Certified Addiction Counselor (40 Hour) (Office/On-site)

Introduction

\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nA role for Certified Addiction Counselors who are committed to providing structured, recovery‑focused support in the community.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) has an opening for a Certified Addiction Counselor (PCN 26130) in the Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACT) at Southeastern Mental Health Authority (SMHA) in Norwich.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSchedule\r\n\r\n\r\n First shift: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM\r\n Full‑time, 40 hours per week\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWhat We Can Offer You\r\n\r\n\r\n Comprehensive state employee benefits\r\n Access the State Employee Benefits Overview page to explore available options\r\n Professional growth and development opportunities\r\n A commitment to promoting a healthy work/life balance\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPosition Highlights\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Provides counseling services to individuals with alcohol and drug dependence\r\n Screens clients for program eligibility and assesses strengths, needs and treatment goals\r\n Orients clients to the treatment program and participates in individual and group counseling\r\n Delivers case management and crisis intervention services to support safety and stabilization\r\n Educates clients on substance use issues and coordinates referrals for medical or psychological care\r\n Other duties as assigned\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nA comprehensive medical examination, including drug screening, is required following a conditional offer of employment. All state employees must comply with Connecticut’s Drug‑Free Workplace Policy.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAbout Us\r\nDMHAS is dedicated to promoting the health and wellness of individuals with behavioral health needs through an integrated, holistic network of services that foster dignity, respect, and self‑sufficiency.\r\n\r\n\r\nSMHA provides high-quality behavioral health services to those in our community with mental health and substance use disorders who are 18 years or older and reside in New London County and its surrounding towns.\r\n\r\n\r\nACT Teams deliver highly responsive, individualized, recovery-based and rehabilitative services in the client’s natural environment.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:�\r\nCheck out our�Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources?� Visit our�Applicant Toolkit�for additional support throughout the recruitment process.�\r\nBEFORE YOU APPLY:�\r\n\r\n 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. �\r\n 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 by the closing date listed on the job posting.�\r\n 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.�\r\n 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.�\r\n 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.�\r\n 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.�\r\n\r\n\r\n 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.\r\n\r\nAFTER YOU APPLY:�\r\n\r\n Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates—such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links—please check your�Personal Status Board�regularly.\r\n For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select “Update My Contact Information.”\r\n 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).� �\r\n\r\n\r\n 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!�\r\n 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.��\r\n The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.��\r\n 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.\r\n\r\n\r\n This employer may participate in E‑Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information to confirm work authorization.\r\n\r\nQUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP:�\r\nDue 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 Ben Beaudry at benjamin.beaudry@ct.gov.�\r\nJoin the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!\r\n

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Departments of Mental Health and Addiction Services and Veterans' Affairs this class is accountable for providing specialized counseling services to clients in a behavioral health treatment program.\r\n

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

\r\n\r\n Provides counseling services to alcohol and drug dependent clients;�\r\n Screens clients to determine eligibility for programs;�\r\n Assesses strengths, weaknesses and treatment needs;�\r\n Orients clients to treatment program;�\r\n Participates in treatment planning and individual and/or group counseling;�\r\n Responsible for case management activities;�\r\n Provides crisis intervention services in response to emotional and/or physical distress;�\r\n Makes referrals to outside or other programs for medical and/or psychological intervention;�\r\n Maintains confidential reports and records of client data;�\r\n Represents program at community events and seminars;�\r\n Educates clients on substance abuse issues and availability of resources;�\r\n Consults with service providers to assure comprehensive integrated care;�\r\n May escort clients;�\r\n May provide coverage duties;�\r\n May collect urine for drug screening;�\r\n Performs related duties as required.\r\n\r\n\r\n

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

\r\n\r\n Knowledge of\r\n \r\n physical, psychological, social, family and economic effects of substance abuse;�\r\n counseling principles and techniques;�\r\n community resources;�\r\n confidentiality provisions;�\r\n infectious diseases;�\r\n \r\n \r\n Considerable\r\n \r\n interpersonal skills;�\r\n oral and written communication skills;�\r\n \r\n \r\n Ability to gather, analyze and evaluate information pertinent to treatment, diagnosis and rehabilitation of an individual.\r\n\r\n\r\n

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Certification from the Connecticut Department of Public Health as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor and three (3) years of experience involving risk reduction education and counseling to assist alcohol and drug dependent individuals.\r\n

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

\r\n\r\n Licensure from the Connecticut Department of Public Health as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor may be substituted for the General Experience.\r\n For state employees three (3) years of experience as a Certified Addiction Counselor Trainee may be substituted for the General Experience.\r\n\r\n\r\n

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

\r\n\r\n Experience providing substance abuse assessments, interventions, and treatment for individual with substance use disorders\r\n Experience connecting client to various levels of substance abuse treatment, such as inpatient detoxification, rehabilitation, methadone maintenance, etc.\r\n Experience facilitating substance abuse groups and individual substance abuse counseling\r\n Experience working with clients in accessing community resources/entitlements and in securing and maintaining housing\r\n Experience working with clients who are pre-contemplative and contemplative in their recovery\r\n\r\n\r\n

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

\r\n\r\n Incumbents in this class must retain the certification and/or licensure outlined above.\r\n 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.\r\n Incumbents in this class may be required to speak a foreign language or be fluent in American Sign Language.\r\n Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid driver's license.\r\n Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.\r\n\r\n\r\n

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 exposed to communicable and/or infectious diseases and risk of injury from assaultive and/or abusive patients.\r\n

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER\r\nThe State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.\r\n

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.\r\n