Developmental Specialist 1 (40 Hour)

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

The State of Connecticut, Department of Developmental Services (DDS) – is recruiting for an experienced and qualified individual for the position of Developmental Specialist 1 to join our team!  

What we can offer:

• Leading Comprehensive Benefit Offerings:
• Industry leading health benefits, including medical and dental coverage; 
• Comprehensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings; 
• Paid time off; 
• Professional growth and development opportunities; 
• A healthy work life balance to all employees;    

You will discover the opportunity to:

• Engage is a rewarding career;
• Showcase your talents in a meaningful role;
• Thrive in an exciting fast paced 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.   

Position Highlights:

• Full Time
• 40 hours per week
• Monday – Friday
• 8:00am – 4:30pm
• Position located in Cheshire, CT
• However, must be flexible to meet the needs of the agency.  

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.  

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

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 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.

Should you have questions pertaining to 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.

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 behavior modification, data collection and analysis, educational/vocational assessment and placement and/or program development and evaluation under close supervision.

Under supervision, develops and implements behavioral programs and/or individual treatment plans and trains direct care staff in their implementation; observes individual behavior; collects individual behavioral and environmental data; consults with allied professionals, families, direct care staff and community liaison workers on treatment planning, therapies and/or individual cases; prepares case notes and progress notes; participates in behavior analysis and adjustment, milieu therapy, research, educational/vocational assessment and placement, rehabilitation, data collection and analysis, program development and evaluation, behavioral techniques and community outreach; selects and administers objective and projective psycho-diagnostic tests; interprets test results; assesses individual intellectual status through observation and if individual abilities accommodate, conduct interview; writes reports including profiles on intellectual functioning and personality organization; provides individual and group therapy and family counseling; participates in clinical and interdisciplinary case conferences and staff meetings; may provide consultation according to specialized expertise; may serve as a Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional; performs related duties as required.

Knowledge of general psychological theory and its application to treatment, rehabilitation and research programs; knowledge of statistics, data interpretation and experimental design; knowledge of diagnostic procedures and their use in developing treatment plans; considerable interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; ability to develop treatment plans; ability to conduct individual and group psychotherapy; ability to provide consultation and training services; ability to utilize computer software.

A Master's or Doctorate 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 one (1) year of experience in treating and/or working with the individuals in the appropriate specialty serviced by the agency.

• Work experience with children and adults with Intellectual Disabilities (ID) and autism spectrum disorders.  
• Clinical behavioral support experience with individuals with ID living with families in the community or in their own homes.  
• Experience working in inpatient or outpatient psychiatric settings.  
• Experience with biopsychosocial interviews, conducting mental status exams, motivational interviewing and assessing risk.  
• Experience writing behavioral guidelines and Positive Behavior Support Plans.  
• Experience with community mental health resources for individuals/families.  
• Experience with clinical assessment including but not limited to diagnostic criteria using DSM V.  
• Experience with problem solving and independently researching and finding solutions to complex situations.   
• Experience working collaboratively with other State Agencies and Programs including Beacon Health, DMHAS, hospitals and school districts.  
• Experience with Microsoft Outlook, Access, Word, Excel, Microsoft TEAMS, social media platforms and other data systems. 
• Experience traveling to various worksites.  
• Experience with scheduling flexibility to meet individual and family needs.

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.

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

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.