Introduction
Do you have experience in the delivery and/or planning of social services programs and/or policies? Are you looking for a chance to take a leadership role with the State of Connecticut? If this sounds like you, we invite you to read more and apply today!
Note: You must apply directly to this posting to be considered for the current vacancies and any immediate future vacancies.
Position Highlights:
- Full-time, 40 hours per week
- First (1st) shift
- Monday - Friday
- 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
This role will partner with other Social Services Operations Managers to help with strategic planning, process improvement and organizational change in aligning plans to support the Agency mission, vision, and values. Other duties include, but are not exclusive to:
- Managing a broad-based service delivery system, with a focus on customer experience
- Providing administrative coordination among multiple program benefits and services
- Coordinating plans and manage activity within assigned area so as to accomplish agency mission and goals
- Formulating program goals and objectives
- Using program data, incumbent will monitor and evaluate staff, programs and policies
- Coordinate and manage workforce to meet agency goals and customer service delivery
About Us:
The State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services (DSS), has a mission that we, along with our partners, provide person-centered programs and services to enhance the well-being of individuals, families and communities.
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.
Please note that DSS takes part in the E-Verify system, which is a web-based system that allows enrolled employers to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States.
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.
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.
- 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:
- Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates—such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links—please check your Personal Status Board regularly. For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select “Update My Contact Information.”
- 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 at Christopher.Lavallee@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 Social Services this class is accountable for directing a broad based client service delivery system within a designated regional operation or the central processing operation.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
- Directs staff and operations of a client service delivery system in either a designated regional operation or the central processing operation;
- Coordinates, plans and manages multiple program benefits and services within assigned area consisting of numerous departmental social services programs available to communities and individuals;
- Formulates program goals and objectives;
- Develops and implements social service programs and/or policies and operational procedures;
- Interprets and administers pertinent laws and regulations;
- Evaluates staff;
- Assists in the development and/or administration of a regional budget or statewide program budget;
- Maintains contact with individuals within and outside region who might impact on program activities;
- Participates in program design;
- Identifies staffing and staff development needs and determines appropriate development plans;
- Coordinates compilation, evaluation and analysis of program data;
- Monitors, analyzes and evaluates programs, policies and grantee performance to determine effectiveness and quality of service;
- Advises superiors of potential impact of proposed legislative policy changes and recommends an appropriate agency position;
- Participates on external and internal committees and task forces;
- Administers provisions of collective bargaining agreements and works to resolve labor issues;
- Handles sensitive or high profile client issues;
- Investigates client complaints brought forth by legislators and advocates and determines appropriate resolution;
- Provides support to facility management activities;
- In a designated regional operation ensures provision of social services through administration of grants and contracts;
- Leads the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
- May engage in public speaking activities;
- Performs related duties as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY
- Considerable knowledge of
- social services programs and social services administration;
- relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
- Knowledge of
- and ability to apply management principles and practices;
- community organizations and social services agencies;
- grants administration;
- personnel policies and applicable collective bargaining agreements;
- Considerable
- interpersonal skills;
- oral and written communication skills;
- Considerable ability to interpret complex written material (including legal narratives, laws and program regulations) and assess impact on programmatic goals.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE
Nine (9) years of professional experience in the delivery and/or planning of social services programs and/or policies.
NOTE: Social services programs are a range of public services provided by or funded by federal, state or local government organizations to assist the disabled, disadvantaged or elderly. Some examples of social services programs are
- temporary financial assistance programs
- healthcare assistance programs e.g., Medicaid, Medicare, Husky
- housing and energy assistance programs
- nutritional assistance programs e.g., SNAP
- child or adult care assistance programs
- social security income (SSI)
- child support
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.
NOTE: For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of a:
- Eligibility Services Supervisor
- Social Services Investigations Supervisor
- Social Work Supervisor
- Quality Control Supervisor
- Social Services Program Assistance Specialist
- Public Assistance Consultant
- Lead Planning Analyst
- Fair Hearings Officer
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 a related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience developing and implementing social service programs, policies and operational procedures.
- Experience participating in program design.
- Experience evaluating services provided, identifying staff development needs and determining appropriate plans to improve performance and efficiency.
- Experience implementing and tracking initiatives related to customer experience.
- Experience utilizing all aspects of Microsoft 365 (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel, Teams, etc.).
- Experience in analyzing data, compiling, and writing reports.
- Experience in conflict resolution and personnel matters.
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.