STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Developmental Specialist 2 (40 Hour)

Hybrid

Recruitment #230127-7164FP-001

Introduction


The State of Connecticut, Department of Developmental Services (DDS) - Public Division - has a full-time (40 hours per week) 1st shift job opportunity for a Developmental Specialist 2 position, located in Newington, CT.  This position is an assignment with Public's Specialized Programs.

State of Connecticut employees participate in a competitive benefits plan that includes: 
  • Excellent health and dental coverage; 
  • A generous retirement plan; 
  • Paid time off; 
  • A healthy work/life balance!
The Schedule:
  • Full-time
  • 40 hours per week
  • Monday - Friday
  • 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 
  • Must be flexible to meet the needs of the agency 
Discover the opportunity to: 
  • Engage in a rewarding career; 
  • Assist our employees so they can achieve success; 
  • Make a difference in the public sector, and 
  • Work together in a collaborative team environment.  
About the State of Connecticut: 
Living in Connecticut allows you to live with mountains, forests, ocean fronts, rivers, and a wonderful green countryside right at your doorstep. The state has charm, elegance, and a high standard of living. Our school systems offer an outstanding education, and our communities are among the safest in the country. Connecticut experiences all four seasons and gives you the option to choose living in sophisticated country-life or living in the center of a lively city. 

We encourage you to come see all that Connecticut has to offer by joining the DDS team!

Selection Plan

Application Process:

This position 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.

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.

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

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.

Please ensure that your application is complete. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the state of Connecticut.

Selection Process:

This position may be subject to Federal requirements for COVID 19 Vaccination Immunization.

This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs) which will be sent to you via email after the closing date. The email notification will include an expiration date by which you must submit (Finish) your responses. Please regularly check your email for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders, as emails could end up there in error.

During the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation supporting their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: performance reviews, supervisory references, college transcripts, licensure, etc. at the discretion of the agency.

Contact Information:

If you require an accommodation to participate fully and fairly under the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact Jennifer Borenski, EEO Specialist 2 at (860) 418-6143 or Jennifer.Borenski@ct.gov.

Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. 

Should you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Christopher Lavallee at Christopher.Lavallee@ct.gov.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state health care facility, community based health care program or correctional facility this class is accountable for conducting evaluations and therapy and providing services involving psychodiagnosis, psychotherapy, behavior modification, data collection and analysis, educational/vocational assessment and placement, rehabilitation and/or program development and evaluation under general supervision.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Under supervision, develops, implements, monitors and revises behavioral support plans; trains staff in the implementation of behavioral plans and the collection of data; selects and administers objective and projective psychodiagnostic tests; analyzes and interprets test results; assesses client mental status through observation and if client abilities accommodate, interview; writes reports including profiles on intellectual functioning and personality organization; conducts individual and group psychotherapy, crisis intervention, group therapy and family therapy; provides services involving behavior modification, milieu therapy, data collection and analysis, educational/vocational assessment and placement, rehabilitation, program development and evaluation, behavioral techniques, individual treatment recommendations and research; provides consultation to allied professionals, families, clients, direct care staff and community agencies; participates in clinical and interdisciplinary conferences and staff meetings; prepares case notes and reports; works closely with consulting psychiatrist to monitor efficacy of psychotropic medication(s); may provide consultation according to specialized expertise; may write grant proposals and renewals; may conduct Restrictive Procedures Audits; may serve as Chairperson of Program Review Committee; may serve as a Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional; performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of general psychological theory and its application to treatment, rehabilitation and research programs; knowledge of relevant agency policies and procedures; knowledge of statistics and experimental design; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; considerable ability to select, score and interpret objective and projective psychological tests; considerable ability to develop treatment plans; ability to assess behavior and develop behavioral treatment strategies; ability to conduct individual and group psychotherapy; ability to provide consultation and training services; ability to utilize computer software; supervisory ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

A Master's degree in psychology, educational psychology, rehabilitative psychology, community psychology, experimental psychology or other related degree from a program accredited by a regional educational board AND three (3) years of experience in conducting psychological testing, assessment and evaluation including one (1) year in treating and/or working with clients in the appropriate specialty serviced by the agency.
Note: For state employees, the experience component is interpreted at the level of Developmental Specialist 1.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

A Doctorate degree in community psychology, educational psychology, experimental psychology, psychology, rehabilitative psychology or other related degree from a program accredited by a regional educational board AND two (2) years of experience in treating and/or working with clients in the appropriate specialty serviced by the agency may be substituted for the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience working with individuals with intellectual disabilities and comorbid psychiatric diagnoses.
  • Clinical experience conducting comprehensive functional assessments and developing positive behavioral support plans and/or providing Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA).
  • Experience training staff and monitoring fidelity in the implementation of behavioral support plans.
  • Experience studying the effects of psychiatric and medical comorbidities, as well as the impact medical issues may have on behavioral presentation.
  • Experience studying the effects of trauma, its impact on behavior and the application of trauma-sensitive treatment.
  • Experience applying crisis intervention skills.
  • Experience and skill working collaboratively within interdisciplinary teams.
  • Experience in the administration, scoring and interpretation of cognitive, adaptive and/or ASD-specific assessments.
  • Professional licensure (e.g., Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) or in the process of becoming certified).

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.
2. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be required to lift and restrain clients; may have some exposure to communicable/infectious diseases and to risk of injury from clients.

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.