Introduction

Are you passionate about advocating for Veterans and strengthening community partnerships? Join our team and help elevate programs, events, and services that support Connecticut Veterans statewide. The State of Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) is seeking an experienced and qualified individual for the position of Manager of Community Advocacy to be part of their leadership team. This is a great opportunity to serve and support our Connecticut Veterans and their eligible dependents.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:

• LOCATION: Rocky Hill
• HOURS: Full-time, 40 hours/week
• SCHEDULE: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (First Shift)

WHY THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT:

• Explore our comprehensive State Employee Benefits Overview to see what we offer
• Enjoy abundant opportunities for professional growth and development
• Experience a healthy work/life balance

IN THIS ROLE, YOU WILL:

• Provide continuous direct engagement and coordination with statewide Veteran service organizations of Veteran’s benefits events, community programs and ceremonies across the state;
• Serve as liaison for intergovernmental matters with municipalities, state and federal elected officials, Constitutional offices and executive agencies at the state and federal levels;
• Oversee acceptance and distribution of donations for Veterans residing at the DVA’s Rocky Hill Campus and community-based Veterans;
• Manage, in coordination with the agency’s fiscal office, five donation funds which are: Veterans Outreach and Support, Veteran and Service Member Stand Down, Facility Fund Quality of Life Improvements, Veterans Recreation Fund, and Holiday Funds State Veterans Cemetery Perpetual Care;
• Coordinate volunteer groups and individuals which provide supportive programming to on-campus Veterans including, but not limited to, bingo, musical performances, picnics, pet therapy and holiday events;
• Work directly with the Office of the Commissioner and DVA managers to plan, prepare, and execute a variety of on and off campus ceremonies and events honoring Veterans;
• Maintain the agency's Social Media outreach program.

MORE ABOUT US:

DVA has a long history of "Serving Those Who Served"; since 1864, the Agency has supported Connecticut Veterans and continues this tradition through our four core programs at our campus in Rocky Hill and around the State:

• Residential Programs and Services: Providing temporary individual and family supportive living facilities with programming designed to return Connecticut Veterans to independent living in the community;
• Skilled Nursing at the Sgt. John L. Levitow Healthcare Center: A state-of-the-art long-term care facility for Veterans with chronic, disabling conditions who require 24-hour clinical support;
• Office of Advocacy and Assistance: Assists Veterans and eligible dependents in obtaining Veterans benefits under federal, state and local laws through Veteran Service Officers assigned to seven district offices;
• Cemetery and Memorial Services: The State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown is the only operating official Veterans cemetery in Connecticut and offers several interment options for Veterans with full military honors and for their spouses.

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING: Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Toolkit 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 by the closing date listed on the job posting.

Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, 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.

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 DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.

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 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.

This employer may participate in E‑Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information to confirm work authorization.

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 Alyssa Hovanec at Alyssa.Hovanec@ct.gov.

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

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Offices of the Secretary of State and Workforce Strategy and the Departments of Education, Emergency Services and Public Protection, Labor, Social Services, Transportation and Veterans Affairs this class is accountable for developing, advocating and/or managing community liaison relationships and programs impacted by agency policy and services.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Directs staff and operations of a program;
• Coordinates, plans and manages unit activities;
• Formulates program goals and objectives;
• Develops or makes recommendations on development or revision of policies and standards;
• Interprets and administers pertinent laws;
• Prepares or assists in preparation of unit and/or division budget;
• Maintains contacts and acts as liaison with federal, state, municipal, corporate, community and/or legislative leaders to identify and resolve issues relative to impact of agency programs on local operations and programs;
• Provides technical assistance and administrative oversight to state, local and/or regional boards in development and implementation of plans and programs;
• Serves as an advocate with federal and/or state government or providers on behalf of agency and community programs;
• Develops action plans and works with community programs to implement these plans;
• Prepares reports and correspondence;
• May review and make recommendations on requests for additional funding or expanded services;
• May perform related duties in areas of grant management and administration;
• May prepare statistical reports;
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; relevant agency policies and procedures; public or urban policy; program evaluation and monitoring functions; Knowledge of and ability to apply management principles and practices; Considerable interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; Ability to develop, implement and evaluate goals and objectives; develop and manage budgets and grants.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Eight (8) years of professional experience in planning, monitoring, evaluating or administering comprehensive social service or community programs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been in a lead or supervisory capacity.

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 business administration, planning, public administration or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience establishing perpetual relationships with news media, public officials, and agency stakeholders.
• Experience developing and applying marketing strategies, promotional materials, and outreach plans.
• Experience writing press releases, official statements and testimonies for public agency programs and events.
• Experience disseminating information to community-based non-profit and civic organizations, state agencies, news media and the public.
• Experience drafting agency legislative proposals.
• Experience serving as a liaison between a state agency and the Connecticut General Assembly.

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.