Introduction
The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), Commissioner's Office is seeking an Administrative Assistant (PCN 23712) to join our team. This position will provide administrative support within our Executive Office in Hartford. Find out more information on this great opportunity below!
POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:
- Work Schedule: Monday - Friday
- Work Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week
- Work Shift: First shift, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- Location: 410 Capitol Ave, Hartford, CT
- Travel: Occasional in-state travel may be required.
This is a hybrid role with 4 days in-office required during the working test period. Increase telework flexibility may be available after, in accordance with State guidelines.
WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING:
- Provide high‑level administrative support to Senior Leaders in the Commissioner's Office.
- Track emergency orders and maintain accurate, up‑to‑date documentation for agency leadership.
- Maintain and update information systems used for funding application reviews, contract oversight, on‑site visits, and quality management activities.
- Collect, organize, and distribute critical incident reports from nonprofit providers.
- Take notes at high‑level public meetings and synthesize key information for internal use.
- Manage calendars for senior leadership, including scheduling meetings, coordinating logistics, and making reservations.
- Coordinate travel arrangements and prepare related documentation.
- During emergency activations, support response activities, which may require occasional evening or weekend work.
MORE ABOUT THE AGENCY AND FACILITIES:
The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), is a health care agency whose mission is to promote the overall health and wellness of persons with behavioral health needs through an integrated network of holistic, comprehensive, effective, and efficient services and supports that foster dignity, respect, and self-sufficiency in those we serve.
Start with us! Stay with us! Grow with us!
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 Joseph K. Fried at Joseph.Fried@ct.gov.
Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!
PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)
In a state agency this class is accountable for independently performing the most complex tasks in providing both office administration and secretarial support for a major program.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
Performs the most complex office administrative duties as described in the following areas:
- TYPING:
- Using computers, tablets, and other electronic equipment, formats and types a full range of correspondence, reports, bills, drafts, etc. from rough draft, transcription, dictated notes, etc.;
- Proofreads for content;
- Edits using knowledge of grammar, punctuation and spelling.
- FILING:
- Designs office filing systems;
- Organizes and maintains files (including confidential files);
- Maintains, updates and reviews references materials and manuals.
- CORRESPONDENCE:
- Composes complex letters and/or memoranda, etc. (e.g., explaining department practices and/or policies) for own or manager's signature.
- REPORT WRITING:
- Researches and assembles information from a variety of sources and prepares statistical and/or narrative reports;
- Analyzes information and may make recommendations.
- INTERPERSONAL:
- Acts for manager by interpreting established policies and procedures, etc.;
- Troubleshoots by relieving manager of as much administrative detail as possible;
- Acts for and regularly makes decisions in manager's absence (within prescribed limits of authority).
- PROCESSING:
- Screens letters, memos, reports and other materials to determine action required;
- May make recommendations to supervisor.
- SECRETARY:
- Arranges and coordinates meetings (including space and equipment);
- Researches, assembles and coordinates meeting materials (e.g., charts, graphs, reports);
- Writes minutes of meetings, lectures, conferences, etc. from rough draft;
- Takes notes and/or meeting minutes;
- Prepares expense accounts;
- Makes travel arrangements.
- OFFICE MANAGEMENT:
- Authorizes purchases and payments (within prescribed limits of authority);
- Develops input and prepares documentation for office and/or department budget;
- Coordinates budget control and monitoring;
- Develops office and/or department procedural manuals;
- Assists in interviewing and hiring office support staff;
- Trains office support staff;
- May supervise office support staff.
- Performs related duties as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY
- Considerable knowledge of
- office administration and management;
- department and/or unit policies and procedures;
- proper grammar, punctuation and spelling;
- business communications;
- Knowledge of business math;
- Considerable
- interpersonal skills;
- oral and written communication skills;
- Ability to
- operate office equipment which includes computers, tablets, and other electronic equipment;
- operate office suite software;
- take notes (shorthand, speedwriting or other method acceptable to manager).
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE
Four (4) years of experience above the routine clerk level in office support or secretarial work.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE
One (1) year of the General Experience must have been as a Secretary 2 or its equivalent.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED
College training in the secretarial sciences may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of 15 semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of two (2) years.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience providing direct administrative support to Chief-suite (C-suite) executives, including preparing confidential correspondence and serving as a liaison between executives and internal and external stakeholders
- Experience coordinating comprehensive travel and logistics for executives, including multi-location site visits and industry conferences
- Experience managing multiple dynamic calendars, prioritizing meetings, and resolving scheduling conflicts in real time
- Experience using advanced features of Microsoft applications, including creating pivot tables in Excel, designing polished presentations in PowerPoint, utilizing Outlook’s meeting and scheduling tools, and using cross-platform collaboration tools such as Teams and SharePoint
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.
About State of Connecticut
The Connecticut General Assembly is composed of the Senate, with more than 30 members, and the House, with about 150 members. About 30 committees composed of both House and Senate members conduct hearings and issue findings. Legislative subject areas addressed by committees include banks, housing, public health, and veterans affairs. Staff offices serving the Connecticut General Assembly include Fiscal Analysis, the Legislative Library, and Legislative Research. Both the Senate and House work through Democratic and Republican caucuses. The General Assembly has established eight commissions, including Auditors of Public Accounts and the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women.
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