Children Services Consultant Recruitment # 250926-1927SH-001 Location Hartford, CT Date Opened 10/3/2025 12:00:00 AM Salary $82,845* - $105,214/year (*Employees new to state service start at the minimum) Job Type Open to the Public Close Date 10/10/2025 11:59:00 PM Go Back Apply View Benefits (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/jobs/?b=Benefits) + + + + Introduction The State of Connecticut (https://portal.ct.gov/) , Office of the Child Advocate (https://portal.ct.gov/oca) is currently hiring for a Children Services Consultant (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/specs/classspecdisplay.asp?ClassNumber=1927SH&R1=&R3=) in Hartford. 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. POSITION HIGHLIGHTS + 40 hours/week. + Monday - Friday. + First Shift, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. + Hybrid. + Location: 165 Capitol Avenue in Hartford. THE ROLE The ideal Children Services Consultant will have a demonstrated commitment to advocating for children. The successful candidate will report to an Assistant Child Advocate. Duties may include: + advocating for individual children in need of services; + data collection; + reviewing clinical, medical, and child welfare records investigating and reviewing policies and procedures for child serving entities; + other tasks that support the mission of the agency. ABOUT US The Office of the Child Advocate (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. Watch the video below to see what it's like to be a State of Connecticut employee! Selection Plan FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING: Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8sOb10qYXQ) ! 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 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 (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/jobs/?b=IT&preview=1) 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 (https://portal.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 Brittney Woodley at brittney.woodley@ct.gov. Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence! PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK) DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES + This class is accountable for providing consultation, coordination and delivery of specialized children services program activities. OFFICE OF THE CHILD ADVOCATE + This class is responsible for assisting the Child Advocate in securing and ensuring the legal, civil and special rights of children residing in the state of Connecticut. EXAMPLES OF DUTIES OFFICE OF THE CHILD ADVOCATE + Assists Child Advocate in securing and ensuring legal, civil and special rights of children residing in State of Connecticut; + Evaluates delivery of services to children by state agencies; + Reviews procedures of state agencies providing services to children with a view toward rights of children; + Investigates complaints regarding children receiving state services; + 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; + Performs related duties as required. (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/specs/classspecdisplay.asp?ClassNumber=1927SH&R1=&R3=) KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY + Considerable knowledge and understanding of case work principles, methods and techniques; + Considerable knowledge + of factors which influence attitudes and behavior of individuals and families; + departmental programs, policies and procedures; + Knowledge of + legal basis for departmental programs and requirements; + community resources and services they provide; + group process including group leadership skills; + Considerable + oral and written communication skills; + interpersonal skills; + Ability to understand and explain complex written materials. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE Eight (8) years of experience in work having as its primary responsibility the autonomous and self directed use of case management techniques and therapeutic counseling to sustain or restore client functioning. NOTE: + Qualifying experience at this level shall include: + use of professional interviewing techniques; + provision of skilled therapeutic counseling to an assigned client caseload; + assessment of basic client needs (nutritional, environmental, financial, medical, protective service, etc.) through continuing personal observation during home visits and intervention; + evaluation of social work interns. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED + College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) credit hours equaling six (6) months of employment to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree. + A Master's degree in counseling or psychology may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience for a total of five (5) years. + A Master's degree in social work or child welfare may be substituted for two (2) additional years of the General Experience for a total of six (6) years. + For state employees two (2) years of experience as a Social Worker-Social and Human Services with responsibility for a caseload focused on children and youth may be substituted for the entire General Experience. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS + Experience with the provision of skilled therapeutic counseling to children who have experienced trauma. + Experience assessing the quality of care and treatment to children in congregate care settings. + Experience interviewing children who have disabilities, mental health needs, behavioral health needs, and have experienced abuse or neglect. + Experience advocating for children who have disabilities, mental health needs, behavioral health needs, and have experienced abuse or neglect. + Experience analyzing policies, procedures, or protocols related to quality assurance. 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