Secretary 2(Connecticut State Police Training Academy)

Introduction

The State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) is recruiting for a Secretary 2 to serve and support the Connecticut State Police Training Academy.

In this role, you'll contribute to a mission greater than yourself by supporting the training of current and future law enforcement professionals. We invite those who meet the minimum qualifications to apply!

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS

• LOCATION: Meriden, CT (an in-house cafeteria, and food and beverage options for purchase)
• SCHEDULE: Monday through Friday 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM

BENEFITS AND BALANCE AT THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT

What we can offer you:

• NEW: Visit our 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 - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule.
• Professional growth and development opportunities.
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees.

Our state has a lot to offer - from fun activities for all ages, to great food and shopping, to beautiful state parks and forests, to our diverse cultures and rich history. Connecticut is a great place to live! Learn more about Connecticut here.

YOUR ROLE

This essential role offers opportunities for growth and development through challenging tasks, allowing you to problem-solve and contribute in a positive work environment. In this role, you will:

• Collaborate with dedicated professionals and engage with outside agencies, fostering a dynamic and impactful career.
• Work within a supportive team culture.
• Enhance organizational efficiency in one of the most respected law enforcement institutions in the country.

Position specific duties include, but are not limited to:

• Manage scheduling and coordinate logistics
• Maintain records and documentation
• Handle Correspondence
• Support administrative operations
• Facilitate communication
• Ensure confidentiality
• Manage office operations
• Support compliance and audits
• Assist in disseminating training announcements, training bulletins, and training opportunities
• Draft and submit training transcripts
• Assist in the procurement of equipment and supplies to support operations

More details can be found in the class specification.

ABOUT OUR AGENCY

The DESPP is committed to protecting and improving the quality of life for all by providing a broad range of public safety services, training, regulatory guidance, and scientific services utilizing enforcement, prevention, education and state of the art science and technology. DESPP is structured on three key Strategic Pillars created by Commissioner Ronnell Higgins.

• Operational Efficiency, Efficacy and Excellence

• Making decisions through the thoughtful and informed use of data
• Challenging the "that's the way it's always been done" construct—i.e., thinking outside the box as to how we can improve
• Constantly seeking better results

2. Shared Fiscal Responsibility

• Recognizing our collective responsibility to steward the agency's resources
• Realigning planned budgetary actions to ensure that they are in taxpayers' interests
• Preparing together for potential budget stresses and fiscal challenges

3. Ethics and Accountability

• Critically and constantly measuring our practices against our policies
• Performing quarterly performance evaluations agency-wide to measure success and flag areas needing improvement
• Regularly engaging external partners for feedback and assessments
• Opening our doors to Connecticut students and workers for apprenticeships, internships, and career pathways

START WITH US. STAY WITH US. GROW WITH US.

Selection Plan

IMPORTANT NOTES FROM DESPP:

Candidate selected for an interview must provide the following at the time of interview:

State Employees:

• Two (2) most recent performance evaluations and a completed CT-HR-13 form.

Non-State Employees:

• Two (2) professional references contact information (Name, Email and Phone Number) and a completed CT-HR-13 form.

Candidates who have been selected for employment with the Department of Emergency Services & Public Protection are subject to a detailed background investigation, including a fingerprint supported state and federal criminal history record check along with reference checks. Selection for employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of the background investigation. Click here to complete the Criminal Convictions addendum.

Also considered in this selection process: Any pending or disciplinary history within the past 2 years and review of attendance records. Failure to provide the required documents listed above or submit your application accurately and on time, will eliminate you from the recruitment process.

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 by the closing date listed on the job posting.
• 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 Samantha Rivera at samantha.rivera@ct.gov

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 independently performing a full range of secretarial support functions requiring an understanding of organizational policies and procedures.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Performs a variety of secretarial duties as described in the following areas:

• TYPING:
  • Using computers, tablets, and other electronic equipment, formats and types a full range of correspondence, reports, bills, drafts, etc. from rough draft, transcription, dictated notes, etc.;
  • Proofreads for content;
  • Edits using knowledge of grammar, punctuation and spelling.
• FILING:
  • Designs office filing systems;
  • Organizes and maintains files (including confidential files);
  • Maintains, updates and reviews reference materials and manuals.
• CORRESPONDENCE:
  • Composes complex letters and/or memoranda, etc. (e.g., explaining department practices/policies) for own or supervisor's signature.
• REPORT WRITING:
  • Compiles information from a variety of sources and prepares narrative or statistical reports, exercising judgment in the selection of items to be included.
• INTERPERSONAL:
  • Greets and directs visitors;
  • Answers phones and screens incoming calls;
  • Provides advice to callers regarding policy and procedures (e.g., citing a regulation to solve a specific problem);
  • Coordinates with others both within and outside of the organization on a variety of non-routine matters.
• PROCESSING:
  • Screens letters, memos, reports and other materials to determine action required;
  • May make recommendations to the supervisor.
• SECRETARY:
  • Arranges and coordinates meetings (including space and equipment);
  • Researches, assembles and coordinates meeting materials (e.g., charts, graphs, reports);
  • Writes minutes of meetings, lectures, conferences, etc. from rough draft;
  • Takes notes and/or meeting minutes;
  • Prepares expense accounts;
  • Makes travel arrangements.
• OFFICE MANAGEMENT:
  • Maintains an inventory of supplies and equipment;
  • Orders supplies when necessary;
  • Completes, processes and maintains paperwork for purchasing (e.g., orders, requisitions, invoices, etc.);
  • Maintains time and attendance records;
  • Assists in preparing and monitoring the office budget (e.g., compiles figures, reviews statistical reports, verifies expense items);
  • Designs and initiates new forms and procedures to facilitate workflow;
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Considerable knowledge of
  • office systems and procedures;
  • proper grammar, punctuation and spelling;
• Knowledge of
  • business communications;
  • department's/unit's policies and procedures;
  • business math;
• Skills;
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to
  • schedule and prioritize office workflow;
  • operate office equipment which includes computers, tablets, and other electronic equipment;
  • operate office suite software;
  • take notes (shorthand, speedwriting or other method acceptable to the supervisor).

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Three (3) years of experience above the routine clerk level in office support or secretarial work.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been as a Secretary 1 or its equivalent.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

College training in the secretarial sciences 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 two (2) years.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience processing invoices
• Experience communicating information clearly through written and verbal communication in a professional setting
• Experience organizing, maintaining, and updating documentation in accordance with established procedures and standards.
• Experience utilizing Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, Teams, and Outlook
• Experience tracking petty cash, including accounting and processing
• Experience prioritizing tasks to ensure timely completion of assignments while meeting deadlines
• Experience maintaining confidentiality by securely managing and protecting sensitive information in compliance with organizational policies
• Experience working in a team environment including internal and external stakeholders

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.