STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Recovery Support Specialist (35 Hour)

Office/On-site

Recruitment #260629-5729HN-001

Introduction

Agency Banner, Connecticut Mental Health and Addiction Services

Looking for an exciting opportunity to make a real impact?
Join us and be part of a revolutionary team shaping the future!

Connecticut Valley Hospital (CVH), under the umbrella of the State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is seeking a qualified individual to join our team as a Recovery Support Specialist (PCN 103620). This compassionate, recovery-focused professional will provide recovery support services as a part of our Patient Central Services team in Middletown. Find out more information on this great opportunity below!

DMHAS is moving toward requiring the Certified Peer Support & Recovery Professional (CPSRP) credential. Visit our CPSRP Credential page to learn more.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
Off Off 11:30am to 7:00pm 11:30am to 7:00pm 9:00am to 4:30pm 9:00 am to 4:30pm 9:00 am to 4:30pm

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU:

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING:
  • Provide strength‑based, client‑centered, and trauma‑informed rehabilitative services
  • Support patients in building skills, developing natural supports, and forming positive community connections
  • Help individuals identify and achieve their personalized recovery goals
  • Serve as a trusted mentor and positive role model rooted in trust, hope, respect, safety, and wellness
  • Deliver peer support, skill development, education, and communication coaching
  • Assist with crisis management and recovery‑focused interventions
  • Guide patients in establishing healthy boundaries and navigating challenging situations
  • Promote recovery, resilience, and active engagement in treatment
  • Collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary team members across inpatient treatment settings
  • Support individuals preparing for successful reintegration into the community
MORE ABOUT THE AGENCY AND FACILITIES:

The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (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.

The Connecticut Valley Hospital boasts a rich history first opening its doors over 150 years ago in 1868. As the State’s public hospital we provide treatment of mental illness and currently comprised of 18 inpatient units over two campuses (Middletown and Hartford). In our operational framework, recovery is defined as a process of restoring or developing a positive and meaningful sense of identity apart from one’s condition and then rebuilding one’s life in the fullest sense. Recovery is an individualized patient-centered approach. Achieving and maintaining an optimal state of health and wellness is integrated in our recovery approach. Individuals acquire and practice life skills that will assist them in their recovery process.

Start with us! Stay with us! Grow with us!

Please note:
This image shows a career progression pathway within the State of Connecticut: starting with Recovery Support Specialist Trainee and ending at Recovery Support Specialist (Outlined to show the current opening).

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: 

  • 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.
  • This employer may participate in E‑Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information to confirm work authorization.

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 Joseph K. Fried at Joseph.Fried@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 using shared life experiences and recovery management techniques to engage, motivate, educate and mentor clients in achieving individualized goals for successful community living.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Guides clients through the process of defining personal goals for their recovery plan using existing evidence-based workbooks or person-centered planning tools; 
  • Supports and guides clients in following tasks outlined in their recovery plan (i.e., pursuing goals related to employment, education, community involvement and the use of natural supports); 
  • Guides clients in identifying and exercising their rights; 
  • Participates in rehabilitative and recovery-oriented interventions to meet client needs and goals; 
  • Provides information and support to clients and encourages their development of community networks and activities relating to community integration; 
  • Provides instruction and skill training in recovery management to clients and families; 
  • Acts as a peer health navigator to engage clients who have, or are at risk for, co-morbid medical conditions in wellness activities; 
  • Supports clients to secure information about resources relevant to their wellness; 
  • Supports clients in obtaining services that meet their recovery needs; 
  • Supports clients in dealing with internal and external stress; 
  • Attends medical/clinical appointments with clients in a peer capacity; 
  • Accompanies clients as peers on volunteer opportunities and activities; 
  • Organizes and conducts workshops on topics related to recovery and wellness including New Employee Orientation at the local level; 
  • Observes and reports clients’ behavior; 
  • Prepares and submits incident or other related forms; 
  • Updates clients’ notes in the medical record as required; 
  • Enters computerized data as required; 
  • May coach adaptive client behaviors through verbal communication; 
  • May provide outreach and transportation; 
  • Performs related duties as required.
INPATIENT SETTINGS:

In addition to the duties listed above, the responsibilities move from providing one-on-one peer support to demonstrating and coaching the client through the development of coping and community adjustment skills and linking the client with important community resources, including:

  • May accompany clients off the unit and on to the hospital campus to practice entering unexpected situations and managing stress and disorientation;
  • May engage and offer peer support to the general hospital population.
Find additional information on this job class here.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Knowledge of
    • community support systems and resources; 
    • person-centered planning, Wellness Recovery Action Planning and other recovery management techniques; 
    • the principles and procedures of psychiatric rehabilitation; 
  • Considerable
    • interpersonal skills; 
    • oral and written communication skills; 
  • Ability to
    • observe and redirect client behavior; 
    • utilize computer software.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Six (6) months of experience working in the mental health and/or substance use recovery field.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

Six (6) months of experience as a Recovery Support Specialist Trainee may be substituted for the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience facilitating peer-led meetings, groups, or activities
  • Experience working in an inpatient, behavioral health setting
  • Experience providing recovery-oriented services for adults with severe mental health and co-occurring substance use disorders
  • Experience working with and communicating as part of a multi-disciplinary team

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a recovery support certification.
  • Incumbents must adhere to the DMHAS Peer Support Ethical Guidelines.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to be bilingual or fluent in American Sign Language.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and maintain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license.

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.