Children Services Worker (Office/On-site)

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:

In a state childcare facility or program this class is accountable for performing a full range of basic counseling and custodial activities for residents.

• Counsels and advises residents individually on such matters as purpose of institutionalization, problems, progress in unit and placement plans;
• Participates in maintaining a therapeutic milieu by meeting psychological and physical needs of residents;
• Oversees daily living activities to ensure proper care of residents;
• Teaches residents in unit self-support skills such as basic money management, daily living habits, hygiene, etc.;
• Dispenses rewards to residents as a result of behavior;
• Oversees recreational activities for residents;
• Writes reports of significant events in unit such as runaways and accidents;
• Checks temperatures of residents and dispenses selected medications;
• Records daily activities in log book; escorts residents to destinations on and off grounds, to and from meals, class, infirmary, court, placements, etc;
• Disciplines children who are acting out and follows up with appropriate action;
• Attends staff meetings and training sessions to improve treatment and therapy skills;
• Performs related duties as required.

• Knowledge of
  • human behavior and emotions;
  • behaviors characteristic of clients with emotional and/or behavioral disorders;
  • proper procedures in threatening or emergency situations;
• Considerable interpersonal skills;
• Ability to
  • foster self-worth and self-identity in clients;
  • counsel and motivate clients in coping with problems and setting achievable goals;
  • use good judgment and assess situations.

Two (2) years of paraprofessional experience in an applied treatment program for emotionally disturbed, delinquent, behaviorally disordered, educationally deficient or intellectually disabled children or youth.

• An Associate's degree in the health, human services or mental health areas may be substituted for the General Experience.
  
• Thirty (30) college credits in a course of study leading to a Bachelor's degree in the behavioral sciences may be substituted for one (1) year of the General Experience.

• Experience working in congregate care treatment programs
• Experience working in a psychiatric/behavioral health, medical or hospital setting
• Experience working as a member of an interdisciplinary treatment team
• Experience with documenting signicant events, critical incidents, and/or interventions
• Experience with escorting residents to destinations on and off grounds
• Experience advocating and teaching self-support skills to youth, reinforcing positive behaviors, and/or applying therapeutic interventions.

• Incumbents in this class may be required to be bilingual or fluent in American Sign Language.
  
• Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and maintain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license.
  
• Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

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.