Social Services Program Specialist

Social Services Program Specialist

Hybrid

Recruitment # 261105-5055SH-001

Location Hartford, CT

Date Opened 11/6/2026 11:00:00 AM

Salary $100,763 - $126,981/year

Job Type Open to the Public

Close Date 11/18/2026 11:59:00 PM

Go Back Apply View Benefits (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/jobs/?b=Benefits)

• Introduction

The State of Connecticut (https://portal.ct.gov/) , Department of Social Services (DSS (https://portal.ct.gov/dss) ) is recruiting a Social Services Program Specialist (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/specs/classspecdisplay.asp?ClassNumber=5055SH&R1=&R3=) position located in Hartford, CT.

Position Highlights:

• Full-time, 40 hours per week

• First (1st) shift

• Monday - Friday

• 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

• Hartford, CT

The Role:

The Social Services Program Specialist (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/specs/classspecdisplay.asp?ClassNumber=5055SH&R1=&R3=) will participate in agency and interagency projects and initiatives that support the department’s multiple divisions responsible for providing services to the residents of Connecticut.

This position maintains managerial oversight for the Business Systems team, a functional unit within the Division of Business Systems. The team is responsible for providing business guidance for multiple Eligibility and Enrollment projects and the corresponding systems across the Department of Social Services. The systems/projects supported include ImpaCT, ahCT, ConneCT, AVS, EMPI, Progressive Web Application, IVR/Benefits Center, Universal Assessment, RLog, Texting, CCSES+, myCT, PHE Unwinding and Scan Optics and any others the department may identify.

About Us:

DSS 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.

What’s In It For You:

Visit our new 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.

• State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loan forgiveness after 10 years of service. Click here (https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service) for more information.

Discover the opportunity to:

• Engage in a rewarding career

• Assist our employees so they can achieve success

• Make a difference in the public sector

• Work together in a collaborative team environment

Selection Plan

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.

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy: Refer to General Letter No. 195 - Candidate Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Vacancy Filling Process (https://portal.ct.gov/das/knowledge-base/articles/policies/general-letter-no-195-candidate-use-of-ai?language=en\_US)

• 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 [email protected].

• 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 (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/newregpages/IDPassfind.asp?from=existing) 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 Christopher.Lavallee ([email protected].) @ct.gov.

Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Social Services this class is accountable for providing complex functional and technical support to a unit engaged in support of the IMPACT, Eligibility Processing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) business functions.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Oversees and validates systems operational procedures, schedule and results reporting;

• Assists in incident investigation, project planning and status updates;

• Participates in the Change Request process from initiation through implementation including approval from the Change Control Board (CCB);

• Participates in project Business System Design (BSD) session;

• Leads test team activities such as developing test plans, validating test results, tracking defects and implementing correction plans;

• Validates that the requirements traceability matrixes (RTM) are developed, maintained and completed;

• Performs application security management role;

• Monitors and escalates project IT concerns to DSS management;

• Assists IT developers by interpreting business requirements into technical requirements;

• Develops, reviews and monitors operational procedures;

• Participates in project Technical Detail Design (TDD) sessions to ensure they are completed, accurate and validated against the Business System Design;

• Assists in application help desk support for user systems;

• Works closely with IT, business partners, system integrators and other state agencies;

• Acts as project coordinator for small IT projects that do not have permanent project managers;

• Coordinates and disseminates communications to DSS and business partners concerning DSS application systems;

• Participates in the release management and CCB functions assuring that IT technical updates are planned, scheduled and implemented in a timely manner;

• Participates in the Information Technology Systems Project Management Office and project tracking groups;

• Perform related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Considerable knowledge of

• IMPACT modules and how they are integrated;

• and the ability to map business processes;

• programming logic, validation testing, script writing and other troubleshooting software;

• and ability to interpret and apply relevant agency policies and procedures as well as state/federal laws, statutes and regulations;

• Knowledge of community organizations and social services agencies;

• Considerable

• interpersonal skills;

• oral and written communication skills;

• analytical and problem solving skills;

• presentation and training skills;

• Considerable ability to

• plan, organize and coordinate complex business processes;

• handle multiple projects;

• gather and communicate technical information to the appropriate sources;

• utilize Enterprise Resource Planning systems;

• Supervisory ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Nine (9) years of professional experience in a social services program, determination of client eligibility for public assistance or technical business support.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been in a supervisory capacity in the provision of IMPACT Eligibility Processing Enterprise Resource Planning business functions.

NOTE: For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of a Social Services Supervising Analyst.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

• College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equaling one half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.

• A Master's degree in a closely related area may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

• Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.

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