Developmental Specialist 1 (40 Hour)(Hybrid)

Developmental Specialist 1 (40 Hour)

Hybrid

Recruitment #260915-2558FP-001

Location Wallingford, CT

Date Opened 9/16/2026 12:00:00 AM Salary $82,454 - $111,760/year (New State employees start at the minimum of the range.) Job Type Open to the Public Close Date 9/24/2026 11:59:00 PM

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Introduction

Do you possess a Masters or Doctorate degree in psychology, educational psychology, rehabilitative psychology, community psychology, experimental psychology or other related degree from a program accredited by a regional educational board and one (1) year of experience in treating and/or working with the individuals in the appropriate specialty serviced by the agency? If so, we invite you to take this opportunity to consider applying for the Developmental Specialist 1 position below!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Developmental Services (DDS) - South Region - is accepting applications for a Developmental Specialist 1 position assigned to DDS Public Programs in Wallingford, CT.

DDS is seeking a dedicated and compassionate professional to join our team and play a critical role in promoting the health, safety, well-being, and quality of life of the individuals we support. In this position, you will have the opportunity to apply your expertise in behavioral and developmental services while working as part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary team.

As a Developmental Specialist 1, you will develop and implement behavioral programs and individual treatment plans, observe and assess individual behavior, collect and analyze behavioral and environmental data, and train direct care staff in the effective implementation of treatment strategies. You will collaborate with families, direct care staff, allied professionals, and community partners to develop individualized approaches that support positive outcomes and meaningful participation in the community.

You will also contribute to behavioral analysis, rehabilitation, program development and evaluation, educational and vocational assessment, research, and community outreach. Your responsibilities may include providing individual and group therapy and family counseling, conducting and interpreting assessments, preparing comprehensive reports and progress notes, participating in clinical and interdisciplinary case conferences, and providing consultation based on your specialized expertise. You may also have the opportunity to serve as a Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional (QIDP).

If you are looking for a rewarding career where your knowledge, compassion, and dedication can make a lasting difference in the lives of others, we encourage you to apply today and become part of the DDS team!

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Position Highlights: PCN #22242

• Full-time | 1st Shift | 40 hours per week | Hybrid
• Monday - Friday | 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
• However, flexibility is required to meet the needs of the agency.
• A hybrid schedule will be available following successful completion of the incumbent's Working Test Period.

What we can offer you:

• View our State Employee Benefits Overview page!
• Professional growth and paid professional development opportunities.
• A healthy work-life balance to all employees!
• The State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service. Click here for more information.

DDS Mission Statement:

The mission of the Department of Developmental Servicers is to partner with the individuals we support and their families, to support lifelong planning and to join with others to create and promote meaningful opportunities for individuals to fully participate as valued members of their communities.

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:

Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library 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.
• 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:

• 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.

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 Rocky Young at Rocky.Young@ct.gov

If you require an accommodation to participate fully and fairly under the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact Edward Magnano, EEO Manager at (860) 418 - 6148 or Edward.Magnano@ct.gov

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state health care facility, community based health care program or correctional facility this class is accountable for conducting evaluations and therapy and providing services involving behavior modification, data collection and analysis, educational/vocational assessment and placement and/or program development and evaluation under close supervision.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Under supervision, develops and implements behavioral programs and/or individual treatment plans and trains direct care staff in their implementation;
• Observes individual behavior;
• Collects individual behavioral and environmental data;
• Consults with allied professionals, families, direct care staff and community liaison workers on treatment planning, therapies and/or individual cases;
• Prepares case notes and progress notes;
• Participates in behavior analysis and adjustment, milieu therapy, research, educational/vocational assessment and placement, rehabilitation, data collection and analysis, program development and evaluation, behavioral techniques and community outreach;
• Selects and administers objective and projective psycho-diagnostic tests;
• Interprets test results;
• Assesses individual intellectual status through observation and if individual abilities accommodate, conduct interview;
• Writes reports including profiles on intellectual functioning and personality organization;
• Provides individual and group therapy and family counseling;
• Participates in clinical and interdisciplinary case conferences and staff meetings;
• May provide consultation according to specialized expertise;
• May serve as a Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional;
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Knowledge of

• general psychological theory and its application to treatment, rehabilitation and research programs;

• statistics, data interpretation and experimental design;

• diagnostic procedures and their use in developing treatment plans;

• Considerable

• interpersonal skills;

• oral and written communication skills;

• Ability to

• develop treatment plans;

• conduct individual and group psychotherapy;

• provide consultation and training services;

• utilize computer software.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

A Masters or Doctorate degree in psychology, educational psychology, rehabilitative psychology, community psychology, experimental psychology or other related degree from a program accredited by a regional educational board and one (1) year of experience in treating and/or working with the individuals in the appropriate specialty serviced by the agency.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working with adults with Intellectual Disabilities (ID) and/or Developmental disorders.
• Experience providing clinical behavior support for individuals living in supported settings in the community.
• Experience writing behavioral guidelines and Positive Behavior Support Plans.
• Experience collecting behavioral data to guide interventions and treatment.
• Experience with complex clinical needs of individuals with significant mental health struggles and forensic involvement.
• Experience with community mental health resources for individuals/families.
• Experience with clinical assessment, including but not limited to diagnostic criteria using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-VTR).
• Experience with problem solving and independently researching and finding solutions to complex situations.
• Experience working collaboratively with other State Agencies and Programs.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be required to lift and restrain individuals; may have some exposure to communicable/infectious diseases and to risk of injury from individuals.

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.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.

Click on a link below to apply for this position:

Fill out the Supplemental Questionnaire and Application NOW using the Internet. Apply Online