Labor Department Associate Community Services Representative

State of Connecticut - Department of Labor; Middletown (CT); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Connecticut - Department of Labor seeks an Adjudicator to determine unemployment eligibility and issue decisions on non-monetary issues. The role includes follow-up calls, rebuttals, and processing in a hybrid work setting in Middletown or Wethersfield, CT.

The position requires solid knowledge of unemployment laws, strong communication, and the ability to guide claimants through appeals. Growth opportunities exist within the department.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of unemployment insurance laws and policies.
• Strong interviewing and communication skills.
• Ability to lead teams and develop case management records.

Responsibilities

• Adjudicate one-party cases to determine unemployment eligibility.
• Write and issue decisions on non-monetary eligibility issues.
• Advise claimants of rights regarding appeals and provide general assistance in filing an appeal.
• Field incoming phone calls from parties to answer questions related to Adjudications.
• Open incoming mail and faxes and upload documents into ReEmployCT.
• Answer and respond to email from other UI units.
• Process incoming employer responses to determine if work items need to be created.

Skills

Unemployment insurance knowledge

Interviewing techniques

Public speaking

Analytical skills

Oral and written communication

Education

College training substitution for experience

Job description

Introduction

Are you a current DOL employee seeking your next opportunity? If this sounds like you, we encourage you to apply!

• LOCATION: Middletown or Wethersfield, CT
• SHIFT: First | full time | 40 hours a week
• SCHEDULE: Monday - Friday | hybrid
• NOTE: This position is open to current DOL employees only. Please see selection plan for additional details.

YOUR ROLE

• Adjudicate one-party cases to determine unemployment eligibility in accordance with regulations and statutes (includes follow up calls and rebuttal requests to customers).
• Write and issue decisions on non-monetary eligibility issues based upon findings of adjudications process.
• Advise claimants of rights with regard to appeal and provide general assistance in filing an appeal.
• Field incoming phone calls from parties (claimants and employers) to answer any questions related to Adjudications.
• Open incoming mail and faxes and upload those documents into ReEmployCT.
• Answer and respond to email from other UI units.
• Process incoming employer responses to determine if work items need to be created to address any potential non-monetary issues.

More details can be found within the 'Example of Duties' or the class specification.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• Professional growth and development opportunities.
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees.
• As a current agency employee you will receive the same excellent benefits you are accustomed to, including: Visit our State Employee Benefits Overview page!

ABOUT US

DOL is committed to protecting and promoting the interests of Connecticut workers. In order to accomplish this ever-changing environment, we assist workers and employers to become competitive in the global economy. We take a comprehensive approach to meeting the needs of workers and employers, and other agencies that serve them. We ensure the supply of high-integrated services that serve the needs of our customers.

START WITH US, STAY WITH US, GROW WITH US!

Career progression pathway within the State of Connecticut: starting with Labor Department Associate Community Services Representative, to Labor Department Resources Associate with additional opportunities beyond!

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.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Labor this class is accountable for performing specialized client services in the areas of adjudications, career development counseling, outreach, apprenticeship and/or job training programs or a specialized operational support function.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Conducts basic level adjudications including assessing possibility of applying “special base period” provision and obtaining all relevant information and documentation;
• Conducts hearings applying pertinent laws, regulations and precedent decisions and issuing a ruling regarding delay of benefits due to receipt of disqualifying income;
• Ascertains facts, analyzing and ruling with regard to general availability for work and adequacy of efforts to find suitable work;
• Develops facts and performs all pertinent research necessary to recommendation of fraud including imposition of penalty weeks if warranted or non-fraud including repayment waiver;
• Conducts separation hearing for interstate claimants.
• Provides basic career development counseling services for clients who are vocationally untracked or have significant barriers to employment;
• Makes field visits to locate and contact special populations and farm workers who are not being reached and have significant barriers to employment.
• In consultation with a Labor Department Business Services Specialist participates in marketing of services and programs to employers within a region including providing apprenticeship services to individuals and employers;
• Develops on-the-job training programs;
• Develops customized job training programs which meet specialized employer needs;
• Provides consulting services with regard to training needs, resources and standards.
• Assists and participates in activities such as program development, automation support, monitoring and evaluation, training and/or technical assistance to field staff in various program areas;
• Assists in developing training programs in assigned functional areas;
• Participates in monitoring programs and activities for completeness, compliance with legal mandates, fiscal requirements, efficiency and customer satisfaction;
• Assists in analyzing impact of state and/or federal legislation and regulations on departmental programs and procedures;
• Assists in development of procedural manuals and memoranda.
• Performs specialized and highly technical tasks in one or more operational support functions of claims examination, benefit payment control and merit rating;
• Researches and analyzes wage data to determine and perform corrective action;
• Determines compliance of work and procedures with applicable laws, regulations and policy;
• Determines successorship and waivers of liability;
• Segregates payrolls;
• Presents complex appeals to Appeals Division;
• Reviews and resolves claims under complex special programs;
• Makes monetary disqualification determinations in areas such as education employees, aliens and claimants receiving workers compensation;
• Reviews appeals on wage usage;
• Reviews American Job Center recommendations and decisions relating to fraud to ensure compliance with regulations;
• Reviews fraud audits prior to first notification;
• May serve as a team leader.
• Assists in training employees of lower grade;
• May speak before groups;
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Considerable knowledge of a specialized area of job service, unemployment insurance or employment and training functions including pertinent laws, regulations, policies and procedures;
• Knowledge of job service, unemployment insurance and employment training agency programs;
• Interviewing techniques and principles;
• Employment problems of special groups and behavioral problems hindering employment;
• Interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; analytical skills;
• Considerable ability to understand, apply and explain relevant laws, regulations, policies, programs and procedures;
• Ability to establish cooperative relationships with staff, employers, diverse client population and the public;
• Make decisions;
• Use automated systems;
• Maintain good public relations;
• Lead teams;
• Create and maintain case management records.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Six (6) years of technical level experience in counseling, employment placement, veterans employment and training support services, public contact work, human service programs, community action programs, job service, unemployment insurance or employment and training functions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis