STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Social Services Program Manager

Hybrid

Recruitment #240801-4580MP-002

Introduction



The State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services (DSS) is recruiting a Social Services Program Manager to join our Social Work Services Division located in Hartford, CT.

Position Highlights:
  • Full-time, 40 hours per week
  • First (1st) shift
  • Monday - Friday
  • 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  • Hartford, CT
About Us:
As a division of the Department of Social Services (DSS) the Social Work Services Division (SWSD) strives to support the mission of DSS to enhance the well-being of individuals, families, and communities.  In addition, SWSD seeks to ensure that all interventions with clients are person-centric, equitable and uphold the best practices of the social work profession.

SWSD provides supports to individuals and families through both direct casework activities and contract administration. Casework activities are primarily delivered to elders and persons with disabilities; however, children and families are also served.  Most casework activities are delivered in the community by Social Work staff from DSS Field Offices. These staff conduct home visits, assess client needs, investigate allegations of abuse, neglect, and exploitation, conduct service planning for persons in both the community and in nursing home settings.

What’s In It For You:
  • To work for a Forbes top company: ‘Forbes State of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023 - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule;
  • Professional growth and paid professional development opportunities.
  • A healthy work-life balance to all employees.
  • State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loan forgiveness after 10 years of service. Click here for more information.
We hope you take this opportunity to continue your career and make an impaCT!

Selection Plan

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. 

For Assistance in Applying:

Please read or watch our Applicant Tips on How to Apply!

Application Process:

This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules.

For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from branch to branch but it does not impact your state service credit.

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 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.

Read through this helpful link to prepare for your interview.

Contact Information:

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 the Departments of Aging and Disability Services, Social Services and Department of Children and Families, Revenue Enhancement Division this class is accountable for planning, organizing and directing a major program.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Directs staff and operations of a major program which provides social services through the management of district or area offices; 
  • Coordinates, plans and manages evaluation of a program or field reporting system;
  • Participates in program development and implementation; 
  • Develops policies and procedures which relate to program or field operation services; 
  • Analyzes federal and state statutes, programming documents, regulations, etc. to ensure appropriate policies and procedures;
  • Interacts with state, federal and community agencies on human services matters to ensure service delivery; 
  • Determines priorities and develops necessary plans to meet program objectives;
  • Prepares management surveys and reports; 
  • Coordinates activities of staff to meet program goals and project deadlines;
  • Provides technical assistance to field staff; 
  • Leads the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Considerable knowledge of
    • relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
    • principles and practices of social services programs;
    • principles of public administration; 
  • Knowledge of
    • and ability to apply management principles and practices;
    • community organizations and public assistance agencies; 
  • Considerable
    • interpersonal skills; 
    • oral and written communication skills;
  • Ability to analyze and
    • recommend solutions to complex problems; 
    • assess impact of legislation, regulations, etc. on programmatic goals.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Nine (9) years of professional experience in the social services field.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been in a supervisory or consultative capacity with programmatic and administrative responsibilities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

  • 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.
  • A Master's degree in human services or public administration may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience supervising staff providing case management services to older adults, individuals with disabilities; or persons experiencing crisis.
  • Experience assessing risk and safety to vulnerable adults.
  • Experience working in a rapidly changing environment, making critical decisions, and measuring decision effectiveness.
  • Experience listening and responding to staff, client, and stakeholder complaints.
  • Experience working under pressure and navigating tense situations while remaining professional.
  • Strong organizational, analytical, and professional skills with the ability to prioritize exercise independent judgement and apply analytical skills to address complex problems.
  • Strong Communication Skills across staffing levels (supervisees, direct service staff and managers).
  • Experience communicating with multiple stakeholders.

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.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes.  As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.