Certified Addiction Counselor (40 Hour) (Office/On-site) - #251124-2351FX-001

Connecticut; Norwich; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

A governmental health department in Norwich is seeking a Certified Addiction Counselor to provide counseling and recovery support to individuals facing substance use and mental health challenges. The role requires a certification as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor and three years of relevant experience. Join a committed team dedicated to client wellness and community resource connection. This full-time position offers a structured work schedule within a collaborative environment.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits

Professional growth opportunities

Healthy work/life balance

Qualifications

• Three years of experience in counseling and risk reduction education.
• Certification from the Connecticut Department of Public Health.

Responsibilities

• Provide counseling and case management services to clients.
• Connect clients to resources and facilitate treatment options.
• Prepare reports and maintain client data records.

Skills

Counseling principles

Case management

Knowledge of substance abuse effects

Interpersonal skills

Education

Certification as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor

Job description

Introduction

Elevate your career as a Certified Addiction Counselor! ? Join the State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) as a Certified Addiction Counselor. In this pivotal role, you'll provide counseling, case management, and recovery support to individuals facing substance use and mental health challenges within our Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) program. As a part of a collaborative team, you'll help clients access treatment, build recovery plans, and connect to community resources - making a meaningful impact in their journey toward wellness. Explore the details below and take the next step in your career!

Position Highlights

• DIVISION: Southeast Mental Health Authority (SMHA)
• UNIT: Assertive Community Treatment (ACT)
• LOCATION: 401 West Thames Street, Norwich, CT
• SCHEDULE: Full-time (40 hours weekly), Monday - Friday, First Shift, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
• POSITION NUMBER: 26130

Why the State of Connecticut

• Explore our comprehensive State Employee Benefits Overview to see what we offer
• Enjoy endless opportunities for professional growth and development
• Embrace a healthy work/life balance tailored to all employees

Discover the Opportunity To

• Be a vital part of a compassionate team supporting individuals with substance use and mental health challenges
• Provide hands‑on counseling and case management that empowers clients in their recovery journey
• Connect clients to essential resources, treatment options, and stable housing
• Make a meaningful impact in public behavioral health
• Collaborate daily with a multidisciplinary team committed to dignity, respect, and wellness

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. SMHA is a community mental health agency serving adults in Bozrah, Colchester, East Lyme, Franklin, Griswold, Groton, Ledyard, Lisbon, Montville, New London, North Stonington, Norwich, Preston, Salem, Sprague, Stonington, Voluntown, and Waterford providing high‑quality behavioral health services to those with mental health and substance use disorders. Services offered include case management, outpatient behavioral health, crisis intervention, respite care, and forensic services. SMHA is responsible for administering all DMHAS contract funded behavioral health services in southeastern Connecticut. The ACT Team is a multidisciplinary clinical team that delivers comprehensive services to clients who are diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness and whose needs have not been met by more traditional service delivery approaches. Individuals served by the ACT team have often experienced frequent psychiatric hospitalization and use of hospital emergency rooms, involvement with the criminal justice system, substance abuse, and lack of engagement with traditional outpatient services. By basing treatment in the community, the team can better assist the client with challenges they face. The team provides community support services interwoven with treatment and rehabilitative services and regularly scheduled team meetings with the goal of individualizing client care. Please note: A comprehensive medical examination, including a drug screening, will be required of all applicants upon a conditional offer of employment. All state employees must adhere to Connecticut’s Policy for a Drug‑Free Workplace.

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING: Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Toolkit 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 by the closing date listed on the job posting. 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 [e-mail]. 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 Alyssa Hovanec at [e-mail]. Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!

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.

Examples of Duties

• Provides counseling and case management services to clients suffering from substance abuse and mental health concerns.
• Orients clients to treatment programs.
• Participates in treatment planning and assists staff with treatment plans for clients with substance abuse issues.
• Recommends interventions regarding substance abuse concerns.
• Educates staff on substance abuse issues.
• Responsible for case management activities, recovery planning, all ACT team required documentation including WITS notes and other clinical records.
• Maintains confidential reports and client data records, conducts staff training and assistance with substance abuse issues.
• Acts as a liaison with other teams and outside agencies.
• Prepares reports and correspondence.
• Facilitates substance abuse groups for ACT team and SMHA agency clients.
• Provides individual counseling services for alcohol and drug dependent clients.
• Coordinates counseling services for clients.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skill and Ability

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

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.

Minimum Qualifications - Substitutions Allowed

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

Preferred Qualifications

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

Special Requirements

• Incumbents in this class must retain the certification and/or licensure outlined above.
• 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 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 exposed to communicable and/or infectious diseases and risk of injury from assaultive and/or abusive 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.