Labor Department Community Services Representative

Are you a self-starter? Do you want to utilize your skills and make a difference? If so, please read on to learn more about this exciting opportunity!  

We are currently recruiting for two Labor Department Community Services Representative positions with the Benefit Payment Control Unit.   

About Us:

The State of Connecticut, Department of Labor (DOL) is committed to protecting and promoting the interests of Connecticut workers. In order to accomplish this in an ever-changing environment, we assist workers and employers to become competitive in the global economy.  We take a comprehensive approach to meeting the needs of workers and employers, and the other agencies that serve them.  We ensure the supply of high-quality integrated services that serve the needs of our customers.  

The Benefit Payment Control Unit is responsible for the detection, prevention and recovery of unemployment compensation overpayments.  

You will discover the opportunity to:

• Engage in a rewarding career;
• Showcase your talents in a meaningful role;
• Thrive in an exciting environment;
• Provide support to a division that is passionate about the work we do;
• Make a difference in the public sector;
• Work together in a collaborative team environment.  

The Schedule:

• Monday – Friday
• Full Time, 40 hours
• 1st Shift
• Wethersfield, CT
• Telework is available, however, this position will require time in the office for training and as part of the regular duties.
• Please note: this position requires that you have access to Federal Tax Information (FTI). The IRS mandates that all personnel that have access to FTI be fingerprinted for purposes of performing both State and Federal background checks.  As such, you must successfully pass this background check to be considered for the position.

We hope you take this opportunity to continue your career with us and make an impact by serving your state!

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.   

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

In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.

Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening and must specify their qualifications on their application. The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified. 

Please note you will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system. Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position. 

The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.

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. 

Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account.   

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. 

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.

If you have any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Julie Barker at Julie.Barker@ct.gov.

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.

In the Department of Labor this class is accountable for providing client services in the areas of unemployment compensation, assessment of clients needs, placement of workers and employer services; in the Central Office this class is accountable for performing basic technical tasks in the following functional areas: claims examination, benefit payment control and merit rating.

• Audit unemployment compensation accounts.
• Detect and establish unemployment compensation overpayments.
• Answer inquiries from public via phone and email.
• Process reports. Identify, establish, and maintain wage garnishments.
• Generate correspondence related to overpayments.
• Process interstate recovery payments.
• Balance and reconcile payments received.    
• Also perform related duties as required.
• Additional information can be found here.  

Knowledge of Job Service, Unemployment Compensation and Employment and Training laws, regulations, policies and procedures; knowledge of interviewing techniques and principles; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; analytical skills; decision making ability; ability to establish cooperative relationships with staff, employers, diverse client population and the public; ability to use automated systems; ability to maintain good public relations; ability to understand, apply and explain relevant laws, regulations, policies, programs and procedures; ability to create and maintain case management records.

Five (5) years of technical level experience in counseling, employment placement, public contact work, human service programs, community action programs, Job Service, Unemployment Insurance or Employment and Training functions.

1. College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) hours equaling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.

2. For State employees, two (2) years of experience as a Social Services Trainee with the target class of Labor Department Community Services Representative may be substituted for the General Experience.

3. For State employees, two (2) years of experience as an Employment Security Intermittent Interviewer may be substituted for the General Experience.

• Experience working in a high volume/production environment.
• Experience drafting emails and utilizing calendar functions in Microsoft Outlook.
• Experience organizing and manipulating data in Microsoft Excel.
• Experience in customer service and interacting with people from various backgrounds.
• Experience in auditing or other applicable financial experience.
• Experience reviewing unemployment insurance claims.
• Experience in conflict resolution.

1. Incumbents in this class assigned to veterans program positions will be required to meet the qualifications set forth in Title 38, i.e. must be veterans, preferably disabled veterans, or other qualified, eligible persons. Any employee who bumps a Labor Department Community Service Representative in a veterans program position must meet the eligibility requirements under Title 38.

2. Incumbents in this class may be required to speak a foreign language.

3. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

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.