STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Supervising Addiction Counselor (40 Hour)

Office/On-site

Recruitment #240307-2352FX-001

Introduction


Elevate your career as a Supervising Addiction Counselor with the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services!
Becoming a driving force for positive change in addiction treatment.
Apply today! 

The State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is currently seeking an experienced and qualified individual for the position of Supervising Addiction Counselor. This position will guide a dedicated team in providing impactful addiction treatment, ensuring the highest standards of care and support for clients. Read below to learn more and start your journey towards a rewarding career! 

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS: 
  • FACILITY: Connecticut Valley Hospital (CVH)
  • DIVISION: Addiction Services Division (ASD)
  • SCHEDULE: Full-time (40 hours weekly), Second Shift (1:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.), Tuesday - Saturday
  • POSITION NUMBER: 128306
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU:
  • The opportunity 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
  • NEW: A Platinum Healthcare Plan, the nation’s best for state employees and dependents, according to a report by Georgetown’s Center on Health Insurance Reform and article by Ellen Andrews, Ph.D., along with comprehensive benefit offerings
  • Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings
  • State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service.  Click here for more information.
  • Generous paid time off, including 13 paid holidays per calendar year
  • Professional growth and development opportunities
  • A healthy work/life balance to all employees
    DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO:
    • Apply your understanding of substance use disorder counseling theory and practice to supervise lower level counseling staff
    • Ensure patient centered treatment focus 
    • Provide group therapies to assist with substance use disorders and mental health from a trauma informed perspective
    • Collaborate as part of a multidisciplinary team to create patient specific treatment plans to foster holistic recovery utilizing American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) dimensions
    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.

    MORE ABOUT THE DIVISION:
    Established in 1868, Connecticut Valley Hospital (CVH) serves as the State's premier public hospital for mental health treatment. As the largest facility within DMHAS, it features 17 inpatient units across Middletown and Hartford campuses, encompassing general psychiatry and addiction services. CVH offers comprehensive inpatient and outpatient psychiatric care, substance abuse treatment, and specialized services for pregnant women and individuals with dual diagnoses. Specialties include geriatric and special services, an integrated mental health network for older adults, and young adult services. Additionally, CVH houses the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) program, addressing survivors' needs through community reintegration, independent living skills development, vocational and educational training, psychiatric assessments, speech and physical rehabilitation, and individual and family counseling.

    The Addiction Services Division is part of Connecticut Valley Hospital and offers 24-hour inpatient services in Middletown and Hartford, providing two levels of care: Acute detoxification for withdrawal and intensive treatment for structured recovery. The Middletown Campus has an acute detox unit and male/female rehabilitation units, while the Hartford Campus includes an acute detox unit and a co-ed rehabilitation unit. Both campuses offer screening services to determine the suitable level of care.

    WHAT SETS US APART - STATE OF CONNECTICUT

    Selection Plan

    FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:
    Please read or watch our Applicant Tips on How to Apply!
    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.
    • 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.
    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 Alyssa Hovanec via email at Alyssa.Hovanec@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 supervising the delivery of specialized counseling service to clients in a behavioral health treatment program.

    EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

    • Schedules, assigns, oversees and reviews work of staff; 
    • Provides staff training and assistance; 
    • Conducts performance evaluations of lower level counseling staff; 
    • Determines priorities and plans unit work; 
    • Establishes and maintains unit procedures; 
    • Develops or makes recommendations on development of policies and standards; 
    • Acts as liaison with other operating units, agencies and outside officials regarding unit policies and procedures; 
    • Prepares reports and correspondence; 
    • Conducts and/or oversees counseling services to alcohol and drug dependent clients; 
    • Coordinates counseling services; 
    • Assists in selection of counseling staff; 
    • May oversee case management activities; 
    • May assist in supervision of a rehabilitation facility; 
    • May coordinate program operations as necessary; 
    • May serve as liaison with service providers to assure comprehensive integrated care; 
    • May represent program at community events and seminars; 
    • Performs related duties as required.

    KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

    • Considerable knowledge of
      • physical, psychological, social, family and economic effects of substance abuse; 
      • counseling principles and techniques; 
      • relevant agency policies and procedures; 
      • relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; 
      • community resources; 
      • confidentiality provisions; 
    • Knowledge of infectious diseases; 
    • Considerable
      • interpersonal skills; 
      • oral and written communication skills; 
    • Ability to prepare statistical reports; 
    • Supervisory ability.

    MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

    Licensure as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor by the Connecticut Department of Public Health and two (2) years experience at the level of Certified Addiction Counselor.

    MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

    Certification as a Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS) by the Connecticut Certification Board may be substituted for the General Experience.

    SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

    • Incumbents in this class who are licensed must maintain licensure as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor by the Connecticut Department of Public Health.
    • Incumbents in this class who are certified must maintain certification as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor by the Connecticut Department of Public Health and certification as a Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS) by the Connecticut Certification Board.
    • 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 possess advanced training in the area of sexually transmitted disease, tuberculosis and blood borne pathogens.
    • 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 be exposed to communicable and/or infectious diseases and risk of injury from assaultive and/or abuse 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.