STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Certified Addiction Counselor (40 Hour)

Office/On-site

Recruitment #260429-2351FX-001

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Introduction

“Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services logo with blue text and circular emblem.”
Your path in Addiction Counseling with the State of Connecticut.

Certified Addiction Counselor → Supervising Addiction Counselor

Start. Stay. Grow ↑

We are seeking a compassionate and dedicated professional to support individuals on their recovery journey from mental health and substance use challenges.

The Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is seeking a full‑time (40 hours/week) Certified Addiction Counselor (PCN 139214) for the Capitol Region Mental Health Center (CRMHC) Inpatient Unit in Hartford.

Schedule
• 1st shift: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
• Full‑time, 40 hours per week

What We Can Offer You
• Access to a comprehensive suite of state employee benefits
• NEW: Visit our State Employee Benefits Overview page to explore available options
• Opportunities for professional growth and development
• A commitment to promoting a healthy work/life balance

Position Highlights
• Screen clients to determine treatment needs and develops appropriate treatment plans
• Work within the inpatient unit at Capitol Region Mental Health Center and in outpatient settings alongside clinical teams
• Provide services to Adult Outpatient Clinic Team A, Team B, and the Inpatient Unit
• Deliver services across CRMHC locations at 51 Coventry Street and 500 Vine Street, both offering free on-site parking
• Support outpatient teams located in a single-floor building and the ITU, a secured location housing all primary and ancillary services
• Provide care to ITU clients within the unit, where services are delivered on-site
• Serve a client population with high levels of trauma, often present alongside or worsened by co-occurring disorders
• Use client‑centered approaches to help individuals identify recovery priorities, build strengths, develop skills, and connect with community supports while maintaining confidentiality

A comprehensive medical examination, including drug screening, is required following a conditional offer of employment. All state employees must comply with Connecticut’s Drug‑Free Workplace Policy.

About Us
DMHAS is dedicated to promoting the health and wellness of individuals with behavioral health needs through an integrated, holistic network of services that foster dignity, respect, and self‑sufficiency.

The CRMHC mission is to partner with persons in recovery to ensure access to quality behavioral healthcare services.

Selection Plan

For Assistance in Applying
• Visit the 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 posting by the closing date. These qualifications must be clearly specified on your application.
• Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees accurately. Institutions must be accredited. For foreign education, provide equivalency documentation from a recognized U.S. accrediting service.
• Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21‑69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. Additional documents (cover letter, transcripts, performance reviews, etc.) may be requested later.
• Preferred Shift/Location: Select all locations and shifts you are willing to work. Failure to do so may limit your consideration for specific vacancies.
• Timely Submission: All application materials must be submitted by the posting deadline. Revisions cannot be made after you submit. Late submissions are rarely accepted; applicants may request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov and providing documentation of incapacitating circumstances during the entire posting period.
• Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations may differ between branches of state government.
• How to Apply: The only way to apply is through the “Apply” or “Apply Online” buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center posting.

After You Apply
• Check Your Status: Email providers may delay messages. Regularly review your Personal Status Board for updates, questionnaires, and tasks. You may also enable SMS notifications.
• Referral Questions: You may be required to complete Referral Questions (RQs) after the posting closes. Access them through your email or your Personal Status Board.
• Prepare for an Interview: Only candidates whose experience aligns most closely with the role will be interviewed. Review the Interview Preparation Guide to get ready.
• Stay Connected: Monitor your Personal Status Board daily and check all email folders (including spam).
• Future Vacancies: Applications to this recruitment may be considered for future vacancies in this job class.
• Employment Rules: Positions are filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion, and merit rules. Employees are also bound by the State Code of Ethics (www.ct.gov/ethics).

Questions? We’re Here to Help
Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide individual status updates. For recruitment updates, check your Personal Status Board or review the Frequently Asked Questions. For additional questions about the process, contact Ben Beaudry at Benjamin.Beaudry@ct.gov.

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 with psychiatric and medical comorbidities, as well as the potential impact on behavioral presentation
• Experience working with assessing and/or treating individuals with intellectual and/or psychiatric illness, and other comorbid psychiatric diagnoses
• Experience working with various treatment modalities used when provided services to co-occurring disorder clients, making clinical diagnoses, determining prognosis and developing treatment plans
• Experience using computer software systems, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Teams

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.


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