Children Services Worker

Introduction The State of Connecticut, Department of Children and Families (DCF) has current and anticipated vacancies for multiple Children Services Worker positions at Solnit South located in Middletown, CT. Position Highlights Full-time, 40 hours per week Part-Time, 32 hours per week First shift: 7:00 am - 3:30 pm Second shift: 2:45 pm - 11:15 pm Third shift: 11:10 pm - 7:10 am Specific days to be determined Responsibilities Perform a full range of basic counseling and custodial activities for residents. Counsel and advise residents individually on matters such as purpose of institutionalization, problems, progress in unit and placement plans. Participate in maintaining a therapeutic milieu by meeting psychological and physical needs of residents. Oversee daily living activities to ensure proper care of residents. Teach residents unit self‑support skills such as basic money management, daily living habits, hygiene, etc. Dispense rewards to residents as a result of behavioral performance. Oversee recreational activities for residents. Write reports of significant events in unit such as runaways and accidents. Check temperatures of residents and dispense selected medications. Record daily activities in logbook. Escort residents to destinations on and off grounds, to and from meals, class, infirmary, court, placements, etc. Discipline children who are acting out and follow up with appropriate action. Attend staff meetings and training sessions to improve treatment and therapy skills. Perform related duties as required. Minimum Qualifications – General Experience Two (2) years of paraprofessional experience in an applied treatment program for emotionally disturbed, delinquent, behaviorally disordered, educationally deficient or intellectually disabled children or youth. Substitutions Allowed Associate’s degree in health, human services or mental health areas may be substituted for the general experience. Thirty (30) college credits in a course of study leading to a Bachelor’s degree in the behavioral sciences may be substituted for one (1) year of the general experience. Preferred Qualifications Experience working in congregate care treatment programs. Experience working in a psychiatric/behavioral health, medical or hospital setting. Experience working as a member of an interdisciplinary treatment team. Experience with documenting significant events, critical incidents, and/or interventions. Experience with escorting residents to destinations on and off grounds. Experience advocating and teaching self‑support skills to youth, reinforcing positive behaviors, and/or applying therapeutic interventions. Special Requirements May be required to be bilingual or fluent in American Sign Language. May be required to possess and maintain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license. May be required to travel. Working Conditions Incumbents may be required to lift or restrain residents and may have significant exposure to risk of injury from assaultive and/or abusive residents. 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr State of Connecticut - Department of Children & Families