Correctional Substance Abuse Counselor

• 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.

• 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.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.

• 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.

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