of procedural manuals and informational memorandums.   Leads customer and/or public relations activities as assigned.  Reviews, interprets, analyzes and adapts state and federal legislation or regulations to determine need for new or revised policies, procedures or regulations.  May have accountability as resource specialist for a designated program of service or providing staff support statewide for a program or service of agency.  May play a lead role in the development of contracts and the review and monitoring of these contracts.  May serve as a liaison to state or federal agencies with jurisdiction over the JFES program or as a liaison to other community-based organizations.   Writes and monitors Memorandum of Agreements (MOAs) with partner agencies. May oversee monitoring and evaluation process for sub-unit or participate in overall statewide monitoring activities.  May oversee provision of data processing and automation of support activities.  May represent DOL and the JFES Unit at regional JFES partner meetings.  Performs related duties as required.  Additional duties can be found here.

Considerable knowledge of relevant agency policies and procedures; considerable knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; considerable knowledge of modern office methods and procedures; knowledge of techniques of statistical analysis; knowledge of data processing systems and their capabilities; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; problem solving skills; ability to analyze and interpret laws, policies and regulations; ability to analyze organizational problems, conduct studies and determine effective solutions.

Eight (8) years of technical level experience performing Job Service, Unemployment Insurance or Employment and Training functions.

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been in coordinating complex programs, agency operations and/or acting in a consultative capacity in problem resolution.

Note: For State Employees this is interpreted at the level of a Labor Department Adjudications Specialist, Labor Department Business Services Specialist, Labor Department Career Development Specialist, Labor Department Resource Associate or Labor Department Programs and Services Coordinator.

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. A Master's degree in business administration or public administration or a closely related area may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

Preference will be given to candidates who possess the following:

• Experience working with the public in a social service environment.
• Experience working with individuals living in poverty or with other barriers to employment.
• Experience working with a case management or business system.
• Experience partnering with social service organizations on social and government programs. 
• Experience in providing training to employees and leading and facilitating meetings.
• Experience with utilizing interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite 10.  
• Experience in reviewing and interpreting laws.
• Experience in serving as a Project Lead.
• Experience in writing memos, procedures and policies.
• Experience in supervising employees.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher.

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.