STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Lead Children Services Worker (40 Hour)

Office/On-site

Recruitment #230918-1922FK-003

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Introduction


Are you a current State of Connecticut, Department of Children (DCF) and Families employee looking for a leadership/supervisory opportunity? If so, check out this exciting opportunity to join our team at the Albert J. Solnit Children's Center!

At DCF, we are currently looking for multiple qualified individuals to join our team as Lead Children Services Workers, at the Solnit South Campus in Middletown. 

What We Have To Offer!
  • 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
  • Industry leading health benefits, including medical and dental coverage
  • Comprehensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings
  • Retirement healthcare offerings
  • Professional growth and development opportunities
  • Outstanding work-life balance
  • State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service.  Click here for more information
In this role, we would entrust you to lead the administration of a shift of one or more assigned areas of a residential living or program activity and for leading staff responsible for the treatment and care of an assigned group of children and youth. Along with other duties as needed, we will have you;
  • Lead and advise staff in the care, custody and therapeutic treatment of patients in the unit
  • Provide for adequate coverage of unit and take necessary actions in the case of absences
  • Provide for maintenance of a therapeutic milieu by assuring patients’ psychological and physical needs are met
  • Assist in the development of recreational activities and programs for patients
  • Works with caseworkers and/or social workers and other professional staff in making decisions through evaluation of patients progress and adjustment  
Position Highlights:
These are full-time, 40 hours/week, first or second shift positions, with schedules as follows:
  • Acaida Unit, PCN 138753; first (1st) shift, 7:00 am - 3:30 pm. Week 1 Friday and Tuesday off, week 2 Saturday and Sunday off 
  • Manhassett Unit, PCN 138756; second (2nd) shift, 2:45 pm - 11:15 pm. Week 1 Friday and Tuesday off, week 2 Saturday and Sunday off 
  • Sachem Unit, PCN 138757; second (2nd) shift, 2:45 pm - 11:15 pm. Week 1 Saturday and Sunday off, week 2 Friday and Monday off
  • Passaic Unit, PCN 138758; second (2nd) shift, 2:45 pm - 11:15 pm. Week 1 Saturday and Sunday off, week 2 Friday and Tuesday off 
  • Sachem Unit, PCN 114116; second (2nd) shift, 2:45 pm - 11:15 pm. Week 1 Friday and Wednesday off, week 2 Saturday and Sunday off
About Us
The Department of Children and Families' (DCF) mission is partnering with communities and empowering families to raise resilient children who thrive. We are proud of our diverse and dedicated workforce who strive every day to meet the needs of those we encounter.  

The Albert J. Solnit Children's Center is part of DCF, widely recognized as a center of excellence for family-centered treatment of children and youth with serious emotional disturbances. This state-administered Psychiatric hospital provides comprehensive care to children and adolescents under the age of eighteen, with severe mental illness and related behavioral and emotional problems who cannot be safely assessed or treated in a less restrictive setting. The South Campus consists of four co-ed hospital units and three female adolescent psychiatric residential treatment facility cottages (PRTF).  

Our 67-acre campus is centrally located in Middletown, Connecticut overlooking the Connecticut River. The Solnit Center facilities support our dedication to helping youth improve their individual and social competencies. The campus includes: two schools, an indoor pool, playgrounds, a ball field, two gyms, recreation rooms, seven program-specific residential units, and an outdoor picnic area.                 

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

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. 

Application Process:

This position 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.

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.

Contact Information:

If you require an accommodation to participate fully and fairly under the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact Tommy Wilson, DDS EEO 1 at (860) 418-6148 or Tommy.Wilson@ct.gov.

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 Ethan Ives at Ethan.Ives@ct.gov.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state childcare facility or program this class is accountable for the administration of a shift of one or more assigned areas of residential living or program activity and for leading staff responsible for the treatment and care of an assigned group of children and youth.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Leads and advises staff in care, custody and therapeutic treatment of patients in unit; 
  • Provides for adequate coverage of unit and takes necessary action in case of absences; 
  • Provides for maintenance of a therapeutic milieu by assuring patients’ psychological and physical needs are met; 
  • Assists in development of recreational activities and programs for patients; 
  • Supervises recreational activities for patients; 
  • Schedules unit for maintenance; 
  • Participates in implementation of behavior modification programs in unit; 
  • Works with caseworkers and/or social workers and other professional staff in making decisions through evaluation of patients’ progress and adjustment; 
  • Attends meetings with unit staff and/or residents’ families in order to discuss behavioral problems and progress of residents in unit; 
  • Writes progress reports on patients; 
  • Reviews and signs reports of significant happenings in unit; 
  • Maintains monthly supply and weekly clothing inventory; 
  • Checks temperatures; 
  • Initiates contraband searches to ensure residents’ safety; 
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Considerable knowledge of
    • general procedures concerning routine functioning of institution; 
    • problems of adolescents and influences of environment; 
  • Knowledge of
    • security procedures regarding contraband and runaway searches, etc.; 
    • disciplinary techniques and guidelines for use; 
    • how to transport clients in a controlled and safe way; 
    • fire safety procedures; 
    • principles and practices of family therapy; 
    • basic first aid techniques and materials; 
  • Considerable interpersonal skills; 
  • Ability to
    • assess situations and use good judgment; 
    • lead staff; 
    • efficiently organize time, manage work and coordinate programs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Two (2) years of experience as a Children Services Worker.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

  • A Bachelor's degree in health, human services or mental health may be substituted for one (1) year of the General Experience.
  • Three (3) years of technical experience in the care of residents in an institution or facility for emotionally disturbed or delinquent children at the level of Children Services Worker including utilization of therapy techniques to achieve behavioral change.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preference will be given to those who possess the following: 
  • Experience in hospital and residential treatment programs with adolescents

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Incumbents in this class may be required to be bilingual or fluent in American Sign Language.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be required to lift or restrain residents and may have significant exposure to risk of injury from assaultive and/or abusive residents.

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.




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