Executive Director Of Psychiatric Security Review Board

The Lamont-Bysiewicz Administration is seeking a dynamic and collaborative individual to serve as the Executive Director of the Psychiatric Securities Review Board (PSRB) for the State of Connecticut. This position is located in Hartford, CT, easily accessible to all major highways.

The Psychiatric Securities Review Board's mission is to protect the safety of Connecticut citizens by ordering treatment, confinement or conditional release of persons acquitted of a crime by reason of mental disease or defect.

What is the PSRB?

The Psychiatric Securities Review Board (PSRB) is a state agency to which the Superior Court commits persons who are found not guilty of a crime by reason of mental disease or mental defect. These individuals are called "acquittees." The PSRB’s responsibility is to review the status of acquittees through an administrative hearing process and order the level of supervision and treatment for the acquittee necessary to protect the public. The Board is governed by Connecticut General Statutes, Sections 17a-580 through 17a-603.

The PSRB, at the time of commitment, takes jurisdiction over the acquittee and decides which hospital an acquittee is to be confined and when and under what circumstances an acquittee can be released into the community.

The Executive Director:       

• Administers and directs all activities of the agency, many of which have statutorily required timelines;
• Schedules and coordinates Board hearings;
• Authors the Board’s orders in the form of a Memorandum of Decision for each acquittee;
• Writes and submits Board recommendations to the Superior Court, as ordered in response to State’s Attorney’s petitions for the continued commitment or discharge of acquittees;
• Acts as the liaison between the Board, courts, attorneys and mental health facilities.

This is a full-time 40 hour per week position, working Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This position is conveniently located at 505 Hudson Street in Hartford, CT.

State of Connecticut employees participate in a competitive benefits plan that includes healthcare coverage, a retirement plan as well as paid time off!

Make an ImpaCT in our State!

Please include a resume within the "Resume Tab" on your submitted application. You may be asked to provide additional information to the Office of the Governor. 

This position is appointed by the Governor in accordance with Section 4-9a of the Connecticut General Statutes.

Per section 17a-581, “No employee of the Division of Criminal Justice or the Public Defender Services Commission shall be a member of the board.”

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Chelsea Moore at Chelsea.Moore@ct.gov.

In the Department of Mental Health, this class acts as Executive Director to the Psychiatric Security Board with delegated authority for administering the programs and activities of the Board in accordance with Section 17a-581 of the Connecticut General Statutes.

Administers and directs programs and activities of Board including development of programs to evaluate and monitor treatment and progress of any person found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect who has been committed to the mental health system by courts; formulates policies and procedures of Board in accordance with state regulations; facilitates coordination of Board hearings and meetings as prescribed by law; serves as Secretary to Board at hearings and meetings; issues Memoranda of Decision and Reports to Court on behalf of the Board; acts as liaison between Board, acquittees, courts, State's Attorneys, mental health facilities and public and private groups; develops and maintains comprehensive data including but not limited to number of acquittee placed under Board jurisdiction, number and outcome of applications for conditional release, discharge and temporary leaves, new crimes committed, types of crimes committed, types of mental disorders, population characteristics such as sex, age, ethnicity and legal status of acquittee; prepares reports and makes recommendations to Board concerning progress of Board in achieving its mandated objectives; collaborates with the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services to develop budget for Board and its program; speaks to lay and professional groups on work of Board; directs, reviews and evaluates work of staff members; may draft legislative proposals; performs related duties as required.

Considerable knowledge of mental health, forensics and/or criminal justice system; considerable knowledge of public and community relations; knowledge of principles and practices involved in care and treatment of emotionally disturbed persons; knowledge of basic principles of public administration; considerable ability to analyze comprehensive data and recommend effective services; considerable ability to establish and maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted in work; considerable ability in oral and written expression; administrative ability; supervisory ability.

Ten (10) years of professional experience dealing with mental health, forensics and/or criminal justice system.

Three (3) years of the General Experience must have been in a management capacity with responsibility for planning, development and implementation of programs and/or projects.

1. College education 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.
2. A Master's degree in public administration, social work, psychology or related fields may be substituted for the General Experience on a year for year basis to a maximum of two (2) years.
3. A Law degree may be substituted for seven (7) years of the General Experience.

• Experience working with and understanding the statutes, policies, procedures and programming of the criminal justice and law enforcement systems.   
• Experience working as a member of an interagency collaboration team.
• Experience working with persons acquitted of a crime by reason of mental disease or defect.
• Experience with supervision and treatment of individuals with mental health conditions who are involved in the criminal justice system.
• Experience working collaboratively with interdisciplinary staff.
• Experience with criminogenic factors, risk assessment and management of individuals with mental disease or defect.

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.