Social Services Liaison Officer(Office/On-site)

Introduction

Whiting Forensic Hospital, under the umbrella of the State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is seeking a Social Services Liaison Officer (PCN 136228) to join our team. This position is critical to meeting the needs of patients and their families in effecting timely discharges. Find out more information on this great opportunity below!

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:

• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday
• Work Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week
• Work Shift: First shift, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• Location: 70 O'Brien Drive, Middletown, CT

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.
• Professional growth and development opportunities.
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees.

This is a hazardous duty position.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING:

• Ensuring Medicaid and Social Security entitlements are active to pay for medications, services, and housing.
• Obtaining birth certificates, social security cards, bank statements, supporting documentation for Medicaid and Social Security applications, that allow patients to live outside the hospital.
• Applying for State and Federal entitlements.
• Meeting with clients in both Whiting/Dutcher buildings to apply for benefits.
• Communicating with Conservators, Representative Payees, Social Security Administration, and the Department of Social Services.
• Maintaining communication with Unit Social Workers and treatment teams.

MORE ABOUT THE AGENCY AND FACILITIES:

The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (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-sufficiency in those we serve.

Whiting Forensic Hospital provides high quality, comprehensive, and individualized treatment and evaluation services for patients with mental health conditions who are involved in the criminal justice system or are not yet ready to be safely treated in less restrictive settings. This is accomplished with full respect for the civil and human rights of each patient. Our goal is to assist individuals to manage their illnesses and achieve personal recovery goals through developing the skills necessary to live safely in the community.

Start with us! Stay with us! Grow with us!

Please note:

• A comprehensive medical examination, including a drug screening, will be required of all applicants upon a conditional offer of employment.
• All state employees must adhere to Connecticut's Policy for a Drug Free Workplace.

Selection Plan

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 Joseph K. Fried at Joseph.Fried@ct.gov.

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

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Social Services and the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, this class is accountable for dispensing program information to clients and the public which may include resolving complaints concerning departmental programs and policies.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES:

• Responds to complaints and questions from recipients, applicants and the general public and attempts to resolve problems which have gone beyond district office level;
• Researches and provides requested information to government officials, agency representatives, attorneys and others;
• Contacts staff and field program personnel to obtain information in order to make proper referrals of citizens;
• Verifies eligibility of recipients for providers of medical services;
• Assists in training new personnel of section;
• Oversees activities of section in absence of supervisor;
• Performs related duties as required.

DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION SERVICES:

• Interviews clients and obtains client information relating to the eligibility criteria of various programs;
• Identifies additional information and documentation which will be needed by social service agencies to determine eligibility for various benefits;
• Assists clients with applying for federal, state and municipal social service benefits by completing application forms and ensuring that required documentation is provided to meet eligibility requirements;
• Provides information on public assistance programs to clients, social services agencies, attorneys and the public;
• Enters case eligibility information into a database;
• Reviews eligibility re-determinations to ensure clients receive the correct benefits;
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Considerable knowledge of
  • social service programs, policies and procedures;
  • programmatic eligibility requirements;
  • available financial assistance and social services resources;
• Skills
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communication skills;
• Interviewing ability;
• Supervisory ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Five (5) years of experience in a social services agency involving direct client contact, investigative or eligibility determination activities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

• College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equaling one half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
• For state employees, two (2) years of experience as a Social Services Trainee with the target class of a Social Services Liaison Officer may be substituted for the General Experience.
• Successful completion of a Connecticut Careers Trainee program approved by the Department of Administrative Services may be substituted for the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience applying for Medicaid, Social Security Disability, and Supplemental Security Income on behalf of clients.
• Experience working in an inpatient psychiatric hospital.
• Experience working with a forensic population.
• Experience working in the adult mental health field.

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. 5-196of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group ofpositions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a singletitle for administrative purposes. Assuch, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/orresponsibility.