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CT Careers Trainee (Social Services Investigator - Child Support)

Hybrid

Recruitment # 250520-1992SH-001

Location Bridgeport, CT Danbury, CT Hartford, CT Manchester, CT Middletown, CT New Britain, CT New Haven, CT Norwich, CT Stamford, CT Torrington, CT Waterbury, CT Windham, CT

Date Opened 5/22/2025 3:30:00 PM

Salary See below for more information

Job Type Open to the Public

Close Date 6/2/2025 11:59:00 PM

Go Back Apply View Benefits (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/jobs/?b=Benefits)

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+ Introduction

Are you looking for an entry level opportunity with the State of Connecticut (https://portal.ct.gov/) , Department of Social Services (DSS (https://www.connect.ct.gov/access/jsp/access/Home.jsp) )? Are you looking for an opportunity to make a difference and help enforce Child Support obligations? If this sounds like something you are interested in, then we invite you to read more!

At DSS, we are looking for multiple qualified applicants to join our team as a Connecticut Careers Trainee (CCT) (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/specs/classspecdisplay.asp?ClassNumber=1992SH&R1=&R3=) , with a target class of Social Services Investigator - Child Support (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/specs/classspecdisplay.asp?ClassNumber=5043SH&R1=&R3=) positions in Bridgeport, Danbury, Hartford, Manchester, Middletown, New Britain, New Haven, Norwich, Stamford, Torrington, Waterbury, Windham, Windsor, CT.

Position Highlights

+ Full-time | 1 Shift | Hybrid

+ Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

What We Can Offer You:

+ 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 Grads in 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.

+ P rofessional growth and development opportunitie s

+ A healthy wo rk/life balance to all employees

As a CT Careers Trainee (Target Class: Social Services Investigator-Child Support) you will receive on the job training to learn the skills necessary to become a Social Services Investigator-Child Support.

This includes but is not limited to:

+ Conducting interviews and gathering sensitive/confidential information

+ Gathering information and drafting complex correspondence

+ Learning any and all skills needed to be successful in your future role

+ Note: DSS provides customer service in a variety of ways, including answering calls and/or providing face-to-face assistance in our Resource Centers.

+ Communicating clearly and empathetically with clients and colleagues.

+ Being flexible and able to adhere to frequent instructions, directives and changes in assignments.

+ Being able to multi-task. Example: Using various computer applications and programs at once.

+ Reviewing submitted documents and processing cases in the department’s computer database system to make timely and accurate child support determinations.

+ Updating the DSS computer system with clear and concise case notes.

+ Responding to client concerns and complaints.

+ Preparing detailed summaries and acting as agency representative in Fair Hearings process.

+ Making appropriate referrals to community partners/agencies based on assessed needs.

+ Attending all mandatory meetings/trainings via Teams and in person.

+ Keeping up to date with program and policy changes through trainings and written communications.

Our Ideal Candidate Will

+ Have excellent verbal, written and interpersonal skills.

+ Have experience working with culturally diverse populations.

+ Have experience in conducting in-depth interviews.

+ Be able to work independently, as well as a part of a team.

+ Have strong research and analytical skills.

+ Be able to critically review work.

+ Be able to multitask, organize workflow and adapt to shifting priorities to meet challenging deadlines.

+ Be able to transition between answering calls, face-to-face services, and case processing as a part of an agile workforce.

+ Be able to navigate through multiple computer systems and software concurrently.

+ Be able to understand and apply federal and state guidelines and statutes.

+ Possess a high level of attention to detail and accuracy while working expeditiously in a fast-paced environment.

Salary Information

+ Eligibility for promotion to the target classification of Social Services Investigator-Child Support is earned upon successful completion of the training program.

+ Candidates with a Bachelor’s Degree will serve a one (1) year training program.

+ Candidates with a Master’s degree will serve a one (1) year training program.

+ Bachelor's degree and/or qualifying experience: SH 15 Step 1 - $52,349

+ Master's degree: SH 15 Step 2: $54,243

Department Overview:

At DSS, we deliver and fund a wide range of programs and services as Connecticut’s multi-faceted health and human services agency. DSS services about 1 million residents of all ages in all 169 Connecticut cities and towns. We support the basic needs of children, families, older and other adults, including persons with disabilities.

Look at the growth opportunities we can offer you:

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:

Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library (https://portal.ct.gov/das/home/services-for-state-employees/statewide-human-resources/applicant-reference-library?language=en\_US) 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 by the closing date listed on the job posting.

+ Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69 (https://www.cga.ct.gov/2021/act/pa/pdf/2021PA-00069-R00SB-00056-PA.pdf) , 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 [email protected].

+ 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 Ethan Ives at [email protected].

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

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency this class is accountable for mastering the skills necessary to satisfactorily complete the training program for a professional position.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

+ In a department or institution receives training in introductory governmental work for development of skills and knowledge in field of public administration in order to qualify for advancement into agency professional positions;

+ Performs a variety of increasingly difficult duties as skills are acquired during course of training period;

+ Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

+ Oral and written communication skills;

+ Ability to

+ acquire knowledge and skills required for the target classification;

+ understand, evaluate and solve problems by exercising judgement and logic;

+ read, interpret and understand written material;

+ perform basic arithmetical computations;

+ interpret charts, graphs and tables;

+ learn and reason;

+ establish and maintain cooperative relations with superiors, associates and general public;

+ utilize computer software.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates must be able to meet the experience and training requirements of the designated job class at the completion of the development program.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

+ A bachelor's or master's degree in human services or criminal justice

+ Experience with conducting interviews, gathering, and analyzing sensitive and confidential information that involves considerable phone, email, and/or in person contact while working in-office and remotely

+ Experience with caseload management in a public service environment

+ Experience with legal proceedings or course work in criminal justice

+ Experience with investigations and investigative techniques

+ Experience or course work in reviewing or assessing financial information

+ Experience or course work in mediation and problem resolution

+ Experience researching, gathering detailed data, and drafting complex correspondence and reports

+ Using Microsoft 365 programs such as Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel, Teams, etc.

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.

Click on a link below to apply for this position:

Fill out the Supplemental Questionnaire and Application NOW using the Internet. Apply Online