STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Correctional Substance Abuse Counselor

Certification/License Required

Recruitment #240328-8440CO-001

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Introduction



Are you looking to grow your career with the State of Connecticut? If so, take a look at this great opportunity below!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Correction (DOC) is recruiting Correctional Substance Abuse Counselors (CSAC) for our Addiction Services Unit located within our Manson Youth Institution in Cheshire, CT.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
In addition, the State puts an emphasis on:
  • Providing limitless opportunities;
  • Hiring for diversity and fresh perspectives;
  • Performing meaningful work and;
  • Encouraging a healthy work/life balance!
POSITION HIGHLIGHTS
  • This recruitment will be used to fill positions in correctional facilities located throughout the State at various locations (listed below) on first shift or second shift (7:45 AM - 3:00 PM with one late day 12:45 PM - 7:00 PM, OR 2:00 PM-9:00 PM Monday - Friday):
  • Shift differentials are available for second shift hours.
  • The immediate need is to fill a full-time position, second shift, 2:00 PM - 9:00 PM, 36.25 hours per week, scheduled Monday - Friday, located in our Addiction Services Unit within our Manson Youth Institution in Cheshire, CT.
  • The CSAC position independently performs a full range of tasks in the provision of specialized individual or group substance abuse counseling services to offenders. 
  • Selected candidates will be required to attend a 14 week hazardous duty training at the Maloney Center for Training & Staff Development located in Cheshire, CT. 
ABOUT US 
The Department of Correction shall strive to be a leader in progressive correctional practices and partnered reentry initiatives to support responsive evidence based practices geared toward supporting reintegration and reducing recidivism under the Department's supervision. Safety and security shall be a priority component of this responsibility, coinciding with an unwavering respect for the human dignity of staff, victims, citizens and offenders. 

For an inside look at what it is like to be an Employee for the State of Connecticut, watch the video below!

 

Selection Plan

Before you apply:
  • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must be a current State of CT employee, who has worked for the state for at least six (6) months of full-time service or full-time equivalent service, absent any applicable collective bargaining language, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening.  You must specify your qualifications on your application.
  • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.
  • The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
  • Ensure that your application is complete and detailed before submitting it. In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process. You will not be able to make revisions once your application is submitted into the JobAps system.
  • 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.
  • For assistance in applying please read or watch our Applicant Tips on How to Apply!
Important information for after you apply:
  • 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 questionnaire'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.
  • 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.
  • 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, 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.
  • For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from branch to branch but it does not impact your state service credit.

Questions about this position should be directed to Alejandro G. Davila-Hurtado at Alejandro.Davila-Hurtado@CT.Gov.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a Department of Correction facility or community setting this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks in the provision of specialized individual or group substance abuse counseling services to offenders.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Coordinates offender rehabilitation program within facility or community setting;
  • Provides intensive counseling services to alcohol and drug dependent offenders;
  • Screens offenders to determine eligibility for programs;
  • Assesses strengths, weaknesses and treatment needs;
  • Orients offenders to treatment program; 
  • Participates in treatment planning and individual and/or group counseling;
  • Periodically checks offender progress and recommends changes;
  • Performs case management activities;
  • Provides crisis intervention services in response to emotional and/or physical distress;
  • Makes referrals to programs for medical and/or psychological intervention;
  • Ensures adherence to infection control practices;
  • Conducts census checks;
  • Develops and maintains comprehensive treatment files including treatment plans and progress notes, discharge summaries, crisis intervention and referrals;
  • Assists in program development and implementation;
  • Assists other staff in performing difficult or hazardous investigations;
  • Prepares detailed reports for classification committees and other groups evaluating offender progress;
  • May test and evaluate offenders at any state of correctional process in terms of psychological, educational, vocational, social and medical needs;
  • May be required to coordinate volunteer programs;
  • May physically restrain inmates, quell disturbances and otherwise assist security forces in emergencies;
  • May be required to collect urine samples and/or conduct on-site urinalysis to determine offender drug and/or alcohol usage;
  • May educate offenders on substance abuse issues and availability of resources;
  • May escort offenders;
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Considerable knowledge of
    • addictions, recovery and/or relapse prevention; 
    • sociological and psychological concepts with emphasis on analysis of criminal behavior;
    • social, emotional and economic factors which contribute to criminal behavior;
    • counseling and interviewing techniques;
    • individual and social factors relating to personal adjustment;
  • Knowledge of
    • community resources;
    • current correctional practices including inmate classification systems and parole process;
  • Considerable
    • interpersonal skills;
    • oral and written communication skills;
  • Ability to
    • prepare clear and concise reports and case histories;
    • organize time, set priorities and manage workload;
    • utilize computer software.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Certification from the Connecticut Department of Public Health as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor and three (3) years of experience in casework and/or counseling with some work with clients/offenders with behavioral healthcare issues.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

  • Three (3) years as a Correctional Substance Abuse Counselor Trainee may be substituted for the General Experience.
  • Licensure from the Connecticut Department of Public Health as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor may be substituted for the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience working in a criminal justice setting;
  • Experience with group and individual counseling;
  • Experience with Crisis Intervention; and
  • Experience with Medicated Assisted Treatment.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Incumbents in this class must possess and retain Certification OR Licensure from the Connecticut Department of Public Health as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor.
  • Incumbents in this class are required to possess a high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certification at the time of appointment.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to successfully complete a formal training course in correctional work to develop the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the class.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to speak a foreign language.

CHARACTER REQUIREMENTS

In addition to the checking of references and of facts stated in the application, a thorough background investigation of each candidate may be made before persons are certified for appointment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Incumbents in this class must have general good health, be free from any disease or injury which would impair health or usefulness and retain sufficient physical strength, stamina, agility, endurance and visual and auditory acuity required to perform all the duties of the class.
  • A comprehensive medical examination, including a controlled substance screening, will be required of all applicants upon a conditional offer of employment.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to considerable danger of injury or assault by offenders.

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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