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Assistant Child Advocate

Recruitment # 250827-0957MP-001

Location Hartford, CT

Date Opened 8/29/2025 12:00:00 AM

Salary $91,254 - $124,422/year

Job Type Open to the Public

Close Date 9/29/2025 11:59:00 PM

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

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+ Introduction

The State of Connecticut, (https://portal.ct.gov/) Office of the Child Advocate (OCA), seeks a dedicated and committed individual for the position of

Assistant Child Advocate within the Office of Governmental Accountability.

The Office of the Child Advocate is a critical government oversight entity that must operate with a high degree of independence and integrity while continually navigating issues affecting children’s rights and well-being that are often politically sensitive.

The Role

The Assistant Child Advocate will focus their time reviewing, investigating, and responding to citizen complaints.

Additional duties include:

+ Providing assistance to families of children with complex needs through advocacy with agencies and providers

+ Supervising staff

+ Assisting with systemic investigations and reports

+ Performing related duties as required (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/specs/classspecdisplay.asp?ClassNumber=0957MP&R1=&R3=)

The website of the Office of the Child Advocate ( Office of the Child Advocate (https://portal.ct.gov/oca/common-elements/common-elements/about-us) ) provides additional information, including links to its enabling statute, fatality investigations, system and facility investigations, annual reports, and profiles of its current staff.

Position Details

+ Full-time, 40 hours/week

+ Monday-Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm

+ OCA is located at 165 Capitol Ave, Hartford

+ Hybrid work schedule

What We Can Offer You

+ Visit our State Employee Benefits Overview (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/jobs/?b=Benefits) page!

+ Professional growth and development opportunities.

+ A healthy work/life balance (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6n9M1Qd5fo) to all employees.

OCA Mission

The OCA is an independent state agency. Its mission is to ensure that publicly funded entities that serve children are accountable to the citizens and families of Connecticut, and effectively care for the most vulnerable children. OCA’s statutory responsibilities include investigating complaints regarding services provided to children, evaluating the delivery of services provided to children, advocating on behalf of children in Connecticut, reviewing the circumstances of unexpected or unexplained death of any child, taking all possible action necessary to secure the legal and civil rights of children, reviewing the needs of children in foster care, periodically reviewing facilities in which juveniles are placed, publishing biennially a comprehensive report regarding conditions of confinement for incarcerated youth, and publishing an annual report regarding the activities of the OCA.

RESPECT COMPASSION UNDERSTANDING COMMITMENT RESPONSIVENESS FLEXIBILITY (https://portal.ct.gov/oca/mission/mission/mission-vision-and-values)

Watch the video below to see what it's like to be a State of CT employee!

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 Sharon McIntosh, at [email protected].

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Office of the Child Advocate this class is accountable for managing and evaluating statewide programs to ensure the legal, civil and special rights of children who reside in the State of Connecticut.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

+ Manages staff and projects related to monitoring and evaluating state agencies and those entities that provide services to children through funds provided by the state;

+ Develops and implements prevention and/or advocacy strategies;

+ Reviews complaints, makes appropriate referrals, and investigates children or families who may need assistance from the Child Advocate or systemic issues in the State's provision of services to children;

+ Provides assistance to children or families on behalf of the best interests of the child or children;

+ Reviews the facilities and procedures of any and all institutions or residences, public or private, where a juvenile has been placed by any agency or department, including individuals under the age of 22 who are held in secure detention or correctional confinement in any facility operated by a state agency;

+ Conducts investigations and periodic reviews;

+ Develops monitoring and investigation plans based on best practices, law, regulations and/or federal and state accreditation standards;

+ Oversees preparation and maintenance of records, reports and correspondence;

+ Shares investigatory/review findings and recommendations with agencies and others as indicated;

+ Develops or assists in development of legislative testimony, regulatory, policy and/or practice initiatives;

+ Collects and analyzes programmatic data to ensure optimal tracking of trends and outcomes;

+ Prepares reports and correspondence;

+ Participates in activities to educate and inform the public of laws and services that affect children and families;

+ Acts as a liaison with local and national institutions and organizations;

+ Assists with evaluating staff;

+ Determines priorities and work assignments;

+ Participates in the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;

+ Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

+ Considerable knowledge of

+ relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;

+ child welfare systems;

+ mental health and behavioral health systems;

+ the education system;

+ Knowledge of

+ and ability to apply management principles and practices;

+ research methods and principles;

+ Considerable

+ interpersonal skills;

+ oral and written communication skills;

+ Ability to utilize computer software.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Eight (8) years of professional experience in the field of child welfare, children's protective services, foster services, adoption, mental health and/or education.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been in a consultative or supervisory capacity.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

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

+ A Master's degree in social work, public policy or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

NOTE: Closely related fields are child development, child welfare, psychology, counseling, criminal justice, human development and family relations, social and/or human services, marriage and family therapy, nursing, education and public administration.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

+ Experience with supervision of staff

+ Experience coordinating or monitoring provision of services by more than one state or local agency

+ Experience supervisin g the treatment planning process for children with significant needs (including child welfare, mental health, behavioral health, or developmental disability) served by state or local agencies

+ Experience developing and implementing a project or plan for systems serving children with significant needs (including child welfare, mental health, behavioral health, or developmental disability needs)

+ Experience in research and analysis on child well-being

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

+ Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license.

+ Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

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