On-the-Job Training (OJT) Program Coordinator(Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist 1)

Introduction

The State of Connecticut, Department of Transportation (DOT), invites qualified applicants to apply for the position of Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist 1within the Office of Equity located in Newington, CT. 

The office of Equity is located within the Office of the Commissioner and is responsible for overseeing major Civil Rights programs and compliance including the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program, the On-the-Job Training (OJT) Program, the Contractor Compliance Program, and the Title VI Program.  

WE CAN OFFER YOU:

• Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page!
• The opportunity to work for a Forbes top company: 'Forbes' State of Connecticut Ranked One
• of the Best Employers of 2023 - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule.
• Professional growth and development opportunities.
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees.
• Ample free parking with easy access from major highways or by public transportation
• The convenience of an on-site, low-cost fitness center, on-site cafeteria, and Electric Vehicle (EV) charging at our Newington, CT Headquarters facility.
• Join an award winning agency! CTDOT was recently awarded the Employer of the Year award by the Connecticut Society of Civil Engineers (CSCE) and named the Women's Transportation Seminar (WTS) CT Employer of the Year for 2023

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS

• Full time, 40 hours per week
• Monday through Friday
• First shift
• This position is eligible to apply for telework after successful completion of the working test period, and thereafter, in accordance with the Telework Policy. The Policy can be found HERE.  Employees in their initial working test period must work on site or in the office.

THE ROLE

The purpose of CTDOT’s On-the-Job Training (OJT) Program, which is federally required, is to create a more diverse and inclusive transportation construction industry by creating job opportunities for underrepresented populations, including minorities, women and economically disadvantaged individuals. The program offers various training opportunities in the transportation construction field and allows trainees to receive the necessary knowledge and skills to be successful on the job. 

The OJT Program Coordinator is responsible for ensuring contractors are complying with training requirements as part of their contract with CTDOT. This position collects and reviews contractor documentation to ensure that training requirements have been met on a project. This position also performs on-site reviews and interviews to evaluate the progress of trainees and ensure training is being conducted according to guidelines and will be responsible for preparing reports and program proposals as needed to obtain federal funding.  The Coordinator will be responsible for overseeing the OJT Supportive Services program  and establish partnering relationships with community-based organizations and labor organizations, to develop workforce development goals and strategies for worker retention in heavy and highway construction.

WHO WE ARE

As one of Connecticut's largest State agencies, DOT employs approximately 3,300 individuals statewide in five distict bureaus. It is the DOT's mission to provide a safe and efficient intermodal transportation network that improves the quality of life and promotes economic vitality for the State and the region. We have a significant transportation infrastructure system that is essential to maintaining mobility for Connecticut residents and businesses and supporting economic and community development while preserving environmental and cultural resources. The Department of Transportation is committed to cultivating a diverse staff that is representative of the communities we serve. Applications from individuals having diverse backgrounds and life experiences are strongly encouraged.

Learn more about our mission, vison, and values by clicking here!


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Selection Plan

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. 

This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules.

To Apply:

• In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on this job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.
• The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
• For Bridge positions, a respirator test may be required for certain locations.
• Ensure that your application is complete and detailed before submitting it. In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process. You will not be able to make revisions once your application is submitted into the JobAps system.
• Please 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.
• In order to receive educational credits toward qualification for this job posting, 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 recruiter listed on this job posting.
  
  
• All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:

• Please read or watch our Applicant Tips on How to Apply!

Important Information After You Apply:

• This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the questionnaire's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.
• Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
• Note: At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.
• Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
• Read through this helpful link to prepare for your interview.

Connect With Us:

• Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. Should you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Jasmyn.Raymond@ct.gov. 
• Follow the State of Connecticut on LinkedIn.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency this class is accountable for developing and implementing affirmative action plans and conducting other activities in an Equal Employment Opportunity program.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Develops and implements affirmative action plans in an Equal Employment Opportunity program;
• Compiles and analyzes statistical affirmative action data;
• Develops and/or revises equal employment opportunity procedures;
• Defines and conducts outreach initiatives including recruitment efforts through community and minority organizations and career fairs;
• Conducts career counseling;
• Conducts discrimination complaint investigations;
• Counsels staff on equal employment opportunity matters;
• Reviews supplier contracts to ensure incorporation of affirmative action considerations;
• Prepares reports;
• Assists Equal Employment Opportunity staff with special projects;
• Assists in training activities;
• Participates in the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
• May participate in employment interviews;
• May assist in development of equal employment opportunity policy;
• May assist in monitoring agency compliance with State of Connecticut Minority and Small Contractor's Set Aside Program;
• May participate in administering affirmative action for patient, student, inmate and/or client rights programs;
• May serve as agency's ADA coordinator;
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Knowledge of
  • relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
  • affirmative action programs;
  • interviewing and counseling techniques;
  • merit system selection process including recruitment, examination and classification;
  • needs and issues of patients, inmates, students and/or clients;
• Considerable
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to
  • develop and implement affirmative action plans;
  • compile, analyze and evaluate human resources records and statistical information;
  • investigate;
  • assess and define training requirements; 
  • utilize human resources information systems.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Six (6) years of professional experience in affirmative action, equal opportunity assurance or human resources management.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have involved primary responsibility for affirmative action or equal opportunity assurance in an employment setting.

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 public administration, human resources management, labor relations or a closely related field or a law degree may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
• For state employees two (2) years of experience as an Equal Employment Opportunity Assistant may be substituted for the General and Special Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience overseeing programs for career training, apprenticeships and workforce development.
• Experience with developing program guides and manuals.
• Experience writing reports and other materials.
• Experience with program management.
• Experience working with various customers and being responsive to internal and external stakeholders.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• In accordance with Connecticut General Statute, incumbents in this class must complete five (5) hours of training during the first year of service or designation and a minimum of three (3) hours biannually thereafter. This training shall include (1) state and federal discrimination laws and (2) internal discrimination investigation techniques which will be provided by the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities and the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women.
• 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.