Introduction
Do you want to utilize your skills and make a difference? Are you looking to take the next step in your career? If so, please read on to learn more about this exciting opportunity!
The State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services (DSS) is accepting applications for a Health Program Associate (HPA) in the Integrated Care Unit – Behavior Health Section for the Division of Health Services. The HPA will manage and support health programs through data analysis, policy development, contract oversight, and interdepartmental coordination.
POSITION HIGHLIGHTS
- LOCATION: 55 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105
- SHIFT: First (full time | 40 hours per week) | Hybrid
- SCHEDULE: Monday – Friday
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
- Visit our State Employee Benefits Overview page!
- Professional growth and development opportunities.
- A healthy work/life balance 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 for more information.
ABOUT US
DSS delivers and funds a wide range of programs and services as Connecticut's multi-faceted health and human services agency. We serve about 1 million residents of all ages in all 169 Connecticut cities and towns, as well as 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.
Please 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.
START WITH US. STAY WITH US. GROW WITH US.
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.
- 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.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy: Refer to General Letter No. 195 - Candidate Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Vacancy Filling Process.
- 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:
- Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates - such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links - please check your Personal Status Board regularly. For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select “Update My Contact Information.”
- 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 at Pamela.Rochette@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 health program or project this class is accountable for performing high level work in the implementation and coordination of the non-clinical aspects of health care programs or projects.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
The specific duties and responsibilities of this generic class vary widely depending on the nature of the program and the current stage in its life cycle. Typical examples of duties include the following:
- Serves as regional coordinator for a statewide health program or project with responsibility for developing and maintaining appropriate programs, projects and liaisons in their assigned regions;
- Participates in planning, organization and implementation of a statewide health program by having responsibility for major components of program such as staffing, work assignment and distribution decisions;
- Initiates and oversees public relations efforts;
- Establishes and maintains relationships involved in program within agency and with other state, community or public agencies;
- Assists division head in expediting program;
- Prepares comprehensive reports on planning and progress of program;
- Develops objectives so program functions within cost estimates;
- Analyzes, evaluates and interprets data;
- Advises and participates in formulation of task forces within or outside agency and coordinates activities so program is successfully accomplished;
- Works with federal, state and community agencies on new, proposed or revised programs to clarify or develop objectives, determine method of integrating programs in agency operations and establish cost estimates;
- Provides technical assistance to community agencies;
- Assists in drafting of legislation and regulations;
- Gathers fiscal and programmatic data on programs and participates in planning budget and programmatic aspects of program;
- May also be assigned to conduct health planning, program monitoring and grants management for particular programs;
- May be involved in approval of grants or projects;
- May speak publicly about program issues and develop information for public distribution;
- Performs related duties as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY
- Considerable knowledge of
- purposes, plans, objectives and programs of public health agencies including changing patterns of preventive medicine and environmental health;
- relationships between risk factors and evidence of health problems;
- changing aspects of social-medical philosophies;
- Knowledge of
- research and evaluation design methodologies;
- state and community organizations and programs involved in field of public health and medical care;
- Considerable
- interpersonal skills;
- oral and written communication skills;
- Considerable ability to plan, organize and direct a complex technical program;
- Ability to
- analyze, evaluate and interpret data;
- lead and train staff.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE
Seven (7) years of professional experience in a health organization.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE
One (1) year of the General Experience must have been in health care program administration, a health systems agency or other health care organization in at least one of the following areas:
- grant writing or monitoring;
- formal program planning, development, management or evaluation;
- program consultation;
- public relations activities.
For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of a Health Program Assistant 2.
NOTE: A health care organization is defined as a large multi-dimensional agency with responsibility for developing health programs.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED
- College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
- A Master's degree in health education, hospital administration, public administration, public health or other closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
- For state employees one (1) year as a Health Program Assistant 2 may be substituted for the General and Special Experience.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with program administration, policy analysis, and systems coordination
- Experience with program evaluation, quality improvement, and operational efficiency
- Experience analyzing, evaluating and interpreting data
- Experience navigating complex interagency systems, coordinating initiatives, and supporting grant and contract management
- Experience interpreting and implementing state and federal regulations, contributing to Medicaid waiver development, and supporting behavioral health integration efforts
- Experience with state and community organizations and programs involved in field of public health and medical care
- Experience with oral and written communication skills; interpersonal skills; considerable ability to plan, organize and direct a technical program
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
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.
