STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Certified Addiction Counselor

Full-time & Part-time | Office/On-site

Recruitment #260227-2351FX-001

Introduction


Elevate your career as a Certified Addiction Counselor! 🤝

The State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is hiring two (2) Certified Addiction Counselors to support recovery-focused services at Connecticut Valley Hospital (CVH) within the Addiction Services Division (ASD). These positions play a key role in providing compassionate, person-centered care to individuals participating in residential addiction treatment. 

POSITION 1: CERTIFIED ADDICTION COUNSELOR | FULL-TIME
  • FACILITY: Connecticut Valley Hospital (CVH)
  • ADDRESS: 1000 Silver Street, Middletown, CT
  • DIVISION: Addiction Services Division (ASD)
  • UNIT: Merritt 2DE
  • SCHEDULE: Full-time (40 hours/week), Second Shift, Sunday-Thursday, 12:00 PM - 8:30 PM
  • POSITION NUMBER: 136842
POSITION 2: CERTIFIED ADDICTION COUNSELOR | PART-TIME
  • FACILITY: Connecticut Valley Hospital (CVH)
  • ADDRESS: 1000 Silver Street, Middletown, CT
  • DIVISION: Addiction Services Division (ASD)
  • UNIT: Merritt 2DE
  • SCHEDULE: Part-time (32 hours/week), Second Shift, Sunday-Wednesday, 12:00 PM - 8:30 PM
  • POSITION NUMBER: 139981
WHY THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT:
*Benefits may vary with part-time positions
    IN THESE ROLES YOU WILL:
    • Provide active treatment services aligned with CMS and 1115 waiver requirements
    • Facilitate group therapy sessions in accordance with program expectations (approximately 15 hours of group programming weekly)
    • Conduct weekly individual counseling sessions
    • Support case management, including discharge planning and care coordination
    • Help clients access community resources and long‑term recovery supports
    • Oversee daily therapeutic activities within the treatment environment
    • Transport clients to medical and recovery-related appointments as needed
    • Participate in treatment planning, progress assessment, and clinical documentation
    • Contribute to a supportive and collaborative treatment teams
    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.

    CVH is the state’s flagship public hospital for mental health and addiction treatment. As the largest facility within DMHAS, CVH provides a full continuum of inpatient and outpatient psychiatric care, substance use treatment, and specialized services for individuals with co‑occurring disorders. The hospital also offers programs supporting older adults, young adults, and individuals with traumatic brain injuries, all focused on recovery, rehabilitation, and community reintegration.

    ABOUT THE UNIT:
    Merritt 2DE is a 30 bed rehabilitation unit providing American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) level 3.7 intensive rehabilitation treatment. This unit specialized in trauma informed care, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and a variety of other clinical approaches to provide holistic care to the individuals we serve. A full range of medication-assisted treatment is also offered. This is a forensic unit serving CSSD based individuals who come from DOC and probation/parole referrals.

    Please note:

    Selection Plan

    SALARY INFORMATION:

    • Hourly (Part-time): $35.13* - $46.46 (*New state employees start at minimum)
    • Yearly (Full-time): $73,339* -$97,000 (*New state employees start at minimum)

    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 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 Departments of Mental Health and Addiction Services and Veterans' Affairs this class is accountable for providing specialized counseling services to clients in a behavioral health treatment program.

    EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

    • Provides counseling services to alcohol and drug dependent clients; 
    • Screens clients to determine eligibility for programs; 
    • Assesses strengths, weaknesses and treatment needs; 
    • Orients clients to treatment program; 
    • Participates in treatment planning and individual and/or group counseling; 
    • Responsible for case management activities; 
    • Provides crisis intervention services in response to emotional and/or physical distress; 
    • Makes referrals to outside or other programs for medical and/or psychological intervention; 
    • Maintains confidential reports and records of client data; 
    • Represents program at community events and seminars; 
    • Educates clients on substance abuse issues and availability of resources; 
    • Consults with service providers to assure comprehensive integrated care; 
    • May escort clients; 
    • May provide coverage duties; 
    • May collect urine for drug screening; 
    • Performs related duties as required.

    KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

    • Knowledge of
      • physical, psychological, social, family and economic effects of substance abuse; 
      • counseling principles and techniques; 
      • community resources; 
      • confidentiality provisions; 
      • infectious diseases; 
    • Considerable
      • interpersonal skills; 
      • oral and written communication skills; 
    • Ability to gather, analyze and evaluate information pertinent to treatment, diagnosis and rehabilitation of an individual.

    MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

    Certification from the Connecticut Department of Public Health as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor and three (3) years of experience involving risk reduction education and counseling to assist alcohol and drug dependent individuals.

    MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

    • Licensure from the Connecticut Department of Public Health as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor may be substituted for the General Experience.
    • For state employees three (3) years of experience as a Certified Addiction Counselor Trainee may be substituted for the General Experience.

    PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

    • Experience working in a hospital or behavioral health setting providing care and treatment to clients with substance use and mental health disorders.
    • Experience providing counselling in a group setting to patients with substance use and mental health disorders.
    • Experience formulating treatment goals and objectives as they relate to treating clients with substance use and mental health disorders.
    • Experience with case management.
    • Experience with referring clients to community resources and supports.
    • Licensure from the Connecticut Department of Public Health as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor
    • Valid Driver's license

    SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

    • Incumbents in this class must retain the certification and/or licensure outlined above.
    • Individuals recovering from addiction to alcohol or drugs are required to have two (2) years of substance free time to be considered for a position in a substance abuse program.
    • Incumbents in this class may be required to speak a foreign language or be fluent in American Sign Language.
    • Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid driver's license.
    • Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

    PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

    A medical and/or psychiatric examination may be required prior to appointment.

    WORKING CONDITIONS

    Incumbents in this class may be required to perform moderate amounts of lifting or restraining of patients and exposed to communicable and/or infectious diseases and risk of injury from assaultive and/or abusive patients.

    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.


    Click on a link below to apply for this position:

    Fill out the Supplemental Questionnaire and Application NOW using the Internet.