Fair Hearings Officer (Hybrid)

Introduction

\r\n\r\nAre you a current Department of Social Services (DSS) employee seeking your next opportunity? If this sounds like you, we encourage you to check out this exciting opportunity to join our team!\r\nThe State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services (DSS) is recruiting a Fair Hearings Officer to work in our Hartford office located at 55 Farmington Avenue, Hartford CT 06105.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPOSITION HIGHLIGHTS\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n LOCATION: 55 Farmington Avenue, Hartford CT 06105\r\n SHIFT:��First, full time | Hybrid�\r\n SCHEDULE: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, this is a hybrid position and the candidate is eligible to apply for telework in accordance with the Telework Policy.\r\n NOTE: You must be a current DSS employee to be considered.� Please see selection plan for additional details.�\r\n\r\n\r\nWHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU - As a current State of Connecticut employee, you will receive the same excellent benefits you are already accustom to.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Visit our State Employee Benefits Overview page!\r\n Professional growth and development opportunities.\r\n A healthy work/life balance to all employees.\r\n 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 for more information.\r\n\r\nDISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO\r\n\r\n\r\n Engage in a rewarding career\r\n Make a difference in the public sector\r\n Work together in a collaborative team environment\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMORE ABOUT US\r\nDSS delivers and funds a wide range of programs and services as Connecticut’s multi-faceted health and human services agency. DSS serves about 1 million residents of all ages in all 169 Connecticut cities and towns. We support the basic needs of children, families, older and other adults, including persons with disabilities. Services are delivered through 12 field offices, central administration, and online and phone access options.\r\n\r\n\r\nPlease note that DSS takes part in the E-Verify system, which is a web-based system that allows enrolled employers to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States.\r\n\r\n\r\nSTART WITH US. STAY WITH US. GROW WITH US.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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 service or 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.\r\nFOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:�\r\nCheck out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library for additional support throughout the recruitment process.�\r\nBEFORE YOU APPLY:�\r\n\r\n 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. �\r\n 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.�\r\n 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.�\r\n 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.�\r\n 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.�\r\n 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.�\r\n\r\n\r\n 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.\r\n\r\nAFTER YOU APPLY:�\r\n\r\n 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).���\r\n 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!�\r\n 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.��\r\n The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.��\r\n 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.\r\n\r\nQUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP:�\r\nDue 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 Pamela Rochette at Pamela.Rochette@ct.gov.�\r\nJoin the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!\r\n

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Social Services, Division of Administrative Hearings and Appeals this class is accountable for conducting hearings and rendering decisions on appeals of departmental decisions and other matters designated by statute.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

\r\n Reviews requests for fair hearings made in accordance with statutory provisions;\r\n Conducts hearings utilizing teleconference technology or in person;\r\n Examines and admits to record all testimony, documents and other evidence on behalf of appellant;\r\n Questions witnesses and departmental employees appearing on behalf of agency with regard to decision being appealed;\r\n Prepares and renders written decisions on matters being appealed;\r\n Maintains records of testimony for use by Superior Court in event of further appeals;\r\n Prepares reports of hearings held;\r\n Recommends modification of procedures when appropriate;\r\n Participates in staff conferences;\r\n Performs related duties as required.\r\n\r\n

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

\r\n Considerable knowledge of\r\n \r\n relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;\r\n relevant agency policies and procedures;\r\n principles and practices of public assistance and human service programs;\r\n \r\n \r\n Considerable skill in conducting interviews to obtain information necessary for rendering proper decisions;\r\n Skills\r\n \r\n interpersonal skills;\r\n oral and written communication skills;\r\n \r\n \r\n Ability to\r\n \r\n present findings and conclusions in written reports;\r\n analyze and evaluate conflicting information and evidence.\r\n \r\n \r\n\r\n

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Seven (7) years of professional or technical experience in a social services program area.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been in a lead, advanced working or consultative capacity conducting hearings and rendering decisions. \r\nNOTE: For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of an Eligibility Services Specialist, Social Services Lead Investigator, Social Services Program Assistant Technician 2 or Social Worker.\r\n

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

\r\n College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equaling one half (l/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor’s degree.\r\n A Master's degree in a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.\r\n\r\n

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

\r\n Experience interpreting complex state and federal laws, statues and regulations related to public and medical assistance program serviced by DSS\r\n Experience reviewing and assessing matters governed under the state Uniform Administrative Procedures Act.\r\n Experience determining eligibility for public assistance, medical assistance, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, medical services and Child Support Programs serviced by DSS.\r\n Experience writing detailed, complex reports or case summaries.\r\n Experience utilizing Microsoft Office, Excel, Outlook, TEAMs and Adobe Acrobat software.\r\n\r\n

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER\r\nThe State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.\r\n

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.\r\n