Advanced Professional Counselor (20 Hour)

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: 

• Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates—such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links—please check your Personal Status Board regularly.
• For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select “Update My Contact Information.”
• 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 Julie Barker at Julie.Barker@ct.gov.   

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

In a state agency behavioral health program as part of a multi-disciplinary team at one or more locations this class is accountable for skilled clinical counseling treatment and leadership services involving complex case assignments.

• Independently provides highly skilled direct professional counseling treatment services to clients with complex emotional, behavioral or interpersonal problems through comprehensive clinical assessments and provision of individual, family and group treatment; 
• Provides individual field work instruction and/or clinical supervision which includes instruction in use of comprehensive psychosocial assessments, case management, needs assessment and supportive counseling; 
• Develops and maintains comprehensive treatment and/or rehabilitation plans including measurable treatment objectives; 
• Initiates consultation and collaboration with other mental health providers to improve delivery of current services and/or identify unmet needs within current service system; 
• Assists in resolution of administrative, personnel and clinical issues in program; 
• Develops data for statistical and planning systems and/or research and publication; 
• Prepares administrative reports and suggests operational policies and procedures; 
• Oversees development and/or implementation of individual client treatment plans; 
• May be assigned administrative oversight of research projects; 
• May provide expert testimony to courts; 
• May represent program in liaison relationships with other community agencies and resources; 
• May chair or serve on unit committees that develop services for clients; 
• Performs related duties as required.

• Considerable knowledge of
  • and ability to instruct others on principles, methodology, casework and techniques of counseling, interviewing and psychosocial assessment; 
  • family and interpersonal relationship dynamics; 
• Knowledge of
  • statutes, regulations and standards relating to mental health services; 
  • state law governing licensed professional counselor practice standards; 
• Considerable
  • interpersonal skills; 
  • oral and written communication skills; 
• Ability to
  • integrate theory and case material in assessing and devising comprehensive treatment plans for difficult and/or complex case assignments; 
  • lead task groups including but not limited to treatment teams.

One (1) year of experience as a licensed professional counselor.

• Experience performing intake (psychosocial) assessments and initial care planning.
• Experience completing community-based crisis assessments.
• Experience completing risk assessments and developing risk mitigation plans.
• Experience providing trauma informed services to individuals with severe and prolonged mental illness, addiction and co-morbid medial conditions.

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

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.