Introduction
Ready to lead operational excellence in a hospital dedicated to trauma-informed, recovery-oriented behavioral healthcare?
Become a key executive leader at Connecticut Valley Hospital!
Connecticut Valley Hospital (CVH), part of the State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), is seeking an experienced and mission‑driven behavioral health leader to serve as our next Chief Operating Officer (Mental Health Superintendent 1). This pivotal role will guide the hospital's clinical and administrative operations, support a culture of recovery and wellness, and ensure high-quality, patient-centered care across two campuses. If you are a senior healthcare leader committed to safety, quality, and operational excellence, we invite you to explore this opportunity. Read below to learn more!
ABOUT DMHAS & CONNECTICUT VALLEY HOSPITAL
The Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is a statewide healthcare system dedicated to promoting recovery, wellness, and independence for individuals with behavioral health needs. Through an integrated network of services, DMHAS supports dignity, respect, and self‑sufficiency for the people we serve.
Connecticut Valley Hospital (CVH) is the state’s largest psychiatric hospital, operating 17 inpatient units across two campuses in Middletown and Hartford. CVH provides trauma‑informed, gender‑responsive treatment through its Addiction Services Division and General Psychiatry Division, all grounded in a “Recovery to Wellness” framework. As a key leader at CVH, you will help shape the strategic direction of a complex, mission‑driven hospital serving individuals across Connecticut.
WHY THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT:
- Explore our comprehensive State Employee Benefits Overview to see what we offer
- Enjoy endless opportunities for professional growth and development
- Embrace a healthy work/life balance tailored to all employees
- Contribute to a mission that directly improves the lives of individuals with behavioral health needs
IN THIS ROLE, YOU WILL:
- Develop and direct the clinical and administrative programs of a major mental health hospital
- Oversee multidisciplinary teams across 17 inpatient units spanning two campuses
- Ensure compliance with state and federal regulations, accreditation standards, and agency policies
- Advance trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, and patient-centered care practices
- Promote patient safety, quality improvement, and operational efficiency
- Support workforce engagement, staff development, and organizational culture initiatives
- Manage budgets, analyze fiscal data, and ensure responsible stewardship of public resources
- Collaborate with DMHAS leadership, community partners, and internal stakeholders to advance the hospital's mission
Selection Plan
FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:
Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Toolkit 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 by the closing date listed on the job posting.
- 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 Alyssa Hovanec at Alyssa.Hovanec@ct.gov.
Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!
PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)
In the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services this class is accountable for developing and directing the clinical and administrative programs and operations of a mental health facility, hospital or community mental health center.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
- Plans, develops and directs clinical and administrative program at a mental health facility, hospital or community based mental health center in accordance with policies established by the governing body;
- Participates in planning and development of regional mental health service systems;
- Participates in policy and subcommittee meetings;
- Presides at administrative conferences with department heads to formulate policies to meet regional needs;
- Develops and monitors programs;
- Establishes and monitors procedures for facility;
- Confers with visitors, relatives, and professional consultants regarding patients and clients and agency practices;
- Ensures conformance of all facility procedures and programs with relevant statues and regulations;
- Directs preparation and management of budget in conjunction with department heads;
- Assures continued facility accreditation by Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Hospitals;
- 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;
- relevant state and federal laws, statutes, and regulations;
- behavioral health policies and systems;
- principles and practices of public and/or health care administration;
- managed health care systems;
- mental health program planning and development;
- Knowledge of quality assessment and/or improvement techniques and accreditation body standards;
- Considerable
- interpersonal skills;
- oral and written communication skills;
- Considerable ability to collaborate within department, state, community, and agency constituent groups;
- Ability to analyze fiscal data and prepare budgets.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE
A Master's degree or higher in a health related field and at least six (6) years of managerial experience in hospital, health or mental health administration.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience overseeing compliance and privacy responsibilities of a healthcare agency.
- Experience working within a senior management team, overseeing multidisciplinary teams of staff and departments.
- Experience leading and implementing the mission & vision of a healthcare organization.
- Experience in a management capacity directing programs and operations of behavioral health or health care services.
NOTE:
Managerial capacity is defined as formulating program goals and objectives, developing and implementing program procedures, initiating program policies and developing and monitoring a budget.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
- Incumbents in this class may be required to possess the appropriate current license in one of the following areas: clinical social work, marital and family therapist, professional counselor, registered nurse, clinical psychologist, alcohol and drug abuse counselor, 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.