Lead Children Services Worker (40 Hour) Office/On-site Recruitment # 250929-1922FK-001 Location Middletown, CT Date Opened 10/1/2025 12:00:00 AM Salary $69,908 - $92,775/year Job Type Open to Agency Employees Close Date 10/9/2025 11:59:00 PM Go Back Apply View Benefits (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/jobs/?b=Benefits) + + + + Introduction Are you a current Department of Children and Families agency employee looking to take on a new role? If so, we encourage you to take this opportunity to apply for the Lead Children Services! The State of Connecticut (https://portal.ct.gov/) , Department of Children and Families (DCF (https://portal.ct.gov/DCF/Solnit-Center/North) ) – Albert J. Solnit Children’s Center – South Campus (https://portal.ct.gov/DCF/Solnit-Center/South) , is accepting applications for two (2) full-time 2nd shift Lead Children Services Worker (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/specs/classspecdisplay.asp?ClassNumber=1922FK&R1=&R3=) positions in Middletown, CT. Are you an ambitious individual looking to make a difference in the lives of youth experiencing emotional and behavioral difficulties? We have an exciting opportunity for a Lead Children Services Worker at Solnit Children's Center South Campus in Middletown, CT. As the only publicly operated psychiatric facility for youth in the state, we provide world-class mental health treatment services and care to hundreds of youth each year. Join our dedicated team and be a part of a compassionate and supportive environment that positively impacts the lives of youth individuals. Please Note: This posting is intended for both lateral transfer and promotional opportunity for 1199 bargaining unit members. Position Highlights: PCN 44722 + Location: Hospital – Manhasset Unit + Full-time | 2nd Shift | 40 Hours per week + Days Off Week 1: Friday, Tuesday + Days Off Week 2: Saturday, Sunday PCN 138758 + Location: Hospital – Passaic Unit + Full-time | 2nd Shift | 40 Hours per week + Days Off Week 1: Saturday, Sunday + Days Off Week 2: Friday, Tuesday In your role as a Lead Children Services Worker, you will have the opportunity to: + Lead and advise staff in care, custody and therapeutic treatment of patients in unit; + Provide for adequate coverage of unit and take necessary action in case of absences; + Provide for maintenance of therapeutic milieu by assuring patients; psychological and physical needs are met; + Assist in development of recreational activities and programs for patients; + Supervise recreational activities for patients; + Schedule unit for maintenance; + Participate in implementation of behavior modification programs in unit; + Work with caseworkers and/or social workers and other professional staff in making decisions through evaluation of patients’ progress and adjustment; + Attend meetings with unit staff and/or patients’ families in order to discuss behavioral problems and progress of patients in unit; + Write progress reports on patients; + Review and sign reports of significant happenings in unit; + Write monthly supply and weekly clothing inventory; + Check temperature of residents and dispense medication; + Perform related duties as required; What we can offer you: + View our State Employee Benefits Overview (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/jobs/?b=Benefits) page! + Professional growth and paid professional development opportunities. + A healthy work-life balance (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6n9M1Qd5fo) to all employees! + The State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service. Click here (https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service) for more information. DCF Mission Statement: Caring, healing and teaching -partnering with children, families and communities to build hope and create opportunities. We believe that: + Children and adolescents with serious emotional disorders can lead productive and satisfying lives. + Children, youth and their families have the right and responsibility to participate in their treatment. + No child will be refused treatment based on their ability to pay for services. + Our services work best when integrated with community care. About the Albert J. Solnit Children’s Center – South Campus: At the Albert J. Solnit Children’s Center, we treat our youth and each other with dignity and respect. It is in this relational, cultural and gender sensitive surrounding that our therapeutic milieu is based. Interdisciplinary teams develop, implement and continually assess individualized treatment plans. Solnit – South Campus is a state-administered Psychiatric facility for Connecticut’s children who are under the age of eighteen, located on a 67-acre campus overlooking the Connecticut River in Middletown, CT. The center provides comprehensive care to children and adolescents with severe mental illness and related behavior and emotional problems who cannot be safely assessed or treated in a less restrictive setting. The campus includes: Four coed hospital units, three female adolescent Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility cottages (PRTF), two schools, an indoor pool, playgrounds, ball field, two gyms, recreation rooms, and outdoor picnic area. Selection Plan In order to be considered for this job opening you must be a current State of CT employee of the agency listed above for at least six (6) months of full-time equivalent service, absent any applicable collective bargaining language, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application. 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. + 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 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 Rocky Young at Rocky.Young@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 childcare facility or program this class is accountable for the administration of a shift of one or more assigned areas of residential living or program activity and for leading staff responsible for the treatment and care of an assigned group of children and youth. EXAMPLES OF DUTIES + Leads and advises staff in care, custody and therapeutic treatment of patients in unit; + Provides for adequate coverage of unit and takes necessary action in case of absences; + Provides for maintenance of a therapeutic milieu by assuring patients’ psychological and physical needs are met; + Assists in development of recreational activities and programs for patients; + Supervises recreational activities for patients; + Schedules unit for maintenance; + Participates in implementation of behavior modification programs in unit; + Works with caseworkers and/or social workers and other professional staff in making decisions through evaluation of patients’ progress and adjustment; + Attends meetings with unit staff and/or patients’ families in order to discuss behavioral problems and progress of patients in unit; + Writes progress reports on patients; + Reviews and signs reports of significant happenings in unit; + Maintains monthly supply and weekly clothing inventory; + Checks temperatures of patients and dispenses medications; + Assists security personnel in apprehension and return of runaways; + Initiates contraband searches to ensure patients’ safety; + May perform emergency medical procedures; + Performs related duties as required. KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY + Considerable knowledge of + general procedures concerning routine functioning of institution; + problems of adolescents and influences of environment; + Knowledge of + security procedures regarding contraband and runaway searches, etc.; + disciplinary techniques and guidelines for use; + how to transport clients in a controlled and safe way; + fire safety procedures; + principles and practices of family therapy; + basic first aid techniques and materials; + Considerable interpersonal skills; + Ability to + assess situations and use good judgment; + lead staff; + efficiently organize time, manage work and coordinate programs. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE Two (2) years of experience as a Children Services Worker. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED + A Bachelor's degree in health, human services or mental health may be substituted for one (1) year of the General Experience. + Three (3) years of technical experience in the care of residents in an institution or facility for emotionally disturbed or delinquent children at the level of Children Services Worker including utilization of therapy techniques to achieve behavioral change. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS + Experience in hospital and residential treatment programs with adolescents. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS + Incumbents in this class may be required to be bilingual or fluent in American Sign Language. + Incumbents in this class may be required to travel. WORKING CONDITIONS Incumbents in this class may be required to lift or restrain residents and may have significant exposure to risk of injury from assaultive and/or abusive residents. 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