Human Services Advocate

Office/On-Site

Recruitment # 240618-1419SH-001

Location Middletown, CT

Date Opened 6/24/2024 12:00:00 AM

Salary $71,953 - $91,755/year Salary effective 6/28/2024 (New State employees start at the minimum)

Job Type Open to the Public

Close Date 7/1/2024 11:59:00 PM

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

• Introduction

Do you want to utilize your skills and make a difference? Are you looking to take the next step in your career? If so, please read on to learn more about this exciting opportunity!

The State of Connecticu t (https://portal.ct.gov/) , Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services ( DMHAS (https://portal.ct.gov/DMHAS/About-DMHAS/Agency/About-DMHAS) ) is currently seeking a qualified and experienced individual for the position of Human Services Advocate (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/specs/classspecdisplay.asp?ClassNumber=1419SH&R1=&R3=) .

Position Highlights:

• FACILITY: Whiting Forensic Hospital (WFH (https://portal.ct.gov/DMHAS/WFH/Whiting-Forensic-Hospital) )

• LOCATION: Middletown , CT

• SCHEDULE: Full - time (40 hours), Sunday - Thursday 8:30am - 5:00pm

• POSITION NUMBER: 136226

• Please note: This is NOT a Hazardous Duty position.

  What We Can Offer You:

• Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page!

• The opportunity to work for a Forbes top company: 'Forbes' State of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023 (https://portal.ct.gov/DAS/Press-Room/Press-Releases/2023/Forbes-State-of-CT-Ranked) - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule.

• Professional growth and development opportunitie s.

• A healthy work/life balance to all employees.

  Discover The Opportunity To:

• Engage in a rewarding career;

• Showcase your talents in a meaningful role;

• Thrive in an exciting environment;

• Provide support to a division that is passionate about the work we do.

  The Role:

  Job duties include, but are not limited to:

• Assists in administration of an individual rights program with respect to civil, legal and human rights, right to treatment, confidentiality, and other unique rights as specified by state and federal legislation;

• Provides advocacy services, determines available courses of action, and develops advocacy strategies with individuals, families and/or groups;

• Investigates and evaluates complaints and allegations of abuse and/or misrepresentation of authorized individual services;

• Implements advocacy strategies through informal and/or formal actions such as meeting with legal and/or agency representatives to ensure provision of proper services;

• Consults with professionals of various disciplines such as attorneys, physicians, educators, and others to identify options and barriers to individual rights.

  About Us:

  DMHAS is a health care agency whose mission is to promote the overall health and wellness of persons with behavioral health needs through an integrated network of holistic, comprehensive, effective, and efficient services and supports that foster dignity, respect, and self-s ufficiency in those we serve.

  Whiting Forensic Hospital specialized in providing inpatient services to individuals involved in the criminal justice system. The hospital consists of 91 maximum security beds and 138 enhanced security beds. Services are provided to individuals who are admitted under the following categories: Psychiatric Security Review Board commitment, Criminal court order for restoration of competency to stand trial, Civil commitment (voluntary or involuntary) and Transfer from the Department of Correction (during period of incarceration or at end of sentence). Discharge options are dependent on legal status and the purpose of admission.

  Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:

Please read (https://www.jobapscloud.com/ct/sup/ApplicantTips2021Nov.pdf) or watch (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8sOb10qYXQ) our Applicant Tips on How to Apply!

To Apply:

• In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.

• You must specify your qualifications on your application. You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system.

• In order to comply with Public Act 21-69 (https://www.cga.ct.gov/2021/act/Pa/pdf/2021PA-00069-R00SB-00056-PA.PDF) , the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.

• 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.

• This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules.

  Important Next Step Information for After You Apply:

• Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.

• This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.

• Note: At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.

• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.

• Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.

• Read through this helpful link to prepare for your interview .

• C andidates 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 which is available at www.ct.gov/ethics (https://portal.ct.gov/ethics) .

• 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.

  Connect With Us:

• Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process.

• Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment please contact Julie Barker via email at Julie.Barker@ct.gov .

  PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

  In the Departments of Aging and Disability Services, Developmental Services, Mental Health and Addiction Services, and Office of the Child Advocate, this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks in providing advocacy services to ensure the preservation of individual rights.

  EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Assists in administration of an individual rights program with respect to civil, legal and human rights, right to treatment, confidentiality, and other unique rights as specified by state and federal legislation;

• Provides advocacy services, determines available courses of action, and develops advocacy strategies with individuals, families and/or groups;

• Investigates and evaluates complaints and allegations of abuse and/or misrepresentation of authorized individual services;

• Implements advocacy strategies through informal and/or formal actions such as meeting with legal and/or agency representatives to ensure provision of proper services;

• Consults with professionals of various disciplines such as attorneys, physicians, educators, and others to identify options and barriers to individual rights;

• Develops and interprets policies regarding individual rights;

• Assists in researching and interpreting laws pertaining to individual rights;

• Maintains confidential individual files documenting advocacy services provided and prepares reports summarizing case activities;

• Prepares correspondence and reports;

• Assists in orientation of new employees with regard to agency individual rights program;

• May investigate accident and injury reports to determine cause;

• May conduct studies to assess quality of care;

• May conduct in-service training sessions on individual rights;

• May provide technical assistance and training to field staff;

• May participate on task forces and coalitions formed to effect system changes;

• May meet with legislators, agency officials, and members of various interest groups on individual rights;

• May participate in agency task groups to develop policies, positions and reports;

• May make public presentations;

• Performs related duties as required.

  AGING AND DISABILITY SERVICES:

• Provides quality assurance through site visits and monitoring of vendor reporting to ensure compliance with terms and conditions of individual programs.

  OFFICE OF THE CHILD ADVOCATE:

• Evaluates delivery of services to children by state agencies;

• Reviews procedures of state agencies providing services to children;

• Visits residential facilities to review procedures, assure safety and assess facilities;

• May recommend changes in state policies concerning children including changes in system of providing juvenile justice, child care, foster care, and treatment.

  KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Knowledge of

• problems and needs of individuals in one of the following areas: blindness or visual impairments; children; disabilities; intellectual disabilities; psychiatric disabilities;

• advocacy process;

• relevant state and federal laws, statutes, and regulations;

• relevant agency policies and procedures;

• community resources and service delivery systems;

• Skills

• interpersonal skills;

• oral and written communication skills;

• interviewing skills;

• negotiating skills;

• Ability to

• identify, investigate, and analyze problems and recommend effective solutions;

• research and organize information;

• understand and explain complex written materials.

  MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

  Six (6) years of professional experience in a public or private agency or organization providing services to individuals with disabilities or to children.

  MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been in the provision of advocacy or direct services to individuals with disabilities or to children.

NOTE: Advocacy services are defined as speaking and working on behalf of a position, cause, or individual to further interests and ensure the preservation of rights.

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) years for a Bachelor's degree.

• Successful completion of a Connecticut Careers Trainee program approved by the Department of Administrative Services may be substituted for the General Experience and Special Experience.

  PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience utilizing Microsoft Word to send professional written correspondence, and Microsoft Excel to enter data.

• Experience working in a behavioral health congregate care setting with adults.

• Experience working with individuals involved in the criminal justice system.

• Experience managing complaints or grievances.

• Experience investigating and resolving complaints within a behavioral health setting with adults.

  SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  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.

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