Social Worker Trainee - Social And Human Services Hybrid SH

Social Worker Trainee – Multiple Positions in Connecticut

Are you passionate about serving children and families in Connecticut? The State of Connecticut, Department of Children and Families (DCF) is accepting applications for multiple Social Worker Trainee positions across the state. The mission is to partner with communities and empower families to raise resilient children.

As a Social Worker Trainee, you will participate in a comprehensive training program designed to build knowledge, skills, and experience in social work. You will receive training in agency procedures, policies, program guidelines, and legal reporting requirements, while gaining hands‑on experience with clients and families. Trainees progress from basic interviewing and case management to more complex responsibilities and larger caseloads.

• Receive training in agency social work procedures, personnel policies, program guidelines, and legal reporting requirements.
• Develop expertise in interviewing and assessment techniques, case management, counseling, treatment planning, and connecting clients to community resources.
• Provide basic counseling services to clients enrolled in departmental programs.
• Prepare initial treatment plans, psychosocial evaluations, case histories, and other case records for a small assigned caseload.
• Refer clients, patients, and family members for community or social services, medical or psychological services, housing, financial and employment assistance.
• Motivate clients to increase understanding and coping of problems, frustration, and anxiety.
• Perform a greater number of specific and complex social work duties, maintaining a larger caseload as skills are acquired.
• Perform related duties as required.

• Minimum: a Bachelor’s degree in social work or a closely related field (e.g., applied sociology, child development, clinical psychology, counseling, human services, etc.) and two (2) years of experience in the self‑directed use of case management techniques and counseling to sustain or restore client functioning; OR a Master’s degree in social work or a closely related field and one (1) year of experience.
• Knowledge of the reciprocal relationship between individuals and their social, economic and cultural environment and human social behavior.
• Considerable interpersonal skills; strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to relate to different cultural and economic backgrounds, organize time, set priorities and manage workload.
• Candidates must possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s License. (Additional language requirements may apply for certain agencies.)

• Entry classification:
  Four‑month completion – SH 18 Step 1 ($63,596.00).
• One‑year completion – SH 18 Step 4 ($70,052.00).
• Two‑year completion – SH 21 Step 1 ($73,572.00).
• Eligible for State Employee Benefits Overview, professional development opportunities, healthy work‐life balance, and Public Service Loan Forgiveness after 10 years of service.

• Region 1:
  Bridgeport and Norwalk
• Region 2:
  Milford and New Haven
• Region 3:
  Middletown, Norwich and Willimantic (Willimantic part of Windham)
• Region 4:
  Hartford and Manchester
• Region 5:
  Danbury, Torrington and Waterbury
• Region 6:
  New Britain and Meriden

The State of Connecticut is an equal‑opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.