Correctional Substance Abuse Counselor

Introduction

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

The Department of Correction (DOC) is recruiting for  Correctional Substance Abuse Counselors (CSAC) for our Addiction Servcies Unit located within our MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution in Suffield, CT.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• Visit our NEWState Employee Benefits Overview page!
• 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;
• The 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;
• A Hazardous Duty pension plan (State Employees Retirement System Tier IV);
• Professional growth and development opportunities;
• A healthy work/life balance for all employees!

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS

• This position is full-time, following a first shift schedule, Monday - Friday, 7:45 AM - 3:00 PM with one late day 12:45 PM - 7:45 PM, located at our MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution.
• This position is based out of Central Office in Wethersfield, CT and will report to the facility for work independently performing a full range of tasks in the provision of specialized individual or group substance abuse counseling services to offenders. 
• The 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. 
• 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): 
• Garner Correctional Institution - Newtown, CT / Bridgeport Correctional Center - Bridgeport, CT / Brooklyn Correctional Institution - Brooklyn, CT / Cheshire Correctional Institution - Cheshire, CT / York Correctional Institution - East Lyme, CT / Willard-Cybulski Correctional Institution - Enfield, CT / Robinson Correctional Institution - Enfield, CT / Hartford Correctional Center - Hartford, CT / Corrigan Correctional Center - Montville, CT / New Haven Correctional Center - New Haven, CT / Osborn Correctional Institution - Somers, CT / Manson Youth Institution - Cheshire, CT

The Connecticut Department of Correction is a diverse agency with a wide variety of employees from Correction Officers, to Educators, to Managers and Skilled Professionals. We value differences that make us stronger as a team and support our mission statement. 

The Connecticut Department of Correction (DOC) is the agency responsible for corrections in the U.S. state of Connecticut. The agency operates 13 correctional facilities. It has its headquarters in Wethersfield. The DOC protects public safety by ensuring offenders serve their sentences of imprisonments in facilities that are safe, human, and provide re-entry programming.

The State of Connecticut, Department of Correction is a unified system; all sentenced and un-sentenced offenders are supervised by the DOC. The Department also provides supervision for offenders on parole, community release, and other discretionary release programs.

For an inside look at what it's like to work as an employee for the State of Connecticut, please watch the video below!

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:

Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our 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 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.
• 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:

• 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.

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 Alejandro G. Dávila-Hurtado at Alejandro.Davila-Hurtado@CT.Gov. 

Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!

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 in Criminal Justice setting;
• Experience with Group and individual counseling;
• Experience with Crisis Intervention; and
• Experience of 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.