Job Description

Do you thrive in a role that combines counseling, advocacy, and community outreach? Are you looking for the next step in your career? We invite you to apply for a position as a Social Services Program Assistance Supervisor, with the State of Connecticut, Department of Aging and Disability Services (ADS), Bureau of Education Services for the Blind (BESB), Adult Services Program.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:

Schedule: First Shift | Monday - Friday | 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Job Type: Full-time | 40 hours per week Location: 184 Windsor Ave, Windsor, CT

WHY JOIN US?

Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page! Work at a Forbes-recognized company! Connecticut is proud to be featured on both America's Best Employers by State and Best Employers for New Gradsin 2024. With our dynamic job market and commitment to fostering a thriving workforce, Connecticut stands out as a top destination for both seasoned professionals and fresh graduates seeking to launch their careers. Professional growth and development opportunities. A healthy work/life balance to all employees. Hybrid Schedule: Flexibility to work remotely and in-office.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING:

Supervising a team of social workers, rehabilitation teachers, technologists, and orientation and mobility teachers. Helping blind and visually impaired consumers remain independent in their homes and communities. Supporting staff in the Adult Services program who provide critical social work services, rehabilitation teaching, technology instruction, and orientation and mobility training for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Working with assistive technology and adaptive tools for the blind and visually impaired or other disabilities with a focus on developing individualized training programs for orientation, mobility, and daily living skills to enhance independence and accessibility. Managing, supervising, and evaluating staff performance, including scheduling, assigning, overseeing, and reviewing work to ensure quality service delivery. Training staff and implementing training programs tailored to service needs Establishing and maintaining program policies and procedures, setting priorities, and overseeing program planning to meet organizational and client needs. Working with state agencies and community partners to interpret and apply state and federal policies, laws, and regulations related to services for individuals with visual impairments. Collecting, analyzing, and compiling data for preparing comprehensive reports and correspondence for internal and external stakeholders. Managing grant-funded programs, ensuring compliance, reporting, and stakeholder engagement.

MORE ABOUT THE AGENCY AND FACILITIES:

The Mission of the Department of Aging and Disability Services is to maximize opportunities for the independence and well-being of people with disabilities and older adults in Connecticut. Our programs, policies and practices are designed to:

Deliver aging and disability services responsive to the needs of Connecticut citizens 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 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
The Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind (BESB) is the state's leading bureau for the coordination and provision of services to all Connecticut residents who are legally blind or have significant visual impairments. These services include training and devices that help people who are blind function in the home and in the community independently; teaching children how to adapt to and learn in an environment - in and outside of school - that is designed for those with sight and providing services that help people who are blind find work or keep their job after blindness has developed.

Start with us.

Stay with us.

Grow with us.

Selection Plan

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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:

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 Joseph K. Fried at Joseph.Fried@ct.gov.

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

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

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In the Departments of Aging and Disability Services and Social Services this class is accountable for supervising a large, complex program or group of programs to ensure effective implementation and adherence to program guidelines.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

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Schedules, assigns, oversees and reviews the work of staff; Provides staff training and assistance; Conducts performance evaluations; Determines priorities and plans program work; Establishes and maintains program procedures; Develops or makes recommendations on development of policies and standards; Acts as liaison with other operating units, agencies and outside officials regarding unit policies and procedures; Prepares reports and correspondence; Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

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Considerable knowledge of social services program assistance policies and practices including grants administration, monitoring, technical assistance, program development or evaluation; Knowledge of + relevant agency policies and procedures;
+ relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
+ accounting and budgeting principles and techniques;
Considerable + interpersonal skills;
+ oral and written communication skills;
Ability to + manage and administer a human resources program and ensure its effective operation;
+ recommend and implement program policies and procedures;
+ prepare comprehensive, technical reports on unit operations;
+ read, interpret and operationalize complex regulations and guidelines;
Supervisory ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

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Eight (8) years of experience in grants management, program development and monitoring, program planning or evaluation including providing information and technical assistance to local and regional governmental agencies.

NOTE: Program refers to a set of activities designed to provide needed resources to a community, consisting of planning, budgeting, grants administration, monitoring, technical assistance, evaluation and liaison activities, among others.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

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Department of Aging and Disability Services: One (1) year of the General Experience must include one (1) year of professional experience coordinating services for adults with significant vision loss. Department of Social Services: One (1) year of the General Experience must have been at the level of Social Services Program Assistance Specialist.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

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College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree. A Master's Degree in planning, public administration or other closely related area may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience. Department of Social Services: One (1) year of experience as a Social Services Program Assistance Specialist may be substituted for the General and Special Experience. Department of Aging and Disability Services: A Master's degree in Social Work, Rehabilitation or a closely related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the General Experience. Department of Aging and Disability Services: Three (3) years of combined experiences as a Social Worker, Rehabilitation Teacher, Orientation and Mobility Instructor or Rehabilitation Counselor may be substituted for the General and Special Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

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Experience working with the blind or visually impaired Experience scheduling, assigning, overseeing, and reviewing the work of staff Experience conducting staff performance evaluations and providing staff training Experience establishing and maintaining program procedures and determining priorities for planning program work Experience working with state agencies and/or community partners regarding the interpretation of state and federal policies and procedures Experience preparing and completing reports and correspondence

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

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Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.