Introduction
The State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services (DSS), has a mission that we, along with our partners, provide person-centered programs and services to enhance the well-being of individuals, families and communities.
Are you a self-starter? Do you want to make a difference while participating in a dynamic and reciprocal human services environment? If so, please read on to learn more about this wonderful agency promotional opportunity!
We are actively recruiting qualified and talented current DSS employees for multiple Social Services Lead Investigator opportunities within our Child Support Division in in the New Britain, Norwich, and Waterbury Field Offices. These positions are full-time, first shift, 40 hours per week with a work schedule of Monday – Friday 8:00am – 4:30pm. After this job posting closes, you will have an opportunity to indicate the specific area office/town(s) you would like to work in by way of referral questions. Please note: You will not be considered for vacancies in offices that are not specified.
You will discover the opportunity to:
- Engage in a rewarding career;
- Showcase your talents in a meaningful role;
- Thrive in an exciting environment;
- Provide support to a division that is passionate about the work we do;
- Make a difference in the public sector;
- Work together in a collaborative team environment.
We would continue to offer the same competitive benefits you are accustomed to as an Agency employee. This includes 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 hope you take this opportunity to continue your career with us and make an impact by serving your state!
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.
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.
In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.
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 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.
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.
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.
PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)
In the Department of Social Services this class is accountable for acting as a working supervisor and policy specialist for a unit of Social Services Investigators engaged in performing investigations relevant to the enforcement of child support obligations.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
Plans unit workflow and determines priorities; schedules, assigns, oversees and reviews work; establishes and maintains unit procedures; provides staff training and assistance including monitoring and assessing current and projected needs; conducts or assists in conducting performance evaluations; acts as liaison with operating units, cooperating agencies and outside officials such as third party providers, social services agencies, attorneys regarding unit policies and procedures; makes recommendations on policies or standards; prepares reports and correspondence; acts as liaison with Social Services Investigations Supervisor concerning unit training needs, practical program implementation problems and effectiveness of unit workflow procedures; acts as unit policy specialist in difficult, unusual and/or complex case resolution; processes complex cases; testifies in court on cases involving support or claims for reimbursement and determines appropriate actions to enforce compliance with court orders; may be assigned to represent Commissioner in cases requiring a high degree of tact and diplomacy; performs related duties as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY
Considerable knowledge of public assistance programs concerning children and the financial obligations related to these programs; considerable knowledge of investigatory methods and techniques; considerable knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply relevant agency policies and procedures; considerable knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; considerable knowledge of economic, social and health problems affecting family security; considerable knowledge of property ownership, personal finances, paternity and child support issues; knowledge of court procedures, legal terminology and related legal instruments; considerable skill in conducting investigations; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; problem solving skills; considerable ability to understand and interpret financial and legal documents; considerable ability to negotiate settlements with legally liable party; ability to utilize computer software and systems; some supervisory ability.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE
Six (6) years of experience in the investigation of real and personal assets related to child support obligations.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE
One (1) year of the General Experience must have been in performing child support investigations.
Note: For state employees, this is interpreted at the level of a Social Services Investigator (Child Support).
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. A Master's degree in a closely related area may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
3. For state employees, one (1) year of experience as a Social Services Investigator (Child Support) may be substituted for the General and Special Experience.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
"Preference will be given to candidates with the following experience:
- Applying principles and practices of the child support enforcement program
- Using the Connecticut Child Support Enforcement System (CCSES)
- Applying relevant state and federal child support statutes, regulations, and policy
- Applying Federal Child Support Program performance measures and incentive requirements
- Analyzing and recommending solutions to complex child support problems
- Establishing and maintaining productive relationships with child support partner agencies
- Researching, gathering detailed data ,and drafting complex correspondence and reports
- Listening and responding to customer complaints via phone/email contact
- Using Microsoft 365 programs such as Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel ,Teams, etc.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
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.
