STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Behavioral Health Director Of Forensic Services

Hybrid

Recruitment #241017-5707MP-001

Introduction

Do you want to make a difference while participating in a dynamic and reciprocal health care environment in the public sector? If so, we have an excellent opportunity for you to join our hospital’s team! 

THE POSITION
The State of ConnecticutDepartment of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is currently accepting applications for the position of Behavioral Health Director of Forensic Services. This position will be responsible for the oversight of statewide forensic services funded or provided by DMHAS, both administratively and clinically. 

HIGHLIGHTS
  • FACILITY: Office of the Commissioner 
  • UNIT: Division of Forensic Services
  • LOCATION: Middletown, CT
  • SCHEDULE: Full-Time, 40 Hours per Week, First Shift, Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm 
  • POSITION NUMBER: 144621

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO 
  • Be a part of a comprehensive team of caring professionals
  • Provide support to a division that is passionate about improving the lives of those we serve
  • Assist our clients so they can achieve success
  • Make a difference in the public sector
  • Work together in a collaborative team environment
ABOUT US 
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. 

The DMHAS Division of Forensic Services is established to implement and coordinate specially-skilled evaluation and treatment services for individuals with serious mental illness and/or substance use disorders who become involved in the criminal justice system, and to serve the courts and other components of the criminal justice system.

The five major components of the Division of Forensic Services provide clinical programming, specialized consultation and evaluation services, specific intervention programs to divert people from the criminal justice system and into treatment where possible, programs to help people re-enter community living successfully after a period of incarceration, and training and consultation to the criminal justice system. In all these efforts, one of the overarching goals is the decriminalization of mental illness.

PLEASE NOTE

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING: 

Please read or watch our Applicant Tips on How to Apply!


Please Note: 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.

TO APPLY
  • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified. 
  • In order to receive educational credits toward qualification for this job posting, 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 recruiter listed on this job posting.
  • You must specify your qualifications on your application. You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system.
  • In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.
  • 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.
  • This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules.
AFTER YOU APPLY 
  • Although applicants will receive correspondence via email and/or phone, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process. 
  • This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.
  • NOTE: At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
  • Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position. Read through this helpful link to prepare for your interview.
  • 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 which is available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
    CONNECT WITH US 
    • Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process.
    • Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Jensine Tran at jensine.tran@ct.gov

    PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

    In the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services this class is accountable for administering the programs and operations of forensic services.

    EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

    • Administers staff and operations of forensic services for department;
    • Supervises Directs assigned staff in execution of clinical and administrative responsibilities ensuring activities and practices in conformance with statutes and departmental policies;
    • Works cooperatively with law enforcement and judicial officials to improve services to citizens with mental illness and/or substance use disorders;
    • Develops and maintains a database to assist in planning and evaluation activities;
    • Works with facilities, public and private groups, advisory and review boards to achieve continuity of services for offenders with mental illness and/or substance use disorders and encourage development of programs;
    • Assists Commissioner in annual review of department sponsored programs;
    • Acts as departmental liaison with forensic advisory and review boards including Psychiatric Security Review Board;
    • Maintains active citizens involvement in mental health and/or substance use system;
    • Leads the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
    • Performs related duties as required.

    KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

    • Considerable knowledge of
      • and ability to apply management principles and practices;
      • forensic behavioral health and criminal justice systems;
      • various methods of evaluation and treatment of mental illness in context of criminal justice and judicial systems;
      • public and community relations;
    • Knowledge of basic principles of public administration;
    • Considerable
      • Interpersonal skills;
      • oral and written communication skills;
    • Considerable ability to analyze comprehensive data and recommend effective services.

    MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

    A Masters Degree in a clinical discipline, public health administration, health care administration or hospital administration and ten (10) years of professional experience in behavioral health.

    MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

    Three (3) years of the General Experience must have been in an administrative capacity one (1) year of which must have been in behavioral health services in criminal justice or law enforcement systems.

    MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

    • A Doctorate degree in medicine and completion of a residency program in psychiatry may be substituted for the General Experience.
    • A Doctorate degree in clinical psychology may be substituted for seven (7) years of the General Experience.

    PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

    • Experience in Forensics, private or public sector

    SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

    • Incumbents in this class who are physicians, psychiatrists or psychologists must be eligible to obtain a license to practice in Connecticut and must obtain one within six months of employment and retain it during the course of employment.
    • Incumbents in this class who are physicians or psychiatrists may be required to be board certified in internal medicine, or psychiatry
    • Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

    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.