Correctional Substance Abuse Counselor Trainee

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING: 

Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library 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.
• 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 Alejandro G. Dávila-Hurtado at alejandro.davila-hurtado@ct.gov.

Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!

In a Department of Correction facility or community setting this class is accountable for receiving intensive training in individual or group substance abuse counseling services to offenders.

• Receives training in agency substance abuse counseling procedures, offender rehabilitation programs, personnel policies, program guidelines and legal reporting requirements;
• Receives training in and is given progressively complex assignments involving utilization of interviewing techniques required to assess client needs, elicit information and establish community referral sources;
• Provides basic counseling services to a limited number of alcohol and drug dependent offenders;
• Participates in screening offenders to determine eligibility for programs;
• Assists in orientation of offenders to treatment programs;
• Prepares initial treatment plans, psycho-social evaluation, case histories and other case records as components of a small assigned caseload;
• Refers offenders and family members for community or social services, medical or psychological services or housing, financial and employment assistance;
• Motivates offenders to increase their ability to understand and cope with problems, frustration and anxiety;
• Assists with crisis intervention services in response to emotional and/or physical distress;
• Assists in maintaining treatment files;
• Performs greater number of specific and complex substance abuse counselor duties and maintains a larger caseload as skills are acquired during training program;
• Performs related duties as required.

• Knowledge of
  • addictions, recovery and/or relapse prevention;
  • sociological and psychological concepts with emphasis on analysis of criminal behavior;
  • individual and group behavior;
  • cultural competencies and ethical standards;
• Skills
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to
  • relate to different cultural and economic backgrounds;
  • organize time, set priorities and manage workload;
  • utilize computer software.

Three (3) years of experience in casework and/or counseling with some work with clients/offenders with behavioral healthcare issues.

College training in human behavior may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equaling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of three (3) years.

• Experience working in addiction, relapse, recovery or counseling related field;
• Degree in addiction, counseling, or criminal justice related field;
• Experience with Medicated Assisted Treatment;
• Experience working with offender populations; and
• Experience working with different cultural and economic backgrounds.

• Incumbents in this class are required to possess a high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certification at the time of appointment.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to successfully complete a formal training course in correctional work to develop the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the class.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to speak a foreign language.

• Incumbents in this class must have general good health, be free from any disease or injury which would impair health or usefulness and retain sufficient physical strength, stamina, agility, endurance and visual and auditory acuity required to perform all the duties of the class.
• A comprehensive medical examination, including a controlled substance screening, will be required of all applicants upon a conditional offer of employment.

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to considerable danger of injury or assault by offenders.

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.

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.