STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Regional Long Term Care Ombudsperson (40 Hour)

Hybrid

Recruitment #251125-6779FP-001

Introduction



Are you a current State of Connecticut employee looking to advance your career and make an impact?  If so, read below, and apply today!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Aging and Disability Services (ADS), invites eligible State of CT employees to apply for the position of Regional Long Term Care Ombudsperson.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

THE ROLE

This position will be accountable for providing advocacy services to represent the interests of and resolve problems for residents of long-term care facilities and serve as a focal point for advocacy related to long term services and supports and quality of care on behalf of individuals receiving long term services and supports.

DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO

  • Provide leadership on aging and disability issues statewide;
  • Provide and coordinate aging and disability programs and services in the areas of employment, education, independent living, accessibility and advocacy.
POSITION HIGHLIGHTS

  • Monday - Friday
  • Full-time (40 hours per week)
  • First shift (8:00 AM - 4:30 PM)
  • Unit: Long Term Care
  • Location: New Britain, CT
  • Hybrid work environment (telework and in office)
  • The Regional Long Term Care Ombudsperson will be required to travel to and provide coverage for the following locations: Avon, Bristol, Canaan, Farmington, Newington, Plantsville, Plymouth, Salisbury, Sharon, Torrington, and West Hartford.
ABOUT US 

The mission of ADS is: Maximizing opportunities for the independence and well-being of people with disabilities and older adults in Connecticut. We design our programs, policies, and practices to:

  • Deliver aging and disability services that meet the changing needs of Connecticut’s citizens.
  • Lead on aging and disability issues statewide.
  • Coordinate aging and disability programs and services. This includes employment, education, independent living, accessibility, and advocacy.
  • Advocate for the rights of Connecticut residents with disabilities and older adults.
  • Serve as a resource on aging and disability issues at the state level.

Selection Plan

In order to be considered for this job opening, you must be a current State of CT employee, who has worked for the state 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: 

Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources?  Visit our Applicant Toolkit for additional support throughout the recruitment process. 

BEFORE YOU APPLY: 

  • Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.  
  • Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting. 
  • Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency. 
  • Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift. 
  • Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State.  Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov
  • Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other. 
  • Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.

AFTER YOU APPLY: 

  • Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).   
  • Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression! 
  • Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.  
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.  
  • Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.

QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP: 

Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Frank DeCusati at frank.decusati@ct.gov.

Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Aging and Disability Services this class is accountable for providing advocacy services to represent the interests of and resolve problems for residents of long term care facilities and serve as a focal point for community advocacy on behalf of residents.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Provides regional advocacy services for residents of long term care facilities in accordance with policies established by agency and State Long Term Care Ombudsperson; 
  • Identifies, investigates and resolves complaints made by or on behalf of residents of long term care facilities; 
  • Advocates on behalf of long term care residents to resolve problems; 
  • Represents residents’ interests before governmental agencies and legislature in consultation with State Long Term Care Ombudsperson; 
  • Seeks administrative, legal and other remedies to protect residents’ interests; 
  • Analyzes, comments on, monitors and supports public participation in development and implementation of federal, state and local laws related to long term care services; 
  • Directs activities of regional volunteer resident advocate program; 
  • Recruits, trains, assigns and supervises volunteer staff; 
  • Speaks before groups regarding volunteer services and program goals and objectives; 
  • Prepares and conducts public education programs and in-service training program for resident care staff; 
  • Maintains relationships with agencies which can assist residents; 
  • Supports development of resident and family councils; 
  • Directs or performs collection, management and analysis of program data and information to identify trends in residents’ needs and issues where broader statewide program initiatives, advocacy or management are needed; 
  • Completes written evaluations of all cases; maintains records; 
  • Generates reports; 
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Knowledge of
    • the aging process; 
    • and ability to apply relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; 
    • problems of the aged and/or disabled residing in community and long term care facilities; 
    • community resources and agencies dealing with problems of the elderly and disabled; 
    • training methods and techniques; 
    • volunteer management theory; 
    • public relations principles and practices; 
  • Considerable
    • interpersonal skills; 
    • oral and written communication skills; 
  • Ability to
    • negotiate problem resolutions for clients and assist clients to speak for their own interests; 
    • recruit, select, train, supervise and support volunteers and evaluate staff and volunteer performance; 
    • coordinate activities of a regional program; 
    • identify trends in client needs through review of program data and identify issues where broader program initiatives and advocacy are needed; 
    • provide training and technical assistance; 
  • Supervisory ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Six (6) years of professional experience providing services to the elderly or persons with disabilities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been in the provision of advocacy services.

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 counseling, gerontology, nursing or social work may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience in community based long term services and supports for older adults and persons with disabilities
  • Experience in Person Centered Care Planning
  • Experience with Level of Care advocacy and Least Restrictive Environment
  • Experience with involuntary transfer and discharge advocacy
  • Experience with complaint investigation
  • Experience with skilled nursing facility Minimum Data Set compliance requirements
  • Experience working with skilled nursing home administration and complaint resolution

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Incumbents in this class are required to travel.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to some communicable and/or infectious diseases and disagreeable conditions while investigating complaints.

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.


Click on a link below to apply for this position:

Fill out the Supplemental Questionnaire and Application NOW using the Internet.