STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Professional Counselor (35 Hour)

Office/On-site

Recruitment #220427-6355HC-003

Introduction



Do you have a passion for providing high quality care? 
If so, we encourage you to consider joining our dynamic team! 

The State of Connecticut, Department of Correction (DOC) is seeking two (2) highly motivated and experienced licensed Professional Counselors to join our team at the MacDougall Walker Correctional Institution, located in Suffield, CT. 

Position Highlights: 

Licensed Professional Counselors within the correctional setting provide a range of clinical and case management functions to those entering the custody of the Department of Correction. The incumbent in this position will have the opportunity to work within a clinically rich setting, with opportunities to provide intake assessments, individual psychotherapy, crisis management, suicide risk assessment, case management services or other clinical activities. 

Additional opportunities to engage in collaborative discharge planning with external support services and research driven programming, are also encouraged and available. 

Professional Counselors at the MacDougall Walker Correctional Institution work within a dynamic, multidisciplinary team comprised of social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists and APRN's, as well as medical personnel and custody staff, all sharing the common goal of providing high quality, service oriented care. 

The current positions are first shift, Monday to Friday (35 hours per week), working 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM with rotating weekends and holidays. 

Some key responsibilities include: 
  • Conducting group treatment from problematic sexual behavior according to best practice in the field, according to the risk-need-responsivity model; 
  • Conducting comprehensive evaluations to assist in sex offender treatment planning and classification within CT DOC (to include static and dynamic risk assessment measures). 
  • Collaborating with custody, law enforcement, and the judicial system to incorporate treatment objectives.

In addition to the Preferred Qualifications below, the ideal candidate will possess: 
  • An interest in working with inmates with problem sexual behavior and has some experience working with this population; 
  • Training in the implementation of sex offender assessment and treatment skills, and has the ability to integrate these skills within the correctional setting; 
  • The ability to maintain strict confidentiality with regard to client's criminal records;
  • The ability to self-monitor and self-advocate, seeking supervision when indicated from an off-site clinical supervisor. 
What we can offer you: 

State of Connecticut employees participate in a comprehensive benefits plan including: 
  • A Hazardous Duty pension plan (State Employees Retirement System Tier IV); 
  • Excellent health and dental benefits;
  • Retire in 25 years - with pension & healthcare benefits; 
  • Additional supplemental benefits
Watch below to learn how you can make an impact with DOC
             

Selection Plan

Application Process:

In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.

In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the minimum qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date, unless otherwise specified.

The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.

All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.

Please ensure that your application is complete. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the state of Connecticut.

Selection Process:

This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs) which will be sent to you via email after the closing date. The email notification will include an expiration date by which you must submit (Finish) your responses. Please regularly check your email for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders, as emails could end up there in error.

During the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation supporting their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: performance reviews, supervisory references, college transcripts, licensure, etc. at the discretion of the agency.

Contact Information:

Should you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Tyler Cashman at Tyler.Cashman@ct.gov.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency behavioral health program as part of a multi-disciplinary team at one or more locations this class is accountable for independently providing clinical counseling services.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

As a member of a multi-disciplinary clinical team or within a network of community based behavioral health services provides case management, needs assessment and supportive counseling in addressing client strengths, weaknesses and needs; develops, implements and maintains individualized treatment and rehabilitation plans for clients; works with treatment teams to assist individual patients in achieving social and emotional stability; develops psychosocial assessments through clinical interviews; provides clinical treatment services such as: triage, crisis intervention, individual and/or group counseling, screening and planning; makes use of available community services and facilities to assist clients in meeting identified needs; interprets and synthesizes client information, professional observations and evaluation reports in order to form professional judgments about services; monitors and evaluates effectiveness of treatment plans, documents treatment in clinical records; completes reports in accordance with agency and accrediting bodies; consults and collaborates with other behavioral health providers to improve delivery of services to clients; maintains counseling treatment and standards as required; performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Knowledge of principles, methodology, casework and techniques of counseling, interviewing and psychosocial assessment; knowledge of family and interpersonal relationship dynamics; knowledge of values, sanctions, purposes and ethics of professional counseling work; knowledge of community resources; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; ability to devise and implement a treatment plan with measurable goals that address client needs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Licensure as a professional counselor in the State of Connecticut with some experience working in a behavioral health facility or in a juvenile justice setting.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

The preferred candidate will possess:
  • Correctional or Forensic behavioral health treatment experience; 
  • Experience with crisis intervention; 
  • Experience with behavior management; 
  • Experience with individual and group psychotherapy; 
  • Experience with criminal justice involving adults;
  • Experience conducting sex offender assessments; 
  • Experience providing group programming for problem sexual behavior; 
  • Experience providing independent, research driven, decision making regarding risk determination and delivery through comprehensive written reports. 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a license to practice professional counselor work pursuant to Sec. 20-195 (a-f) of the Connecticut General Statutes.
2. Incumbents in this class may be required to have knowledge of sign language and communication ability with the deaf and hearing impaired in certain designated positions.
3. Incumbents in this class may be required to have ability in Spanish oral and written communication in certain designated positions.
4. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to some risk of injury from assaultive and/or abusive clients.

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.