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Professional Counselor (40 Hour)

Office/On-site

Recruitment # 251117-6355FP-001

Location Bridgeport, CT

Date Opened 11/25/2025 12:00:00 AM

Salary $86,261* - $116,571/year (*New state employees start at the minimum)

Job Type Open to the Public

Close Date 12/4/2025 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 Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)?

Bring your expertise to a team where your work truly makes a difference!

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 seeking an skiolled and dedicated Professional Counselor (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/specs/classspecdisplay.asp?ClassNumber=6355FP&R1=&R3=) to join our team. In this role, you will provide direct patient care through education, counseling, and thorough documentation of treatment and patient progress. Your contributions will support recovery and improve lives across our community.

HIGHLIGHTS

+ DIVISION: Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System (SWCMHS (https://portal.ct.gov/dmhas/swcmhs/agency-files/swcmhs) )

+ LOCATION: Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team

+ ADDRESS: 100 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport, CT

+ SCHEDULE: Full-Time (40 Hours per week), 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (First Shift), Monday through Friday

+ POSITION NUMBER: 99990

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

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

+ Professional growth and development opportunities

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

DISCOVER THE OPPPORTUNITY TO

+ Apply your counseling expertise as part of a comprehensive team of caring professionals

+ Support a division dedicated to improving the mental health and well‑being of those we serve

+ Empower clients to overcome challenges and achieve meaningful success

+ Make a lasting impact through service in the public sector

+ Collaborate in a supportive, multidisciplinary team environment

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.

MORE ABOUT THE FACILITY AND UNIT:

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.

The Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team provides clinical services to clients with acute needs. This unit provides care at the most intensive level of outpatient services for adults.

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) .

Start with us. Stay with us. Grow with us.

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 Alyssa Hovanec at Alyssa.Hovanec ([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 a state agency behavioral health program as part of a multi-disciplinary team at one or more locations this class is accountable for independently providing clinical counseling services.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

+ Functions as a member of the multidisciplinary team and provides clinical care to a caseload of clients with acute needs in the community and home environments;

+ Provides case management services to assigned clients, including but not limited to entitlements, housing, basic needs, transportation, and engagement in the community;

+ Provides behavioral health home and targeted case management services according to the department and agency requirements and standards;

+ Provides individual and group supportive counseling, education and skill-building to clients in the community and develops and composes client Recovery Plans;

+ Collaborates and cooperates with clients' treatment team members, including natural supports, and assists with the implementation of client recovery plans;

+ Documents services in the DMHAS/SWCMHS EHR and completes assessments per agency policies and procedures;

+ Collaborates and participates in all treater’s meetings with outside providers;

+ Provides outreach and engagement in the community;

+ Provides crisis intervention in collaboration with internal and external service providers;

+ Provides liaison services to clients who are in transition from long-term inpatient beds to community living;

+ Participates in treatment planning meetings, team meetings, staff meetings, risk committee meetings, and case conferences as scheduled;

+ Transports clients to appointments and conducts home visits when needed;

+ Uses DMHAS/SWCMHS email and computer software applications;

+ Complies with all relevant regulations, standards, policies and procedures, and guidelines;

+ Performs related duties as required (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/specs/classspecdisplay.asp?ClassNumber=6355FP&R1=&R3=)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

+ Knowledge of

+ principles, methodology, casework and techniques of counseling, interviewing and psychosocial assessment;

+ family and interpersonal relationship dynamics;

+ values, sanctions, purposes and ethics of professional counseling work;

+ community resources;

+ Considerable

+ interpersonal skills;

+ oral and written communication skills;

+ Ability to devise and implement a treatment plan with measurable goals that address client needs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Licensure as a professional counselor in the State of Connecticut.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

+ Experience in a community-based outpatient mental health and substance use disorder treatment

+ Experience with clinical best practices including crisis assessment, and risk assessment.

+ Experience working in an environment which embraces a global cultural environment of diversity

+ Experience partnering with community providers, local hospitals, Police Departments, and outpatient clinical teams

+ Experience using Microsoft applications

+ Experience using an Electronic Medical Record (WITS) and other proprietary software

+ Ability to transport clients

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

+ Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a license to practice professional counselor work pursuant to Sec. 20-195 (a-f) of the Connecticut General Statutes.

+ Incumbents in this class may be required to have knowledge of sign language and communication ability with the deaf and hearing impaired in certain designated positions.

+ Incumbents in this class may be required to have ability in Spanish oral and written communication in certain designated positions.

+ Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to some risk of injury from assaultive and/or abusive clients.

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