Developmental Services Transition Advisor (37.5 Hour)

Are you seeking a fulfilling role where you can truly impact the lives of individuals with disabilities?

The State of Connecticut, Department of Developmental Services (DDS)– North Region – is currently accepting applications for a full-time, first shift Developmental Services Transition Advisor position in Individual and Family Support (Self-Determination/ Advocacy) located in East Hartford.

This position will provide consultation and assistance around the application of Self-Advocacy, Self-Determination, Self-Direction, Education, Value Based Decision Making, Employment, Person Centered Planning, Peer to Peer Supports, and Assistive Technology to individuals with developmental disabilities, their families and legal guardians, and DDS Qualified Provider agencies.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING: 

• Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library for additional support throughout the recruitment process. 
• If you require an accommodation to participate fully and fairly under the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact Edward Magnano, EEO Manager at (860) 418-6148 or Edward.Magnano@ct.gov.

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 Pamela Rochette at Pamela.Rochette@ct.gov. 

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

In the Department of Developmental Services this class is accountable for independently providing consultation and assistance to individuals with an intellectual disability, and their families and legal guardians, to understand the individual’s educational rights and opportunities and to plan, prepare and achieve a successful transition from secondary school to adult life and/or to plan, prepare for and achieve a successful transition into meaningful employment.

• Considerable knowledge of
  • relevant agency policies and procedures;
  • intellectual disabilities, individual-centered planning and Individual Education Plans and Individual Plans;
  • developmental, educational and employment milestones;
  • and ability to apply the principles of self-determination and the department's Employment Initiative;
• Knowledge of
  • relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
  • educational school systems, educational assessments and teaching practices;
  • businesses and community resources;
  • cultural competencies;
• Considerable
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communications skills;
• Ability to
  • counsel individuals and design and implement family interventions;
  • utilize computer software.

A Master's degree in education, educational counseling, social work, special education, vocational rehabilitation or a closely related field and one (1) year of the professional experience noted above may be substituted for the General Experience.

• Experience working with school systems, education assessments, Person -Centered Planning, LifeCourse Tools, and educational teaching practices.
• Experience with the application of best practice in educational and vocational planning for transition-aged individuals.
• Experience working with businesses, community resources, and community partners.
• Experience with State and Federal benefit programs.
• Experience with Peer to Peer Supports and mentor support models.
• Experience with disability rights, disability laws, voting and self-advocacy.
• Experience presenting at transition/informational events/conferences for various stakeholders (Youth, Families, Educational Professionals, etc.)
• Experience leading, advising, and mentoring Self-Advocates and Self-Advocacy groups on a variety of advocacy-based focus areas.
• Public Speaking and group facilitation for providers, staff, and partner agencies. (Large and small virtual and in-person presentations.)
• Experience with the application of diversity, inclusion, and cultural competencies as they relate to individuals, students, families, and providers.
• Experience with data collection, electronic notation and managed output through multiple databases/spreadsheets/platforms within quality information sources to measure progress and efficacy.
• Experience with Microsoft Office and products, including Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams, Publisher, and Video Editing Software.

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.

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.