West Hartford Creates New Full-Time Social Services Position

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Saying the current staffing situation within the town's social service department is insufficient, local leaders last week expanded the roster with a new full-time official.

The West Hartford Town Council voted unanimously Feb. 10 to add a full-time position in the town's Department of Social Services to support federally funded Community Development Block Grant programs.

The resolution passed 8-0 at the council’s Feb. 10 meeting, with Deputy Mayor Debra Polun absent. The motion was made by Councilor Tiffani McGinnis and seconded by Councilor Lisa Lazarus.

In a memo to the council, West Hartford Town Manager Rick Ledwith said the Social Services Department oversees the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, which funds the town’s food pantry, housing rehabilitation programs, and volunteer services for income-eligible residents.

Ledwith wrote that the current staffing structure — one full-time and six part-time employees — is “inefficient, experiences labor shortages, and does not meet the increasing demand for program services.”

The proposal restructures staffing to two full-time and two part-time employees.

The new position, titled "Program Specialist," is classified as Professional/Management – Grade C, with a salary range of $59,488 to $69,602.

According to Ledwith, funding is available in the current fiscal year due to part-time staff vacancies, and the position will be fully funded through the CDBG budget rather than the town’s general fund.

“Town Council adoption of this resolution will not have a direct impact on the fiscal year 2025-2026 General Fund budget,” Ledwith wrote.

He added that the position would begin in the third quarter of the fiscal year.

The job description was developed by the social services and human resources departments and approved by the SEIU labor union.

The West Hartford corporation counsel’s office reviewed and approved the resolution’s form and legality.

The position will be posted following the council’s adoption of the resolution.

For the minutes of the Feb. 10 West Hartford Town Council meeting, click on this link.