Answer: Job postings are available on the Department of Administrative Services’ website (das.ct.gov). Click the “Employment Connection” hyperlink at the top of the page. Then select “State Job Postings”. On the State Job Postings page you will find a list of current job openings. Please click on the job title and read the posting carefully for information regarding eligibility requirements, examination requirements, and application filing instructions and closing dates.
Below the list of job openings are the names of the state agencies that also have employment opportunity pages on their websites. Although many agencies announce their job openings on the DAS website, some do not. If you are interested in a job with a specific state agency, it is recommended that you check that agency’s website as well as the DAS website. Just click on the name of the agency and you will be connected to the website for that agency.
Job postings change continuously so it is recommended that you check the job postings at least twice a week.
State Job Opportunities
Please note that many of the jobs you will see posted require that applicants be on a current examination list. Please refer to Questions #5, #6 and #7 for more information about state employment examination
Answer: The job posting will tell you the closing date for applications. It is important that your application materials are received by the hiring agency by the closing date, as agencies will not accept late application materials. Be sure to submit your materials to the address indicated on the posting. Applications mailed to an incorrect address will not be forwarded.
Answer: No. Some jobs are only open to current state employees or to current state employees of the hiring agency. Please read the job posting carefully to determine who is eligible to apply for the job.
Answer: The minimum qualifications necessary to apply for a job are detailed on the job posting. You must meet all minimum qualifications at the time of application. The minimum qualifications for a job may include one or more of the following categories: General Experience, Special Experience and Special Requirements. Sometimes there are educational substitutions for some of the General Experience. If this is the case, the examination announcement will clearly state the substitutions allowed.
In assessing your experience, please make note of the following rules:
(1) To qualify, the required experience must have been the primary focus of your job.
(2) Time in part-time jobs will be prorated to its full-time equivalent.
(3) Full-time positions are interpreted to equal 40 hours; no additional credit will be given for persons indicating a normal schedule of more than 40 hours per week.
(4) Internships for which you received credits as part of an education program will not be counted towards meeting the General or Special experience if your education is considered as a Substitution.
Answer: Most jobs in the Executive Branch are classified and competitive. This means that applicants must take and pass an examination for that job title in order to be eligible to be considered for appointment or promotion to jobs in that job title.
If the job posting states that you must be on a current examination or candidate list this means that you must have already applied for, taken and passed the exam for the job title and have a current exam score in order to apply for the job posting. (Check your exam result letter for the expiration date of your exam score.)
All employment examinations for the State of Connecticut are posted on the
DAS website Click the “Employment Connection” hyperlink at the top of the page. Then select “State Employment Examinations”. It is recommended that you check this website at least once a week to make certain that you do not miss any examinations that you are interested in. You can also obtain copies of exam announcements by visiting any of the Department of Labor Connecticut Works Centers.
Some examinations are always open for application (Continuous Recruitment examination) while others may only be open once every year or once every several years.
State Employment Examinations
Answer: Yes. The words in the upper left corner of the job description tell you whether or not an examination is required for a specific job class. The words in the upper left corner of the job description will read either: Classified/Competitive, Classified/Non-Competitive, Classified/Non-Examiner or Unclassified. Definitions and examples of each are included below.
Classified/Competitive: a State examination is required for appointment to jobs in this title. Candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the position and pass the exam in order to be appointed. Examples of Classified/Competitive job classes: Secretary 1, Accountant and Social Worker, State Police Trooper Trainee, and Correction Officer.
Classified/Non-Competitive: a State examination is not required for appointment to jobs in this title; however, the minimum qualifications required must be met at time of application. Examples of Non-Competitive job classes: Clerk, Social Worker Trainee and Maintainer.
Classified/Non-Examined: a State examination is not required for appointment to jobs in this title; however, specific licensure and/or educational credentials are required at time of application. Examples of Non-Examined job classes: Nurse Consultant, Physician 1 and Clinical Social Worker.
Unclassified: In general, appointments made to unclassified positions in the Executive Branch are at the discretion of the Governor or Agency Head. All positions within the Judicial and Legislative Departments are unclassified. Many positions within the University of Connecticut, the University of Connecticut Health Center and the Connecticut State University System are also unclassified. Jobs in the unclassified service do not require an examination; however, the minimum qualifications required must be met at time of application.
Sample Job Description
Answer: If a state employee is affected by a layoff, s/he is given re-employment and/or SEBAC rights. These individuals have preference in filling jobs for which they qualify over outside hires.
Answer: This means that current state employees holding that job title and who have successfully completed their working test period in the job title are eligible to apply for the job.
Answer: This means that current state employees may apply for the job if they held the job title in the past and successfully completed their working test period or if they currently hold the job title and have successfully completed their working test period.
Answer: This means that the position may be filled at a lower level in the career series. For example, professional jobs at the entry level are sometimes underfilled with a trainee. A position advertised as Social Worker might be filled at the level of Social Worker or underfilled at the level of Social Worker Trainee or a position advertised as an Accountant might be filled as an Accountant or underfilled as an Accounting Career Trainee.
Answer: This means that the position may be filled on a temporary or provisional basis pending the results of an examination. Permanent appointment to the position must be made from an examination list.
Answer: Follow the instructions on the job posting carefully making sure that you submit all the required materials and that you send the required materials to the proper location. Application materials for job postings must be sent to the hiring agency. Applications for job postings only go to the Department of Administrative Services if the job posting specifically instructs applicants to do so. Application materials sent to the incorrect location will be returned to the applicant.
Most job postings require that you submit a State of Connecticut application form (CT-HR-12). Application forms must have all parts completed, detailing how you meet the minimum experience and training requirements for each job for which you apply. Resumes may be attached, but cannot substitute for completing any part of the application form.
Answer: Application forms are available from the Department of Administrative Services (http://www.das.state.ct.us/exam) or at the Offices of the Connecticut State Job Centers.
APPLICATION FORM
Answer: Yes, the State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.
Answer: Military veterans receive additional points on passing scores for examination open to the public provided all criteria is met and supporting documentation is provided. Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions About Examinations for more information about Veterans Preference Points. Veterans are not given preference for jobs outside of the examination process.
Answer: Your application materials will be reviewed by the hiring agency to verify that you meet all of the requirements of the job posting. The applicants that meet all of the requirements of the posting and have a background that is most closely related to the specific job being filled are usually invited for interviews. As the competition for state jobs is very high, it is not unusual for an agency to receive 50 or 100 applications for a job posting. Therefore, not all applicants will be interviewed.
Answer: Not usually. You will be contacted, usually by phone, if you are selected for an interview. Agencies will generally send you a letter at the conclusion of the recruitment process or sometimes if you have not been selected to be interviewed.
Answer: Interviews are almost always a part of the selection process when agencies are filling jobs. Sometimes there is a single round of interviews and sometimes there may be two or even three rounds of interviews.
When you apply for a job, your application materials will be reviewed by the hiring agency to verify that you meet all of the requirements of the job posting. The applicants that meet all of the requirements of the posting and have a background that is most closely related to the specific job being filled are usually invited for interviews. As the competition for state jobs is very high, it is not unusual for an agency to receive 50 or 100 applications for a job posting. Therefore, not all applicants will be interviewed.
Answer: Some key things you can do to prepare for an interview are:
· Learn as much as you can about the state agency. One good way to do this is to read the information on their website. About State Agencies
· Learn as much as you can about the job you are applying for. Review the job posting and the official job description. Job Descriptions Database
· Match your qualifications to the requirements of the job. A good approach is to write out your qualifications along with the job requirements. Think about some standard interview questions and how you might respond. Most questions are designed to find out more about you, your qualifications, or to determine your reactions in a given situation. If you lack experience or skills in a required area, think about how you might make up for those deficiencies.
· Gather the information and documents you may need for the interview. Bring extra copies of your résumé and/or application form, a typed list of references and letter(s) of recommendation (if you have them). You may also be asked to bring school transcripts, licenses and certifications, copies of recent performance evaluations, writing samples or other work products.
· If you are not sure how to get to the site where the interview will be held, take a ride before the day of the interview. Leave yourself some extra time just in case you run into traffic or have difficulty locating parking.
There is more information about interviews and preparing for an interview on the DAS website (das.ct.gov). Click the “State Employment” hyperlink in the left margin. Then select “State Job Postings”. On the State Job Postings page you will find a information about interviews.
The Interview Process
Answer: Yes, it is standard procedure for state agencies to check references before making a job offer. If a list of references is not required at the time of application, you should bring a list of at least three professional references if you are invited to an interview.
Answer: Yes. Before being appointed to a position you will need to provide copies of college transcripts and/or degrees, as well as licenses and certificates. For current state employees, you will be required to provide this information when transferring or taking a promotion if these documents are not already in your personnel file. It is recommended that if you do not have copies of these documents, that you request them early in your application process so that you have them readily available when you are asked to provide them.
Answer: Yes. All state employees and officials are required to abide by a Code of Ethics. Before accepting employment with the State, applicants will be given a summary of the State Code of Ethics and the hiring agency’s Ethics Statement. Each new employee must sign a statement acknowledging receipt of such documents and agree to comply with the requirements of the state ethic laws. (You can find the Code of Ethics and other related documents on the DAS website.)
Ethics Policy
Answer: No. For most jobs in state service new employees must start at the salary at the bottom of the salary range. Employees move through the salary range based on annual increases as outlined in collective bargaining agreements or annual performance reviews for managers. Current state employees may be placed above the minimum of the salary range depending on their current job title and salary.
Answer: No. These materials should be completed outside of your work hours.
Answer: No. State employees are permitted to attend interviews for state jobs during their workday provided they receive approval for the time from their supervisor. It should be noted that most interviews usually last about an hour. (For payroll purposes the time should be coded as WI for Job Interview.) Employees should try to schedule their interviews outside of their work hours if possible. If this is not possible, employees should try to schedule their interviews at a time that allows them to reduce the amount of time away from their job.
Ample travel time is permitted, however, State employees are not eligible for mileage reimbursement to travel to/from an interview.
Answer: Some state agencies have summer job opportunities. The agency that has the majority of the summer job opportunities is the Department of Environmental Protection. Please check the DAS website and individual agency websites for summer job postings.
Answer: You have to apply for jobs that are posted for that job title. In most cases agencies do not contact candidates on an examination list. They post their positions and qualified candidates must apply for positions that they are interested in.
Answer: No. Agencies will automatically receive your name for positions that you have re-employment rights to.
Answer: No. Agencies will automatically receive your name for positions for which you have SEBAC rights.
Answer: Yes. Your name will not appear on any lists; you must apply for positions. Depending on the job titles you are applying for and the length of time since you resigned, you may be required to take an examination to be reemployed.