"Alerted.org

Recovery Support Specialist (40 Hour)

Office/On-Site

Recruitment # 250708-5729FK-001

Location Bridgeport, CT

Date Opened 7/11/2025 12:00:00 AM

Salary $52,427* - $71,073/year (*New state employees start at the minimum)

Job Type Open to the Public

Close Date 7/21/2025 11:59:00 PM

Go Back Apply View Benefits (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/jobs/?b=Benefits)

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+ Introduction

Are you a certified Recovery Support Specialist?

Join our team and use your expertise to provide guidance, support, and education that transforms lives. Apply today!

THE POSITION

The State of Connecticut (https://portal.ct.gov/) , Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services ( DMHAS (https://portal.ct.gov/DMHAS/About-DMHAS/Agency/About-DMHAS) ) is now hiring for a Recovery Support Specialist (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/specs/classspecdisplay.asp?ClassNumber=5729FK&R1=&R3=) to join their Young Adult Services (YAS) Team! This position will support individuals so that they can achieve individualized goals for successful community living.

As a member of YAS team, the Recovery Support Specialist provides peer support to individuals. The support is based on mutuality and sharing a common recovery perspective and language with the client. This position will provide education, support, and coaching to young adults and help c onn ect clients to community-based supports and resources. This position will serve as an advocate and guide the client in following tasks outlined in their recovery plan. This position will also participate in rehabilitative and recovery-oriented interventions to meet client needs and goals and provide information, instruction and skill training in recovery management. This position will accompany clients to medical/clinical appointments in a peer capacity and provide outreach and transportation as needed.

HIGHLIGHTS

+ FACILITY: Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System ( SWCMHS (https://portal.ct.gov/DMHAS/SWCMHS/Agency-Files/SWCMHS) )

+ LOCATION: Greater Bridgeport Community Mental Health Center ( GBCMHC (https://portal.ct.gov/DMHAS/SWCMHS/Agency-Files/GBCMHC) )

+ ADDRESS: 1635 Central Avenue, Bridgeport, CT

+ UNIT: Young Adult Services (YAS)

+ SCHEDULE: Full-Time, 40 Hours per Week, First Shift, Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm

+ POSITION NUMBER: 131238

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

+ Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/jobs/?b=Benefits) page!

+ Work at a Forbes-recognized company! Connecticut is proud to be featured on both America's Best Employers by State and Best Employers for New Grads in 2024. With our dynamic job market and commitment to fostering a thriving workforce, Connecticut stands out as a top destination for both seasoned professionals and fresh graduates seeking to launch their careers.

+ Professional growth and development opportunities

+ A healthy work/life balance (https://www.jobapscloud.com/ct/sup/EVPPDF123020.pdf) to all employees

DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO

+ Provide coaching and guidance to assist individuals in identifying recovery goals, support networks, employment and/or educational opportunities;

+ Utilize your own lived experience as well as evidence-based Wellness Management techniques; and

+ Provide education around client rights and responsibilities, tools for recovery and management of mental health, substance use and medical issues.

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.

SWCMHS strives to provide high quality, compassionate and culturally competent mental health and substance abuse services to adults with behavioral health disorders who are indigent. With three locations throughout Fairfield County, SWCMHS, promotes and administers comprehensive recovery oriented services in the areas of mental health treatment and substance abuse prevention and treatment. These services include inpatient treatment programs and outpatient clinical services, as well as a wide range of additional supportive treatment services.

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 (https://portal.ct.gov/das/-/media/das/statewide-hr/a---z-listing-task-pdfs/drug-free-workplace-policy--february-2016.pdf) .

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:

Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library (https://portal.ct.gov/das/home/services-for-state-employees/statewide-human-resources/applicant-reference-library?language=en\_US) 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 (https://www.cga.ct.gov/2021/act/pa/pdf/2021PA-00069-R00SB-00056-PA.pdf) , 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 [email protected].

+ 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 Jensine Tran at Jensine.Tran ([email protected]) @ct.gov.

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

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services this class is accountable for using shared life experiences and recovery management techniques to engage, motivate, educate and mentor clients in achieving individualized goals for successful community living.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

+ Guides clients through the process of defining personal goals for their recovery plan using existing evidence-based workbooks or person-centered planning tools;

+ Supports and guides clients in following tasks outlined in their recovery plan (i.e., pursuing goals related to employment, education, community involvement and the use of natural supports);

+ Guides clients in identifying and exercising their rights;

+ Participates in rehabilitative and recovery-oriented interventions to meet client needs and goals;

+ Provides information and support to clients and encourages their development of community networks and activities relating to community integration;

+ Provides instruction and skill training in recovery management to clients and families;

+ Acts as a peer health navigator to engage clients who have, or are at risk for, co-morbid medical conditions in wellness activities;

+ Supports clients to secure information about resources relevant to their wellness;

+ Supports clients in obtaining services that meet their recovery needs;

+ Supports clients in dealing with internal and external stress;

+ Attends medical/clinical appointments with clients in a peer capacity;

+ Accompanies clients as peers on volunteer opportunities and activities;

+ Organizes and conducts workshops on topics related to recovery and wellness including New Employee Orientation at the local level;

+ Observes and reports clients’ behavior;

+ Prepares and submits incident or other related forms;

+ Updates clients’ notes in the medical record as required;

+ Enters computerized data as required;

+ May coach adaptive client behaviors through verbal communication;

+ May provide outreach and transportation;

+ Performs related duties as required.

INPATIENT SETTINGS:

In addition to the duties listed above, the responsibilities move from providing one-on-one peer support to demonstrating and coaching the client through the development of coping and community adjustment skills and linking the client with important community resources, including:

+ Accompanies clients off the unit and on to the hospital campus or community to practice entering unexpected situations and managing stress and disorientation;

+ Accompanies clients on day passes to the community to acclimate the client to their new community;

+ May provide coverage at Peer Desk Center to engage and offer peer support to the general hospital population.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

+ Knowledge of

+ community support systems and resources;

+ person-centered planning, Wellness Recovery Action Planning and other recovery management techniques;

+ the principles and procedures of psychiatric rehabilitation;

+ Considerable

+ interpersonal skills;

+ oral and written communication skills;

+ Ability to

+ observe and redirect client behavior;

+ utilize computer software.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Six (6) months of experience working in the mental health and/or substance use recovery field.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

Six (6) months of experience as a Recovery Support Specialist Trainee may be substituted for the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

+ Experience working in the mental health and/or substance use recovery field;

+ Experience with the principles and procedures of psychiatric rehabilitation;

+ Experience working with community support systems and resources;

+ Experience with person-centered planning, Wellness Recovery Action Planning, and other recovery management techniques;

+ Experience with observing and redirecting client behaviors; utilizing oral and written communication skills;

+ Experience utilizing interpersonal skills

+ Experience using WORD and EXCEL computer software;

+ Experience using an Electronic Medical Record;

+ Ability to transport clients

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

+ Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a recovery support certification.

+ Incumbents must adhere to the DMHAS Peer Support Ethical Guidelines.

+ Incumbents in this class may be required to be bilingual or fluent in American Sign Language.

+ Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

+ Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and maintain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license.

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.

Click on a link below to apply for this position:

Fill out the Supplemental Questionnaire and Application NOW using the Internet. Apply Online