STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Eligibility Services Specialist Generalist

Hybrid Schedule

Recruitment #230109-7168SH-001

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Introduction

Are you a current Department of Social Services (DSS) Eligibility Services Worker looking for your next opportunity with the State of Connecticut? 
If so, we invite you to read the criteria below and encourage you to detail your related experience on the application!
The State of Connecticut, the Department of Social Services (DSS) is currently accepting applications from qualified agency employees for multiple Eligibility Services Specialist (Generalist) positions. We are actively recruiting to fill vacancies in the Benefits and Eligibility Processing Units: Generalist, Regional Processing Unit and Temporary Family Assistance.

Comprehensive Benefit Offerings: 
  • Industry leading health benefits, including medical and dental coverage.
  • Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings.
  • Paid time off - including 13 paid holidays per calendar year.
  • Professional growth and paid professional development opportunities.
  • A healthy work-life balance to all employees.
The Role:
  • Job duties include, but are not limited to:
  • Provide eligibility services to clients of the department's various assistance programs and may provide a broad range of client services aimed at maintaining or achieving a client's full potential for self-direction, self-reliance, and independent living. 
  • Interview individuals to obtain information.
  • Determine and grant services and public assistance.
  • Research, verify and evaluate statements given by clients and other factors to ensure compliance with program eligibility requirements.
Position Highlights:
  • Full-time, 40 hours per week.
  • Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. 
  • Positions are available in Bridgeport, Danbury, Hartford, Manchester, Middletown, New Britain, New Haven, Norwich, Torrington, Stamford, Waterbury, and Windham (Willimantic).  
  • We are creating a pool that will be used to fill future vacancies in this job class. When applying for this position, please be sure to check off all locations you are interested in.

Selection Plan

These positions will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Applications to this recruitment will be used to meet collective bargaining requirements. Once any collective bargaining requirements have been met, all other applicants may be considered.

To Apply:
  • 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. 
  • Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience most closely meets the preferred qualifications, so please ensure that your application is complete and details your experience as outlined in this job posting. Please note: You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application into the JobAps system.
  • For assistance in applying, please visit our Applicant Tips on How to Apply page.
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
  • The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
  • Ensure that your application is complete and detailed before submitting it. In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process. You will not be able to make revisions once your application is submitted into the JobAps system.
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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
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. 
  • Follow the State of Connecticut on LinkedIn.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Social Services and the Department of Children and Families, this class is accountable for acting as a working supervisor and policy specialist in the provision of eligibility services to clients of the department's various assistance programs and may provide a broad range of client services and economic support aimed at maintaining or achieving a client's full potential for self-direction, self reliance and independent living.

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; provides technical and procedural support to staff; conducts or assists in conducting performance evaluations; acts as liaison with operating units, agencies and outside officials such as third party providers, social services agencies and attorneys regarding unit policies and procedures; makes recommendations on policies or standards; prepares reports and correspondence; acts as liaison with Eligibility Services 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; facilitates the resolution of systems and data problems; provides eligibility services and/or vocational services to clients assigned to individual caseload; conducts in-depth interviews with applicants experiencing difficulty in meeting program eligibility requirements; evaluates clients' financial needs and stabilizes economic situation by providing necessary assistance and services; periodically reviews eligibility to ensure correct benefits level; may be responsible for agency components of client Independence Plans; conducts comprehensive social services assessment to identify potential barriers to employability; provides necessary eligibility, employment and supportive services to reduce barriers and promote self sufficiency; may provide client orientation to agency programs and support services; monitors client progress with employability plan and takes appropriate actions including conciliation and/or sanctioning; may make presentations within agency and/or community; performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

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 available community support and social services resources; considerable knowledge of common individual and/or family financial practices and investments; considerable knowledge of Eligibility Management System; knowledge of counseling and interviewing techniques; knowledge of employment problems of economically disadvantaged and issues which are barriers to employment; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; interviewing skills; problem solving skills; training ability; ability to maintain client records and prepare reports; some supervisory ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Six (6) years of experience in the determination of client eligibility for public assistance.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been at the level of Eligibility Services Worker.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

1. College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equaling 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.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience in taking client complaints and resolving the issue;
  • Experience with triaging urgent matters;
  • Experience troubleshooting and navigating ImpaCT;
  • Experience in collaborating with others to resolve issues;
  • Experience with the ImpaCT and Access Health CT (AhCT) and other operational systems;
  • Experience with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Cash, medical and AhCT state administered programs;
  • Experience with Benefit Center, Service and Processing Center functionality;
  • Experience identifying problems, researching solutions, deciding, and verifying accuracy of decision;
  • Experience prioritizing work and meeting time sensitive deadlines;
  • Experience communicating in writing and verbally to diverse populations and skill levels.

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.





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