STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Associate Professional Counselor (40 Hour)

Office/On-Site

Recruitment #230516-4249FP-002

Introduction



Are you a Licensed Professional Counselor?  
Do you enjoy making a difference in the lives of those you work with?
If so, we encourage you to apply now!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is seeking two (2) qualified and experienced individuals to fill the role of Associate Professional Counselor at Southwest Connecticut Mental Health Center (SWCMHS)!  These positions are considered Regional, covering all of Fairfield County and will be rotating between Bridgeport and Stamford locations.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:
  • Work Schedule: Full time (40 hours)
    • PCN 128797: Second Shift, (4:00 P.M. - 12:30 A.M.), Every other weekend and rotating holidays
    • PCN 130516: Third Shift, (12:15 A.M. - 8:15 A.M.), Every other weekend and rotating holidays
  • Facility: Greater Bridgeport Community Mental Health Center (GBCMHC)
  • Unit: Mobile Crisis Unit 
  • Location: 1635 Central Avenue, Bridgeport, CT

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU:

  • To work for a Forbes top company: ‘Forbes’ State of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023 - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule;
  • Comprehensive benefits plan that includes industry leading health benefits with medical and dental coverage
  • Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings; 
  • Retirement healthcare offerings; 
  • Accrued vacation, personal and sick leave; 
  • 13 paid holidays per calendar year; 
  • Professional growth and development opportunities; and
  • Outstanding work-life balance!
Please Note: As a loan forgiveness organization, you may be able to qualify for one or more State or Federal loan forgiveness programs.
DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO:
  • Be an active member of an interdisciplinary treatment team that is passionate about improving the lives of those we serve;
  • Work with our clients so they can achieve success; and
  • Work together in a collaborative team environment.
MORE 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.

SWCMHS is responsible for the oversight and management of contracts with private not-for-profit agencies and residential providers providing mental health services in the southwest region of the state.  With locations in Bridgeport and Stamford, SWCMHS provides inpatient, outpatient and assertive community treatment (ACT) services and community support services for adults with severe behavioral health disabilities; mental health services for people who are deaf or hearing impaired and a mobile crisis intervention team. SWCMHS also provides outreach to people who are homeless and mentally ill. Special agency programs include Shelter Plus Care, a housing program for people who are homeless and who have a history of substance abuse or mental illness or who have AIDS. 

Watch the video below to learn more about becoming a State of CT employee!

                                               

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:
Please visit our 'Applicant Tips on How to Apply' page.

This position may be subject to Federal requirements for COVID 19 Vaccination Immunization.

To Apply:
  • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
  • You must specify your qualifications on your application. You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system.
  • In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.
  • All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
  • This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules.
Important Next Step Information for After You Apply:
  • Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
  • This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.
  • Note: At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
  • Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
  • 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 which is available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
Connect With Us:
  • Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process.
  • Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment please contact Nicole Frascatore via email at nicole.frascatore@ct.gov.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

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.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

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.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

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

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of experience as a licensed professional counselor with some experience working in a behavioral health facility or in a juvenile justice setting.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience writing an Emergency Certificate in the community.
  • Experience engaging in consultation with community providers such as non-profits, hospitals, elderly protective services, etc.
  • Experience working collaboratively with first responders such as police and EMS.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  1. Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a license to practice professional counselor work pursuant to Sec. 20-195 (a-f) of the Connecticut General Statutes.
  2. Incumbents in this class may be required to have knowledge of sign language and communication ability with the deaf and hearing impaired in certain designated positions.
  3. Incumbents in this class may be required to have ability in Spanish oral and written communication in certain designated positions.
  4. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

WORKING CONDITIONS

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

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.