STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Pupil Services Specialist (12 Month) (35 Hour)

Office/On-site

Recruitment #231115-6659T4-001

Introduction


Are you interested in a career where you can provide service to other, be creative and have a feeling of accomplishment?  If so, please read on to learn more about this exciting opportunity!  

The State of Connecticut, Department of Children and Families (DCF) is recruiting for a talented and motivated candidates to join us as a Pupil Services Specialist

DCF Education Services, Unified School District #2 (USD #2) recognizes that each child is an individual; that all children are creative; that all children need to succeed. Therefore, USD #2 respects the individual needs of children; fosters a caring and creative environment; and emphasizes the social, emotional, physical, intellectual development of each child.

Albert J. Solnit Children’s Centers are a state-administered Psychiatric facility for Connecticut’s children who are under the age of eighteen. Located in East Windsor, North Campus is a male adolescent psychiatric residential treatment facility cottage (PRTF).

The Solnit Centers provide comprehensive care to children and adolescents with severe mental illness and related behavioral and emotional problems who cannot be safely assessed or treated in a less restrictive setting.  

What we can offer you:
  • To work for a Forbes top company: 'Forbes' State of Connecticut Ranked - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule.
  • NEW: A Platinum Healthcare Plan, the nation’s best for state employees and dependents, according to a report by Georgetown’s Center on Health Insurance Reform and article by Ellen Andrews, Ph.D., along with comprehensive benefit offerings.
  • State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service.  Click here for more information.
  • Industry leading health benefits, including medical and dental coverage.
  • Option to maintain State of CT Teacher Retirement Plan or enroll in the State Employee Retirement System. 
  • Paid time off - Five (5) weeks of scheduled vacation time and sick and personal leave accrual.
  • Professional growth and paid professional development opportunities.
  • A balanced work-life.
The Department is seeking a candidate who possess:  
  • Experience working with students in a hospital setting.
  • Understanding the different types of learning styles of students and provide appropriate class schedule to meet their needs.
  • Able to work with a variety of different disciplines throughout the day.
  • Must have a working knowledge of classroom routines and discipline.
  • Outstanding personal and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Ability to multitask to a high degree of success.
  • Ability to communicate with students Local Education Agency.
  • Ability to input student schedules into Power School.
  • Familiar with the new CT Special Education Data Systems (SEDS) Indivisualized Education Progrom (IEP) Platform.
  • Familiar with IEP Direct Platform.
Position Highlights:
  • Full Time (35 hours per week)
  • 12 Month
  • Monday – Friday
  • 1st Shift
We hope you take this opportunity to continue your career with us and make an impact by serving your state!

Selection Plan

  • The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified. 
  • 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.  
  • In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application 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.  
  • 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.  
  • Please visit our Applicant Tips on How to Apply page. 
  • Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Liz Pinette at elizabeth.pinette@ct.gov.
  • This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. 
  • 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. 

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state institution, facility or region within a state unified school district, performs professional services within the area of pupil personnel and special education services in a school setting and serves in a resource capacity and consultant to teachers.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Performs services for students in the area of special training such as educational diagnosis, counseling, speech and hearing, social work, or psychological services; serves in a resource capacity to educational staff and other appropriate individuals; confers with parents and teachers concerning individual students and assists in planning educational programs; keeps records and makes necessary reports; may serve as liaison with school systems and community services; performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Knowledge of the philosophy and methods of service delivery to the assigned disciplines; knowledge of the principles and practices of education and or services for special needs population; ability to motivate students; ability to communicate at the appropriate level; ability to establish cooperative relationships with those contacted in planning educational programs; ability to prepare written reports; ability to perform educational testing.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

A Master's degree which includes a planned program of preparation for the field in which the special services are performed.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience in Special Education services and laws.
  • Experience in alternative education settings.
  • Experience with 6-12 Educational Assessments (psychological and academic), e.g., Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement 3rd edition (KTEA3), Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children 4 (WISC 4), Behavior Rating Scales.
  • Must possess Special Education 165 Certification.
  • Experience with Chairing Planning Placement Teams (PPT’s).

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Incumbents in this class must possess an appropriate certificate issued by the Connecticut State Board of Education in special education or special services areas such as school counselor (elementary or secondary), speech and hearing consultant, school psychologist, psychological examiner or school social worker.
2. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a current Connecticut Motor Vehicle operator's license.

CHARACTER REQUIREMENTS

In addition to the checking of references and of facts stated in the application, a thorough background investigation of each candidate may be made prior to appointment.

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.