Communications Manager

Are you a self-starter? Are you looking to take the next step in your career? If so, please read on to learn more about this wonderful opportunity!  

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.  

We are recruiting for a Communications Manager (Manager of Regulatory Compliance-Communications). The position is located in the DSS Central Office, 55 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT and will assume a leadership role in the administration of the privacy program which ensures the protection of health information that is maintained by all divisions and local offices within the Department. This position has a work schedule of Monday – Friday 8:30am – 5:00pm.  

This position will be responsible for all privacy-related matters in Central Office and will support, supervise and evaluate the privacy activities of the HIPAA Privacy Liaisons in DSS field offices. Additionally, this position will support the unit in handling Freedom of Information requests.  The position will also work with the DSS Communications Director and serve as the back-up spokesperson for the agency as well as shepherd media related inquiries, FOIA requests and assist with media efforts such as Twitter and Instagram.  

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 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 13 paid holidays per calendar year, in addition to vacation, sick and personal leave accruals. We encourage a healthy work/life balance to all employees.

We hope you take this opportunity to continue your career with us and 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.

The Department of Social Services participates in E-Verify.  

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.

#INDHP

In the Departments of Social Services and Developmental Services, this class is accountable for planning, organizing and directing a major program.

Manages staff and operations of a program; coordinates, plans and manages activities; formulates program goals and objectives; develops or assist in development of related policy; evaluates staff; analyzes federal and state statues, programming documents and regulations to insure appropriate policies and procedures; determines priorities and develops necessary plans to meet program objectives; acts as liaison with other operating units, agencies and outside officials regarding regulatory policies and procedures; reviews statutes and regulations; prepares reports and correspondence; serve on committees and task forces where input from field public, constituents and other related officials is sought; agency point of contact for all legislative and regulatory activities; performs related duties as required.

Considerable knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; considerable knowledge of relevant agency policies and procedures; considerable knowledge of principles and methods of  social services programs and administration; knowledge of methods and procedures of regulatory and legislative research and processes;  knowledge of and ability to apply management principles and techniques; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; ability to interpret and recommend administrative regulations; ability to analyze problems and recommend appropriate action; ability to analyze and interpret statistical reporting data; supervisory ability.

Eight (8) years of experience in a social service agency providing planning and development of legislative and/or regulatory programs.

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been a supervisory or consultative capacity with programmatic and administrative responsibilities.

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 field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

• Experience with communicating effectively to a wide variety of professionals and stakeholders.  
• Experience working in a fast-paced work environment requiring action and reaction to developing situations.  
• Experience utilizing Share Point and Microsoft Tools including project management tools to document and communicate project efforts, timelines and deliverables.   
• Experience analyzing statutes, regulations and laws.  
• Experience working in an executive office environment.  
• Experience researching and learning basics in-depth levels of complex programs and services.  
• Experience in writing for public information.  
• Experience researching, writing, editing news releases and statements.  
• Experience in news media relations.  
• Experience with HIPAA Privacy Regulations.

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.